Fire Chief Brant Yochum
Experience
Fire Chief Brant Yochum has been a member of the fire service for many years. He began his career in January 2004 at the Vincennes Township Fire Department as a Junior Firefighter. He was a volunteer member and worked part-time.
Chief Yochum became a full-time firefighter with the City of Washington, Indiana in April 2011.
In August 2013, Chief Yochum moved back to his hometown fire department. At Vincennes Fire Department, Brant served as firefighter, EMT, Captain of Training, and Battalion Chief. He served the department for 18 years and was a Lieutenant for 13 of those years.
Chief Yochum began at Effingham Fire Department in January 2022.
Education
Chief Yochum holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Science from Purdue University Global and an Associates of Science degree in Fire Science from Vincennes University.
Certifications
- Chief Officers I, II, III, and IV
- Safety Officer
- Fire Service Instructor I, II, and III
- Certified Emergency Medical Technician
- Firefighter II
Assistant Fire Chief Matthew Kulesza
Experience
Assistant Fire Chief Matthew Kulesza started has been a member of the fire service since 1996. He started out as a volunteer firefighter at St. Peter Fire District and served them for four years.
Assistant Chief Kulesza moved to Watson in 2000 and became a firefighter for Watson Fire Protection District. He worked up the ranks and was promoted to a captain and then Chief for Watson starting in 2005. He served the Watson Fire Protection District for 16 years.
In 2016, Kulesza began at Effingham Fire Department as Assistant Chief and Fire Prevention division.
Certifications
- Advance Technician Firefighter
- Fire Officer I, II
- Fire Inspector I,II
- Fire Service instructor I, II
- Hazardous Material Incident Command
- Safety Officer
- Fire Investigator
- Vehicle Arson Investigator