There’s nothing quite like the energy that builds during FDIC week - and this year, it all came to life once again in Indianapolis. From April 7-12, 2025, tens of thousands of fire and rescue professionals gathered for the world’s largest fire industry conference, and we were proud to be right in the middle of it all.
For the Whelen team, trade shows like FDIC are more than just an opportunity to showcase our products - they’re a chance for us to connect with the people who rely on them every single day. We work hard to create a meaningful experience at every show, and this year’s booth was no exception. Whether it was your first time visiting us or you’re a longtime supporter, we hope you felt the same pride we did standing among the community of first responders we’re honored to serve.
Honoring the Fallen: NFFF Car Reveal
One of the most powerful moments of the week, and one of our highlights of the year, took place during the unveiling of the commemorative No. 2 Whelen Chevy Camaro, created in partnership with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and Richard Childress Racing (RCR). This year marked our fourth collaboration with NFFF and RCR, and the tribute car once again carried the names of fallen firefighters - 140 in total - displayed on the decklid in their honor.
Victor Stagnaro, CEO of NFFF reflected on the impact of the partnership: “We are deeply honored to partner with Richard Childress Racing and Whelen Engineering to pay tribute to the 140 firefighters who gave their lives in service to their communities. Seeing the NFFF logo on the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet Camaro at FDIC International is a powerful reminder of their sacrifice — and a meaningful way to share their legacy with thousands of fire service professionals and supporters across the nation.”
The ceremony was held at 12 p.m. on Thursday, April 10th, in our booth and was live streamed on Facebook for those who couldn’t be there in person. Visit our Facebook page to watch the video!
As in past years, the reveal was a deeply meaningful experience. Attendees gathered around the car, many pausing to reflect on the names displayed. These firefighters will soon be honored at the 2025 NFFF Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and we’re proud to carry their legacy forward in this visible and heartfelt way.
“This tribute embodies Richard Childress Racing and Whelen Engineering’s deep respect for the firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty and serves as a powerful symbol of steadfast support for their families,” says Bill Hinton, Program Manager for NFFF. “Behind every name is a story of courage and commitment. By honoring them in this way, we keep their memory alive and inspire future generations to carry their mission forward.”
See this car in action when Jesse Love races it in honor of America’s fallen heroes at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, NC, on October 4, 2025!
An All-New Booth Experience
We were proud to debut a refreshed booth design at FDIC 2025 that brought our industry-leading technology and commitment to first responders to life in a bold new way. From the moment the convention center opened, visitors were drawn in by the dynamic displays and hands-on opportunities to explore some of our most trusted and advanced solutions.
The booth featured dedicated areas for warning lights like our M Series™ and Hundred Series™, powerful white illumination options like our EZ Scene® Lights, and industry favorites including the Arges® Remote Spotlight, Field Series® Brow Light, Core® Control Systems, and the Whelen Cloud Platform®. Interactive elements and product demos gave attendees the chance to experience our technology in action, while video displays provided deeper insight into the engineering and features behind each product.
Of course, one of the best parts of the booth was our team - on hand throughout the show to answer questions, walk through product capabilities, and connect with attendees face-to-face.
Whether you came to see something specific or just stopped by to say hello, we’re grateful for every interaction and proud to have created a space that sparked great conversations and celebrated the innovation driving our industry forward.
Visit our Facebook Page to get a tour of this year’s booth!
A Glimpse at What’s Next
In addition to the NFFF car unveiling, FDIC 2025 also gave some attendees a chance to get an early look at several new and updated Whelen products. Select visitors were invited to preview some of the innovative technology we’ve been developing behind the scenes - an exciting opportunity to see what’s next in emergency vehicle lighting and control systems.
From updated optics and new form factors to smarter control capabilities, the response to our newest advancements was overwhelmingly positive. We also used the opportunity to gather direct feedback from those who rely on our products every day. These insights are incredibly valuable and continue to shape the way we design, build, and improve our solutions.
“Having the opportunity to get our concepts in front of customers is priceless,” says Whelen Product Manager, Jon Sestrom. “The information we gather during these meetings helps ensure that we are in fact developing products that will have an impact to our end users’ safety.”
Whether you caught a sneak peek during a private session or heard about it on the show floor, it was clear that momentum is building around our next wave of innovation. We’re looking forward to sharing more in the months ahead, and we’re grateful to those who took the time to share their thoughts with us.
We’re looking forward to sharing more details in the coming months, but FDIC 2025 was a fantastic way to kick off the conversation, and we’re just getting started.
Thank You, FDIC
FDIC 2025 was another incredible opportunity to come together, remember the fallen, and look ahead to what’s next. We’re deeply grateful to NFFF, RCR, Clarion Events, and everyone who made this year’s event so meaningful.
Most of all, thank you to the first responders who stopped by, shared their stories, and reminded us why we do what we do.
“FDIC 2025 was a tremendous success,” says Whelen’s Matt Kehoe, Director of Fire, EMS, and Amber Sales, reflecting on the event. “We received enthusiastic feedback from customers who continue to recognize and appreciate Whelen’s commitment to innovation and advancing safety. And we were proud to be part of one of the most meaningful moments of the event and appreciated the heartfelt reception to our tribute honoring fallen firefighters and supporting their families with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.”
FDIC 2025 was certainly one for the books! If you missed it, you can still watch the car reveal on our Facebook page and follow us on social media for more highlights and behind-the-scenes moments.
We’re already looking forward to FDIC 2026 – hope to see you there!