Carmel Unveils Flag Made From Retired Fire Hoses
Carmel's fire department now displays a handcrafted American flag built from hoses retired from service.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Philanthropy
Carmel unveiled an American flag made from retired Carmel Fire Department hoses during a National First Responders Day ceremony on October 28. The flag hangs on the third floor of CFD headquarters at 210 Veterans Way.
Why it matters
The display honors firefighters past, present, and future while repurposing equipment that would otherwise be discarded. It is the 160th flag made by its creators, showing the ongoing work of a volunteer-driven effort tied to first responder families.
The flag is the 160th made by Rob Demlow and Scott Carr, and all 50 stars in its blue field are cut from Carmel Fire Department hoses. The source does not report how many hoses were used in total or the cost of production.
The players
Brotherhood Designs
A nonprofit co-founded by Rob Demlow and Scott Carr that makes handcrafted flags from retired fire hoses and funds programs for first responder families.
Carmel Fire Department
The municipal fire department of Carmel that retired the hoses used in the flag and now displays it at its headquarters.
The details
Demlow and Carr, firefighters with the Fishers Fire Department and co-founders of Brotherhood Designs, handcraft each flag from retired fire hoses. One hose displays the original marking "CFD A954," and small holes or rips remain visible in the finished piece.
Timeline
Brotherhood Designs launched in 2022.
Brotherhood Designs became a nonprofit in 2025.
Carmel unveiled the flag on October 28, 2026, during National First Responders Day.
Legacy Equipment
The flag follows a pattern of fire departments reclaiming retired gear for memorial and community use rather than discarding it. Brotherhood Designs, a nonprofit formed in 2022 and recognized in 2025, extends that practice into a recurring series of handcrafted flags.
Residents who want to support first responder families can donate to Brotherhood Designs, which funds flag materials, production, and programs. The flag is on public view on the third floor of CFD headquarters at 210 Veterans Way in Carmel.
The takeaway
Retired equipment can carry lasting meaning when it is repurposed with care. Donations to Brotherhood Designs help fund both the flags and programs for first responder families.
Further reading
Explore more Carmel philanthropy stories to see how local donors and volunteer groups support first responder families.
More information
Learn more about the makers and how to donate on the Brotherhood Designs website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Current Publishing.
