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MEET OUR DEPUTY CHIEFS
Jason Porter, Deputy Chief of Operations
Robert Phipps, Deputy Chief of Administration |
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JASON PORTER
Deputy Chief of Operations
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Jason Porter began his career with the Washington Township/Avon Fire Department in 2004.
During his career, he has focused a large portion of his career to truck company and rescue company operations, along with developing many programs to assist with Officer Development and Career Advancement planning. Jason has served the department in the ranks of Firefighter, Lieutenant, and Battalion Chief before his promotion to Deputy Chief of Operations in February of 2021. |
He brings a vast working knowledge of firefighting and technical rescue which he has gained from education and experience, both from within the department as well as from outside agencies. While assigned to Ladder 141, Jason began his association with the Hendricks County Rescue Task Force. He has been a member of the team since its inception. The task force is made up of members and equipment from the career departments of Hendricks County. Working together, technical rescue operations including rope, water, confined space, and vehicle/machinery extrication incidents are mitigated. The team primarily serves Hendricks County but has been called, on special occasions, to surrounding counties for mutual aid assistance for flooding and other water events.
Along with participation with the Hendricks County Rescue Task Force, Jason has been an active member of the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team Indiana Task Force One since 2012. Within Indiana Task Force One he has been on multiple Federal Deployments including Hurricane Matthew (Georgia), Hurricane Maria (Puerto Rico), Hurricane Florence (North Carolina), Hurricane Sally (Louisiana), Hurricane Delta (Louisiana), Hurricane Ian (Florida), and the Surfside Champaign Towers Condo Collapse (Florida). He has served as a Rescue Specialist, Squad Leader, and Heavy Equipment Rigging Specialist (HERS) on these deployments. He currently functions as a Rescue Team Manager.
Jason is certified as an Instructor II/III through the State of Indiana. He has utilized his education and experience to serve as an Instructor at the Fire Department Training Network (FDTN) since 2012. FDTN is a National Training Facility located east of Indianapolis where firefighters, company officers, and chief officers come from all over the world to learn under realistic fire ground conditions.
At the end of 2020/beginning of 2021, Jason served the department as a Recruit Class Training Coordinator. He utilized his experience, knowledge, and skills to coordinate and develop the fire portion of the fire department’s recruit academy program.
The Operations Division includes 93 operations members who work a 24/48-hour schedule on three different shifts (A, B, and C). The members safeguard the community from four different fire stations located throughout Washington Township / Avon, Indiana. Each station houses at least one piece of staffed fire apparatus along with an ALS staffed ambulance. Currently, the department staffs and operates 3 engines, 1 ladder truck, 4 ambulances, and 1 Battalion Chief vehicle daily. The department’s Fire Training and EMS Division are encompassed within the Operations Division.
Along with participation with the Hendricks County Rescue Task Force, Jason has been an active member of the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team Indiana Task Force One since 2012. Within Indiana Task Force One he has been on multiple Federal Deployments including Hurricane Matthew (Georgia), Hurricane Maria (Puerto Rico), Hurricane Florence (North Carolina), Hurricane Sally (Louisiana), Hurricane Delta (Louisiana), Hurricane Ian (Florida), and the Surfside Champaign Towers Condo Collapse (Florida). He has served as a Rescue Specialist, Squad Leader, and Heavy Equipment Rigging Specialist (HERS) on these deployments. He currently functions as a Rescue Team Manager.
Jason is certified as an Instructor II/III through the State of Indiana. He has utilized his education and experience to serve as an Instructor at the Fire Department Training Network (FDTN) since 2012. FDTN is a National Training Facility located east of Indianapolis where firefighters, company officers, and chief officers come from all over the world to learn under realistic fire ground conditions.
At the end of 2020/beginning of 2021, Jason served the department as a Recruit Class Training Coordinator. He utilized his experience, knowledge, and skills to coordinate and develop the fire portion of the fire department’s recruit academy program.
The Operations Division includes 93 operations members who work a 24/48-hour schedule on three different shifts (A, B, and C). The members safeguard the community from four different fire stations located throughout Washington Township / Avon, Indiana. Each station houses at least one piece of staffed fire apparatus along with an ALS staffed ambulance. Currently, the department staffs and operates 3 engines, 1 ladder truck, 4 ambulances, and 1 Battalion Chief vehicle daily. The department’s Fire Training and EMS Division are encompassed within the Operations Division.
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ROBERT PHIPPS
Deputy Chief of Administration
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Robert Phipps began his career with the Washington Township/Avon Fire Department in 2006.
He is a devoted firefighter with a career spanning over 21 years in total. He started his journey as a volunteer firefighter for his first four year before obtaining a full time position at WTAFD and quickly rose through the ranks to become a Paramedic, Lieutenant, Interim Battalion Chief, and most currently operating as the Deputy Chief of Administration. Robert's dedication and hard work have been widely recognized, and he is one of only 300 Fire Officers in the state holding the Fire Officer 4 certification. |
Throughout his career, Robert has showcased his unwavering commitment to the fire service while leaving no stone unturned to ensure the safety and wellbeing of his co-workers and community. He has obtained multiple Tech Rescue Certifications, demonstrating expertise in high-angle rope rescue, confined space rescue, and trench rescue. His in-depth knowledge and skills in these areas have been instrumental in controlling scenes and mitigating damage to life and property.
Robert's career path in the fire service covers nearly two decades of experience working as a firefighter, followed by five years as a Lieutenant, and a year as a Battalion Chief. His remarkable work as an Interim Fire Chief earned him the position of Deputy Chief of Administration, the latest in a series of promotions. This path of success is due in large part to his experience prior to and parallel with his fire service career. Chief Phipps started as a laborer since he was old enough to work and evolved to managing and owning companies in the construction trades industry with budgets in the millions of dollars.
As Deputy Chief of Administration, Robert is in charge of overseeing the daily operations and administrative duties of the fire department. He continues to be an exceptional leader on the front lines, providing invaluable guidance, support, and expertise to his team of firefighters. His passion for serving his fellow firefighters and community has been the driving force behind his many accomplishments, and his dedication serves as an inspiration to all those who work with him.
Robert's career path in the fire service covers nearly two decades of experience working as a firefighter, followed by five years as a Lieutenant, and a year as a Battalion Chief. His remarkable work as an Interim Fire Chief earned him the position of Deputy Chief of Administration, the latest in a series of promotions. This path of success is due in large part to his experience prior to and parallel with his fire service career. Chief Phipps started as a laborer since he was old enough to work and evolved to managing and owning companies in the construction trades industry with budgets in the millions of dollars.
As Deputy Chief of Administration, Robert is in charge of overseeing the daily operations and administrative duties of the fire department. He continues to be an exceptional leader on the front lines, providing invaluable guidance, support, and expertise to his team of firefighters. His passion for serving his fellow firefighters and community has been the driving force behind his many accomplishments, and his dedication serves as an inspiration to all those who work with him.
