Frequently Asked Questions

You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers

General Questions

  • Yes. Brotherhood Designs Corporation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

  • Every dollar helps us honor first responders while they're still here to see it. Your donations fund flag materials and production, support charitable programs for first responder families, and help us bring Flag Crawls to communities across the country. We're committed to transparency—if you'd like a detailed breakdown of how we put your generosity to work, just reach out.

  • We'd love to hear from you. Whether you're a business looking to sponsor a Flag Crawl, a fire department with hose to donate, or a brand that shares our mission of honoring those who serve, there's a place for you in the Brotherhood. Head to our [Partner With Us/Contact] page or email us directly—let's talk about how we can do something meaningful together.

  • There are a lot of ways to join the mission. You can volunteer at an event, spread the word on social media, nominate a first responder deserving of recognition, or donate retired fire hose from your department. Every hose has a story—and every person who helps tell it becomes part of ours.

  • You can donate directly through our Join the Mission page. Whether it's a one-time gift or a recurring contribution, your support helps us continue honoring the men and women who answer the call.

  • Our EIN: 33-2348341. You'll receive a donation receipt for your records.

  • Because honoring those who serve shouldn't wait until a funeral. We transform retired fire hose—hose that's been through the same calls as the firefighters who carried it—into handcrafted American flags that tell a story of service. Your donation doesn't just fund a flag. It funds recognition for the living. It funds programs that give back to first responder families. It funds a mission built by firefighters who believe heroes deserve to be celebrated while they're still here to see it.

Product/Flag Questions

  • Our flags are crafted using high-quality backers, fasteners, hardware, and adhesives to ensure durability and longevity. We source retired fire hose exclusively from fire departments that participate in and support our Retired Fire Hose Waste Reduction Program.

    When requested, we can also work with specific departments to source retired hose tied directly to a particular apparatus or community—helping us create a meaningful legacy piece that tells a hero’s story.

  • In most communities across the country, retired fire hose is disposed of in landfills, as there are currently no widely available recycling programs for this bulky, highly durable material.

  • Yes.  Most departments are very willing to send retired hose to BDC to help create a legacy piece.

  • At BDC, depending on the projects that are ahead of your piece, it may take up to 2 months, however we may be able to create your piece much sooner.

  • We can.

  • Because each flag is custom-made, returns or exchanges are not always possible. However, on a case-by-case basis, BDC may be able to offer an exchange if the customer covers all shipping and handling costs.

Purchase to Support

Hose Donation

  • You can fill out the form on our website at https://brotherhooddesigns.org/donations and/or email mail@brotherhooddesigns.org and start the conversation of potentially donating retired fire hose.

  • Retired from service in communities around the US. Donated hose CANNOT be saturated with hazardous materials such as diesel and gasoline.

  • The satisfaction of knowing that you did your part in keeping a bulky material from wasting away in a landfill and to help create legacy stories of honor and sacrifice.

Donate

Events/Flag Crawls

  • Currently, Brotherhood Designs sponsors two Flag Crawls: #FishersFlagCrawl and #NashvilleFlagCrawl. Each crawl features locations that proudly support patriotism and Brotherhood Designs’ mission.

    Visit the flags at participating venues, take a photo (selfie, group shot, etc.), and share it on social media. Be sure to tag the venue AND Brotherhood Designs Corporation—and we’ll send you a FREE BDC Flag Crawl t-shirt as a thank-you for participating.

  • If you have venues in your local city that would support patriotism and we can get at least 3 different locations to participate, your city can have a BDC Flag Crawl.

  • The Flag Crawls are ongoing and are always available to those who visit the venues on the crawl lists.

Upcoming Events

Recognition/
Nominations

  • Yes.

    If you would like to honor a local first responder with a custom BDC Designs retired fire hose flag, the process is simple:

    1. Purchase a flag or secure a sponsor to fund the project.

    2. Connect BDC with the local fire department if retired hose from the same department is available and desired.

    3. Coordinate with BDC on timing, design details, and any meaningful elements to personalize the flag.

  • Absolutely.

    BDC is committed to honoring those who serve and the families who stand behind them. Whether recognizing a Line of Duty Death (LODD) or honoring a family member’s service from years past, we approach every piece with care, respect, and gratitude. Our artwork is designed to tell stories of service and sacrifice, and we would be honored to help share theirs.

  • Yes, we do.

    Not only can we customize any series of our retired fire hose American Flags, but we also offer customizable Patriotic Address Signs (PAS) that can honor years of service, retirement, or departmental pride. What began as a patriotic way to display your address has become a meaningful recognition piece celebrating service to community and country.

    We’re proud to partner with our home department in Fishers, Indiana, where the city contributes a set amount toward a PAS at every five-year service milestone. By 25 years of service, the sign is fully paid for through the city’s gift program—creating a lasting symbol of appreciation for a lifetime of service.