Not Pictured: 3rd Lt. Lacy Kelp, Lane Rice.
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From left, Zach Alexander, 2nd Lt. Jonathan Catt, Chief Nick Kelp, President Adam Shelton, Captain Corey Ellegood, 1st Lt. Hunter Riebl, David Ratowitz, Rhonda Ellegood, Wesley Allen.
Not Pictured: 3rd Lt. Lacy Kelp, Lane Rice.
The first people you think to call in an emergency those who abandon their fight-or-flight instincts and run toward disaster — see you during your toughest moments, and help you through some of your biggest life challenges.
Local firefighters risk their lives daily to save and assist Brown County residents during house fires, car crashes, medical emergencies and other crises. They do a whole lot more than just rescuing cats from trees — although that job takes a brave and gentle soul.
Brown County firefighters are volunteers, meaning they are not paid for their services and are actively prioritizing supporting residents while working other jobs, raising families and going about their daily lives.
The Brown County Democrat is grateful for our six local volunteer fire departments that serve and protect our county and we believe in setting aside space to salute them. Help us as we recognize and thank the volunteers for Brown County, Southern Brown, Jackson Township, Hamblen Township, Cordry-Sweetwater and Fruitdale volunteer fire departments for their diligence and unwavering commitment to the Brown County community.
Those looking to donate to or volunteer at any of the departments can contact them using information below:
Brown County (Nashville) Volunteer Fire Department
231 E. Main Street, Nashville IN 47448
Phone: (812) 988-4242
Coverage area: Nashville and Washington Township. They also serve the majority of Brown County State Park and Yellowwood State Forest.
Meetings: First Monday of every month
From left, Zach Alexander, 2nd Lt. Jonathan Catt, Chief Nick Kelp, President Adam Shelton, Captain Corey Ellegood, 1st Lt. Hunter Riebl, David Ratowitz, Rhonda Ellegood, Wesley Allen.
Not Pictured: 3rd Lt. Lacy Kelp, Lane Rice.
Southern Brown Volunteer Fire Department
4040 State Road 135, Nashville IN 47448
Phone: (812) 606-8665
Coverage area: Van Buren Township
Meetings: First Tuesday of every month
From left, Chief Mike Morris, Trent Shutters, James Kimberlin, Wes Allen, Doug Tompkins, Jacob Ford, Steve Payne, Terry Miller, Joseph Hofmann, Sam Banter, Julie Banter
Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Department
4831 Helmsburg Road, Nashville IN 47448
Phone: (812) 988-6201
Coverage area: Jackson Township
Meetings: First Wednesday of the month
(2022 photo) Front row, from left: Firefighter Marilyn Burkhart, record officer Sara Wood, treasurer Tom Wood, communications officer Thomi Elmore, Lt. Todd Fisher, Summer Watson and Mike Bube.
Back row: Chief Glenn Elmore, Brandon Braunagel, Brian Braunagel, Sandy Murray, Capt. Roxanne Neibert, Austin Wagler, Kim Neibert and Tim True.
Not pictured: Eric Vicars, Brittany Vicars, Greg Dawe, Cathy Perkins, Gary Huett, cadet Alecia Perkins, cadet Alivia Suggett, Rob Allen, Art Howard, Windy Howard.
Hamblen Township Volunteer Fire Department
4650 Sweetwater Trail, Nineveh IN 46164
Phone: (812) 988-4063
Coverage area: Hamblen Township, except for the Cordry-Sweetwater area
Meetings: First Monday of the month
(2022 photo) Front, from left: Capt. Justin Griffith(with Walker Griffith), treasurer Karen Pierce, Jaxon Griffith, Dalton Griffith, associate member Madonna Kirby.
Back, from left: Firefighter and EMT Amber Griffith, Chief Arlan Pierce, Ricky Sebastian, First Lt. Billy Redmon, Daniel Fisher, Second Lt. James Fletcher.
Not pictured: Assistant Chief Dave Frensemeier, firefighter and EMR Taylor Childers, secretary Terry Lackey, firefighter and EMT Zeke Sizemore, firefighter and EMR Rich McGee, Wyatt Frist, cadet Toby Smith, cadet Jackson Reed, associate member Bryan Hall and lifetime member Roger Johnson.
Cordry-Sweetwater Volunteer Fire Department
101 Fire House Road, Nineveh IN 46164
Phone: (317) 933-2224
Coverage are: Cordry-Sweetwater Lakes
Meetings: Third Thursday of the month
(Photo taken in 2022) Top, from left: Assistant Chief Travis Hostetler, Charles White, McKenzie Callahan, cadet Oliver Wichlacz, Ryan Miller.
Bottom, from left: Firefighter and EMT Liam Sheehan, Logan Miller, Lt. Rodney Gunter, Bernie McGaha, ambulance captain Lacey Leavitt, Maude, Chief Michael Leavitt, Lt. Gregory Vavul, Larry Trueblood, firefighter and EMR Michael Fouch.
Not pictured: Chaplin Jon Lucas, ambulance lt. Lori Fitzgerald, trustee Phil Stephens, Gregg Gillentine, Taylor Cox, William Boyle, firefighter and EMT Julie Banter, firefighter and EMT James Burgess, Andrea Johnson, James Green, Sara Dicicco, John Hamlett, Samuel Banter, Dion Walter, hazmat operations Thomas Rhode, Ryan Slutz, Mary Fouch, Jack Junemann, Christopher Leavitt, Noah Hostetler, Charles White, cadets Baleigh Bennett, Allison Vavul, Kerralyna Bennet.
Fruitdale Volunteer Fire Department
5200 N. State Road 135, Morgantown IN 46160
Phone: (812) 988-1696
Coverage area: Jackson Township
Meetings: First Tuesday of the month
(2022 photo) Back, from left: Paul Goodrich, firefighter and EMR Greg Smith, Chief Kevin Sebastian, auxiliary Michelle Sebastian, E-board member Debby Goodrich, cadet Cadance Flynn, John Kohlepp, auxiliary Robert Jones, auxiliary Dan Harden, treasurer Vicki Harden, Assistant Chief Dave Demaree, Capt. Jimmy D. Norton, Kody Edwards, Chris Ainsworth, EMT Danielle Ainsworth, Beth Ann Knotts, Billy Knotts and Josh Rosebrock.
Front, from left: Firefighter and paramedic Kathy Smith, Lt. Dia Jones.
In the truck: Harper Jones and cadet Peyton Jones.