FRANKFORT, Ind. (July 30, 2025) – The Frankfort Fire Department has officially welcomed Raphael Eduardo “Eddie” Morales as its newest firefighter, marking a significant milestone as the department’s first known bilingual firefighter. His hiring was ratified by the Board of Public Works and Safety during its Monday meeting.
Fire Chief Matt Stidham presented Morales to the board, expressing great pride in his addition to the department, noting his unique ability to speak two languages. The board formally ratified Morales’s hiring date as July 21, 2025. The motion to approve was seconded and unanimously passed by roll call vote, with Mayor Sheets, Greg Miller, and Jim Skinner all voting “I”.
Morales brings a strong local connection and educational background to his new role. He is a graduate of Frankfort High School and has completed his EMT basic course, as well as his Firefighter One and Two certifications. Chief Stidham shared a personal anecdote, revealing that Morales was one of the children involved in the “Big Brother, Big Sister” program at the fire department many years ago, where firefighters like Josh Uitts participated. Morales began his in-class training immediately upon hire, attending rope and confined space tactical classes in Lafayette.
