I have over 18 years of experience in fire and emergency medical services. Currently, I serve as the full-time Division Chief of Technology and Logistics for Vernon Township Fire Department (VTFD) in Hancock County, Indiana, where I am also active as a firefighter, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), drone pilot, inspector, investigator, and safety officer.
Throughout my time in the fire service, I have been fortunate to gain experience across different types of departments, including:
- Rural and fully volunteer departments
- Combination departments with career and volunteer members
- City and municipal fire departments
Getting Started in Fire and EMS
My fire service career started in college. Indiana University (IU) required a certain number of credit hours in natural sciences, and the Emergency Medical Technician course counted toward these. So, instead of taking Biology or Chemistry, I chose to take the EMT class and obtained my State of Indiana Emergency Medical Technician–Basic (EMT-B) certification in 2008.
- 2006–2008 | Intra-Collegiate Emergency Medical Service: I was a member of IC-EMS, a student group that provides non-transport, standby emergency medical coverage at university events.
- 2008 | Bloomington Township Fire Department: I joined BTFD as a volunteer firefighter and EMT. It was there that I fell in love with the fire service. I am forever thankful to the department, its amazing instructors, and its fantastic training facility for helping me discover this passion and sharpen my skills.
- 2008–2012 | Bloomington Township / Northern Monroe Fire Territory: I served as both a volunteer and part-time staff member, filling in for career firefighters during time off. During this time, I became a Hazardous Materials Technician, served on the department’s Haz-Mat Team, and was a member of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s District 8 Haz-Mat Render Safe Team.
- 2009 | IU Health Bloomington Hospital Ambulance Service: I joined as a part-time EMT-B, serving on an Advanced Life Support transport ambulance. I was also a member of the department’s bicycle medic team, which was heavily utilized during Indiana University football games to provide quick-response medical coverage in the tailgate fields and surrounding campus areas.
Continuing to Serve in Boone County
After college, I moved to the Zionsville area for full-time employment. In 2012, I joined Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department and the City of Lebanon Fire Department.
- 2012–2016 | Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department: I served as a volunteer Firefighter/EMT and as the department’s liaison to the Boone County Fire Investigation Task Force.
- 2012–2016 | City of Lebanon Fire Department: I served as a Reserve Firefighter/EMT. As a reserve, I was required to provide 24 hours per month on station and respond to all-call pages as necessary. I was also a member of the department’s Fire Investigation team and the Boone County Fire Investigation Task Force.
Serving McCordsville and Vernon Township
In 2016, our family moved to the McCordsville area, and I joined the McCordsville Volunteer Fire Department.
- 2016–2019 | McCordsville Volunteer Fire Department: I volunteered as a firefighter and was promoted to Lieutenant. I also served as the department’s Treasurer, training instructor, fire investigator, and a member of our Information Technology Committee.
- 2019 | Vernon Township Fire Department: The former Fortville and McCordsville Volunteer Fire Departments merged to become VTFD. I helped build and launch the new department, which initially used a combination of part-time and paid-per-run firefighters before transitioning to full-time career staffing in 2021.
- December 2024 | Director of Technology and Logistics: I joined VTFD full-time, working to implement technology systems, manage vendors and resources, and maintain operational readiness, with the goal of enhancing our capacity to protect and serve the community effectively and efficiently.
- August 2026 | Division Chief of Technology and Logistics: I was appointed Division Chief, continuing leadership of the department’s technology, cybersecurity, and logistics programs. My responsibilities include strategic planning, procurement, resource lifecycle management, operational readiness, and the department’s drone program.
Beyond technology and logistics, I continue to respond to emergencies and work across Training and Safety, Fire Prevention, and EMS as a firefighter, AEMT, instructor, inspector/investigator, and safety officer. I have also served as Interim Fire Marshal, conducting inspections, plan reviews, acceptance testing, and fire investigations.
Recent initiatives include launching VTFD’s drone program with a $10,000 grant from NineStar Connect’s Operation Round Up, establishing policies, training, and mutual-aid deployment capabilities. I have also led our transition to the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) and implemented cybersecurity assessment and monitoring services through state programs at no cost to the department.
Passing Along What We Learn
I am incredibly thankful to the many members of each of these departments, including my Chiefs, officers, instructors, and fellow members. I would not be where I am in the fire and EMS service today without you all.
I fully believe everyone in fire and EMS has a duty to pass along the knowledge and skills we have learned to the next generation. As an Indiana Fire and Emergency Services Instructor III, I welcome opportunities to teach, share practical experience, and learn from others. Please feel free to reach out if you have a need for courses, lectures, or training.