The Seymour Fire Department has added two new firefighters to its ranks, bolstering its manpower to 42.
Andrew Murphy of Dudleytown and Chandler Christopher of Brownstown were sworn into their positions by Mayor Matt Nicholson during a Seymour Board of Public Works and Safety meeting last week.
Their first day on the job was Sunday. Both are working the A Shift at Fire Station 1 until they get their permanent assignments.
Fire Chief Brad Lucas said the city decided to increase its firefighters by one per shift in 2018 for a total of three new hires.
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Click here to purchase photos from this gallery“We were going to do one per year for three years,” Lucas said. “We did the first one. Then last year, it got omitted from the budget. Therefore, we are doing two this year.”
The department hasn’t increased staffing since 2003, he said.
“This will help properly staff our trucks,” he said. “We are still short per National Fire Protection Association guidelines, but this is a start.”
Murphy, 22, is a 2017 graduate of Brownstown Central High School and earned an associate degree in fire science from Vincennes University in 2019.
He has worked for the Greensburg Fire Department since June and A+ Outdoor Services since high school.
His interest in firefighting stems from his family.
“My dad was a volunteer firefighter for many years, and I was always interested in it,” Murphy said.
He’s looking forward to having the opportunity to build good working relationships with all of the firefighters and serving the Seymour community.
“I work well with people, and I enjoy helping people,” he said. “I believe I have the ability to perform the duties of a fireman.”
In the last few months, Murphy has completed training in breaching walls, extrications, ice water rescue and other areas.
“I’ve really enjoyed the training because I feel like I can use it to make a difference in my community,” he said. “I’m very humbled and honored to be serving the citizens of Seymour, and I’m looking forward to a very long, successful career.”
After working in construction as a carpenter in southern Indiana for the past decade, Christopher, 28, decided he wanted a change.
“I felt like it was time to serve the community I was raised in,” he said.
He is a 2011 graduate of Brownstown Central High School and earned an associates degree in carpentry from Ivy Tech Community College in 2017.
He received his EMT/Fire 1 and 2 certifications at the East Columbus Independent Fire Department.
When it comes to being a firefighter, Christopher said he has the confidence and determination required for the job.
So far, he has enjoyed the various amounts of training they’ve done this week.
“I’m just looking forward to being able to serve the city of Seymour,” he said.
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Name: Andrew Murphy
Age: 22
Residence: Dudleytown
Education: Brownstown Central High School (2017); Vincennes University (associate degree in fire science, 2019)
Occupation: New firefighter with the Seymour Fire Department
Family: Parents, Charlie and Danielle Murphy; sister, Erin Goodpaster
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Name: Chandler Christopher
Age: 28
Residence: Brownstown
Education: Brownstown Central High School (2011); Ivy Tech Community College (associate degree in carpentry, 2017); EMT/Fire 1 and 2 certifications from the East Columbus Independent Fire Department
Occupation: New firefighter with the Seymour Fire Department
Family: Wife, Kayla; son, Dawson, 2; parents, Jim and Pam Christopher; sister, Jami Christopher
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