The City of Seymour is located one hour south of Indianapolis, one hour north of Louisville and one and one-half hours west of Cincinnati. Seymour, Jackson County, Indiana is the place to live your future! Seymour has a population of approximately 20,000 residents and is served by Mayor Matthew Nicholson, Clerk-Treasurer Darrin Boas and seven Councilmembers.
Seymour Fire Department's Cancer Screening Program Recognized as an AIM Program Innovation Award Winner
Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (AIM) has announced that the City of Seymour is the recipient of a 2025 AIM Program Innovation Award for its Fire Department Cancer Screening Program. The city was recognized during the Annual Awards Luncheon, presented by Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, on Wednesday, October 22, at the 2025 AIM Ideas Summit in French Lick. Seymour earned the award in the less than 25,000 population category.
The Seymour Fire Department has taken a proactive step to protect its firefighters by implementing an early cancer detection screening program in partnership with United Diagnostic Services. Beginning in 2024, all 45 active firefighters were offered non-invasive ultrasound screenings that examine the heart, thyroid, liver, kidneys, bladder, and other organs, with results delivered in about a week.
The impact of this initiative was realized immediately. One firefighter was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at an early stage, without symptoms, and successfully treated with minor surgery, returning to work shortly after. Without the screening, his condition may have gone undetected until it was far more advanced.
At a cost of about $350 per firefighter, repeated every two years, the program is a cost-effective and life-saving measure compared to cancer treatment. Supported by both the Union and city, Seymour’s innovation reduces risks associated with firefighting and demonstrates a strong commitment to firefighter health and safety.
“Firefighters are applauded, rightfully so, for running into danger to help others. In Seymour, the city has found an innovative and meaningful way to say, ‘it’s our turn.’ Affirmation was immediate, when the cancer screenings offered to first-responders yielded positive, lifesaving results. I’m proud of Seymour’s leaders for identifying a need and being a trailblazer among their municipal peers,” said AIM CEO Matt Greller.
The Program Innovation Award honors municipalities that have successfully developed and implemented creative new approaches to delivering services or conducting municipal operations. Awards are presented in multiple population categories based on nominations received.
In its 49th year, the AIM Annual Awards program, presented by Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors LLC, recognizes communities and individuals in municipal government for excellence and outstanding achievement. A seven-member panel of qualified judges selected this year’s winners from a competitive field of nominees from around the state.
