IN Rescuer Succumbs to 9/11-Related Cancer

The Indianapolis Fire Department announced the passing of retired Fire Captain Mark W. Rapp, 66, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Rapp was a founding member of Indiana Task Force 1 (IN-TF1) in 1995 and was an active member until 2017. As a leader of the Task Force, Rapp was deployed to New York City during the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, according to a Facebook post by the Indianapolis Fire Department.

Upon arrival, Rapp oversaw the IN-TF1 Search and Rescue Team, specifically assigned to the night operations during the 10-day deployment. He was also deployed to help with numerous natural disasters during his time on IN-TF1.

Rapp had an exemplary career as a firefighter lasting more than 40 years. He started as a volunteer firefighter in the City of Lawrence Fire Department and became a career firefighter in 1979 with the Indianapolis Fire Department.

Rapp was promoted to lieutenant in 1987 and promoted to captain in 2005 before finishing his career as the battalion chief of training, retiring in 2017.