The firefighters of MC Axe and the Firecrew know they can always count on “crew mom.”

The central Indiana-based fire safety performers have relied on Ginny Storar for nearly everything for more than 20 years. The Center Grove-area resident books their performances at schools and events around the country. She finds them hotels and arranges transportation.

All of the work is volunteer. Without her, the group couldn’t make the impact it does.

“In reality, Ginny’s work has saved far more lives than we can even count. That’s why I call her a firefighter. She’s earned that,” said Chad Abel, a longtime member of MC Axe and the Firecrew and counselor with the Indiana Burn Camp.

Now, the firefighters have been able to give something back to Storar. For her volunteer dedication to the organization, Storar was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash, an honor presented to people who have rendered distinguished service to the state or the sitting governor.

Storar proud to have received the recognition, not so much for herself but more for the attention that it can bring to the work of MC Axe and the Firecrew.

“We hear from the parents, these kids pay attention to the programs. We heard from one parent that their daughter wouldn’t leave them alone until they checked their smoke detectors. Another child made their family have a fire plan,” she said. “So when we hear about that going on, you know they’re learning.”

MC Axe and the Firecrew was established in 1991 by the Fishers Fire Department as a way to educate children about important fire and life safety skills.

Using music, comedy and the natural connection between children and dogs, the firefighters who volunteer their time to perform teach children important fire and life safety skills such as what to do in the event of a house fire, how to stop, drop and roll, what do with matches and lighters and a number of other important skills.

“It started as a gateway to reach kids when dealing with fire prevention. If you’ve ever been to a fire prevention program, oftentimes it’s good stuff, but it’s usually a firefighter in uniform standing in front of the group and just talking about fire safety. Fishers Fire Department came up with a unique way to convey the message,” Abel said.

Now a program of the Hoosier Burn Camp, they travel to schools and other facilities to do a 45-minute, high-energy show that kids can relate to. They repurpose popular songs to deliver a fire safety message; for example, their song “Stop, Drop and Roll” is performed to the tune of “Shake, Rattle and Roll.”

A pair of black Labrador puppies show kids skills such as feeling a door to see if it’s hot, and how to crawl under smoke.

“No one gets paid, it’s all volunteer. The dedication of these guys and women is out of sight,” she said. “They’re just outstanding. I’ve been so glad to have been associated with them.”

Service is a key part of Storar’s life. She has given her time to the Department of Natural Resources, is an active supporter of the Center Grove community and was inducted into the Indiana University President’s Club.

She first encountered the group during a Smokey the Bear fire safety program at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. She wanted to bring them to Brown County State Park, where she was a volunteer.

The more she interacted with the group, the more Storar learned that MC Axe and the Firecrew was struggling with scheduling.

“The firefighters were getting too busy. They do these programs on their days off, so this is just all on their own time,” she said. “We met with some of the Fishers Fire Department, and talked about what we could do to continue this program.”

Storar, with the help of others, held auditions and revved the group back up. She also took over the role of crew mom — scheduling the programs, feeding the firefighters, telling them what uniforms to wear on which day, and dozens of other tasks to keep the group going.

“Basically, all the firefighters have to do is roll their equipment in, set up, perform, roll out and be on their way,” she said.

Over more than 20 years, Storar has been the engine driving the organization. Along the way, she’s had more incredible experiences than she can count.

MC Axe and the Firecrew often travels around the country to perform at the elementary schools in communities where firefighters have died during service. They have performed in Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Illinois, West Virginia and Pennsylvania to do honorary shows.

In 2007, they came to Charleston, South Carolina, where nine firefighters had been killed during a massive fire at a sofa store. One of those firefighters had originally been from southern Indiana.

“That quite an emotional time,” she said.

The group likes to tease Storar, particularly about her short stature. One time, they tried to short-sheet her bed during an out-of-state show; she had the last laugh.

“I was so short, I didn’t even notice,” she said.

But to the firefighters of MC Axe and the Fire Crew, she truly is one of them. That’s why earlier in 2022, they wanted to nominate her for Sagamore of the Wabash. Storar announced she was retiring as crew mom, though she would still be associated with the group.

Members of MC Axe, as well as those associated with the Hoosier Burn Camp, all agreed that they would try to get Storar that honor.

“We had a meeting talking about the future. As we started looking at her long tenure with MC Axe, and how much she had done for the program, heeding the mission of fire prevention education to so many kids throughout the state and really throughout the country,” Abel said. “We felt it was appropriate to honor her in some way.”

In the nomination letter written for Sagamore of the Wabash, Abel, a member of the group who had known Storar since she was his den mother in Cub Scouts, wrote, “Ginny Storar has never donned a set of turnout gear, climbed on a fire engine as it leaves the station or crawled down a smoke-filled hallway to search for a child trapped in their bedroom. But rest assured, Ginny Storar is every bit the firefighter that the rest of us are. She had devoted a great deal of her personal time to ensure the safety of children across the State of Indiana and the country through her work with MC Axe and the Fire Crew.”

Storar learned that she would receive the award in July, and in September, she received the Sagamore of the Wabash along with Abel; Mark Koopman, Indiana Burn Camp executive director;Joel Thacker, executive director of Indiana Department of Homeland Security; and Stephen Jones, state fire marshal.

“I was shocked. I had no clue,” Storar said. “When (Koopman) told me, he said later that it was the first time in his life that he knew me to be speechless.”