Fire Dawgs Junk Removal lifts its employees to become a Top Workplace in Central Indiana

Michael Schroeder
·2 min read

When it comes to what’s taken out of houses to be disposed of or donated, there isn’t much that employees at Fire Dawgs Junk Removal haven’t seen. Apart from hazardous materials like aerosol cans they aren’t allowed to transport, they’re able to haul out most anything — trash to appliances to furniture.

Charles Greene, an operations manager in-training, who’s been with the company about a year, is still surprised by what people leave behind. That includes personal effects, like pictures, photo albums, clothes — even weapons and ammunition. “We find swords all the time,” Greene said.

But the job isn’t just about stuff. It’s about people.

The guiding principle the company operates on is to treat every customer like you would want your family to be treated, and Greene and others say that’s just how it goes in the field.

In its first year as a Top Workplace, the company received a special award — with surveyed employees agreeing their company operates by strong values.

See all the winners: Here are your 2022 Top Workplaces winners in Central Indiana

Employees at Fire Dawgs say they’re treated like family while, Greene notes, also supported and encouraged to put their own families ahead of work. That makes it easier to treat customers accordingly, so when already tough work takes on an emotional component — like helping someone who hoards make space in their lives for themselves, or removing items from a home for a person whose loved one has just passed away — employees say they feel they’re able to rise to the occasion.

Founded by firefighters and veteran owned, Fire Dawgs Junk Removal provides junk hauling, clean outs, demolition, labor only moving help, hot tub removal, shed tear downs, swing set removal, deck removal, brush removal, TV and appliance recycling and much more. Fire Dawgs is a full service junk hauling company proud to serve Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Muncie, Bloomington, Lafayette and all the surrounding areas. It was named a Top Workplace in The Indianapolis Star’s annual survey of Central Indiana workplaces. The results were tabulated by Energage, which surveyed employees.

“You have to have a servant’s heart if you’re going to do this job,” says Kim Tarter, business development manager at Fire Dawgs Junk Removal. “We’re going in and helping people that can’t help themselves in a lot of situations.”

Apart from those more dynamic, involved jobs, much of the work is routine, like taking a stowed mattress out of a garage or helping older residents clean out an attic or basement. So Tarter likes that the tone for typical work is lighthearted and fun. She also appreciates that the company prioritizes donating items to charity wherever possible.

Operating with integrity, being valued as an employee, along with professional development a standard part of the job, and having a positive work environment all make it easier to do the heavy lifting, employees say.

“If you go in thinking it’s going to be a great day, it’ll be a great day regardless of what kind of junk we get into,” Tarter laughed.

Bottom Line

  • Founded: 2001

  • Central Indiana locations: 1 (the company has one location in Indianapolis, in addition to locations in Lafayette, Bloomington and Fort Wayne)

  • Description: Full-service junk hauling and labor-only moving help

  • Employees in Central Indiana: 51

Michael Schroeder is a local freelance consumer journalist.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Fire Dawgs Junk Removal lifts its employees to be a 2022 Top Workplace