Fire Prevention Division

The Prevention Services Division is composed of three subdivided areas of fire safety. Those areas are Fire & Life Safety Inspections, Fire Investigations, and Public Education. One Division Chief/Fire Marshal, one Deputy Fire Marshal, and three Investigator/Inspectors  are currently assigned to the division. Businesses within the jurisdiction are inspected when newly constructed and regularly thereafter according to hazard rating and occupancy type. The Prevention Services Division is also charged with the responsibility of investigating the origin and cause of fires and explosions. In that regard, personnel routinely interview witnesses, collect evidence, and assist with the prosecution of individuals suspected of arson. Finally, the division presents unique and innovative programs to the public to educate them in all areas of fire and life safety. This includes a robust pre-K and elementary school education program as well as an elderly and at-risk older adult education program.

It is our mission to safeguard our community through services designed to protect life and property from the perilous effects of dangerous conditions. Prevention Services supports this through prevention programs, life safety education, fire investigation, and enforcement of fire and building codes.

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Jonathan Kempler

Division Chief of Fire Prevention / Fire Marshal

Chief Kempler has been serving the community for over 20 years in numerous capacities within the fire service. He began his career in Atlanta, Georgia where he served as a Firefighter/Paramedic, Engineer, and ultimately a Sergeant overseeing the Arson Investigation section. With a majority of his family living in Indiana and a strong interest in the specialized area of fire prevention, Chief Kempler made the transition to Indianapolis where he joined the Pike Township Fire Department.

Throughout his career, he has achieved numerous academic and professional credentials including an Associate of Applied Science degree with high honors in Fire Management, a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Safety and Health with a focus in Fire Science and a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration. In addition, Chief Kempler holds certifications from the International Association of Arson Investigators and the National Association of Fire Investigators as a Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI), Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (NAFI-CFEI), Certified Evidence Collection Technician (IAAI-ECT), and Certified Fire Investigation Instructor (NAFI-CFII). Chief Kempler is a Licensed Indiana and Nationally Registered Paramedic, Indiana Firefighter I &II, Instructor I&II/III, Investigator, Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Specialist, Public Fire Educator, Fire Officer I&II, and Fire Inspector I&II. He is a graduate of the North Central Georgia Law Enforcement Academy and currently serves as a Lieutenant in the reserve division of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Chief Kempler is the President of the Indiana Fire Investigation Task Force.

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Joshua Kreigh

Assistant Fire Marshal 

Joshua Kreigh has been in public safety for over 20 years in numerous capacities in the fire service and as well as a police officer with various law enforcement agencies. He has a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Indiana University and has continued his professional education throughout his career in public safety, obtaining certifications both with the fire service and law enforcement. Josh holds certifications from the International Association of Arson Investigators, the National Association of Fire Investigators as a Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI), Certified Fire, and Explosion Investigator (NAFI-CFEI). He also holds certifications as an Indiana Firefighter I &II, Instructor I&II/III, Investigator, Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Specialist, Fire Officer I, II, III, IV, and Fire Inspector I&II. He is a graduate of the police academy in Missouri and additionally completed training to become an Indiana ILEA Tier I certified officer. He has numerous certifications as an instructor in both the fire and law enforcement fields.

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Tanya Pickett

Deputy Fire Marshal I

Tanya Pickett has been a member of the fire service since 2014 having previously served as a Deputy Fire Marshal and Public Educator for the Indianapolis Fire Department. She possesses extensive experience in code compliance and building construction. Investigator/Inspector Pickett holds an undergraduate degree in Public Safety and attends graduate school at Purdue University. Tanya has numerous state and national fire certifications, including Fire Inspector I/II, Fire Investigator I, Public Educator I/II, Youth Firesetter Prevention Management and Intervention Specialist I/II, Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) and NIMS 100-800. In addition to her state and national certifications, Investigator/Inspector Pickett is a certified Fire Investigation Technician through the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI-FIT).  Investigator/Inspector Pickett is a graduate of the Southport Police Academy. She currently serves as the building safety specialist for the Pike Township Fire Department and helps to coordinate inspections for new businesses in the community.

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Cade Berry

Deputy Fire Marshal III

Cade Berry holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire, Arson, and Explosion Investigation from Eastern Kentucky University along with a Master’s of Science in Safety, Security, and Emergency Management with a concentration in Homeland Security from Eastern Kentucky University. Cade holds the Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator certification through the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI-CFEI) of which he is a member and is a Fire Investigation Technician through the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI-FIT) where he is also a member. Cade holds several other certifications including Intro to Incident Command System (ICS-100), ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incident (ICS-200), National Incident Management System (ICS-700), and National Response Framework Introduction (ICS-800) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency along with Firefighter I and Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations. Investigator/Inspector Berry is a graduate of the Southport Police Academy. Cade is the past Secretary of the Central Indiana Fire Investigation Task Force.

Aside from Cade’s exceptional educational background and prior to joining Pike Township Fire Department, Cade gained valuable in-field knowledge and experience interning for Lexington Fire Department Fire Investigation Bureau in Lexington, Kentucky, and also served on his hometown fire department as a volunteer firefighter at Abingdon Fire Department in Abingdon, Virginia.

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Adam Brandlein

Deputy Fire Marshal I

Adam Brandlein has been in public safety for over 20 years in numerous capacities in the fire service. He has also served as a police officer with various Indiana law enforcement agencies. DFM Brandlein has continued his professional education throughout his career in public safety, obtaining numerous certifications both in fire protection and law enforcement. DFM Brandlein is an Indiana Certified Fire Investigator I. He also holds certifications as an Indiana Firefighter I &II, Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Specialist, and a Fire Inspector I&II. He is a graduate of the Marion County Sheriff’s Academy.

Samantha Scott

Community Risk Reduction Specialist

Samantha Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Health from Indiana University.   Growing up in Danville, IN, she is a Hoosier through and through.  Samantha has extensive experience in social work and working with public schools on all aspects of fire safety.  She has been with the Pike Twp. FD since 2019 and holds certifications in Fire and Life Safety Education, Car seat Education, and is a specialist in Youth Fire Setter Intervention.  Samantha also handles all of our community outreach and education programs, our car seat program, youth fire intervention program, smoke alarm installs, and aids in helping our fire prevention team with fire drills and general fire safety. She is very active in the community with PTFD, so if you see us at any community event, she will be there!

Ember

Fire Dog

Ember is the official fire dog of the Pike Township Fire Department. His designated handler is Chief Kempler and the two can often be seen together around the station or in the office. Ember was trained by Medical Mutts right here in Pike Township. He was trained in basic and advanced obedience and therapy dog techniques. Ember holds AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, AKC Canine Good Citizen, and AKC Canine Urban Good Citizen titles from the American Kennel Club. He is also certified as a facility dog with public access. Ember enjoys attending public events, meeting citizens, and enthusiastically greeting everyone around the station. 

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