Command Staff
Chief of Rescue Bob Lewis (1991 – Present) bob.lewis@chcrs.orgChief Lewis is the only two time Chief of
CHCRS, having first served in 1995 through 1997 with his current appointment
beginning in 2011. Bob joined CHCRS in 1991, having applied after noticing the
squad working First Aid at the Riverbend Festival. He has served as the
Secretary for the Executive Staff for a time and served as both a Lieutenant
and a Captain of the Cave/Cliff Unit for many years. Bob met and married his
wife, Melissa, through their mutual involvement in volunteering with CHCRS. In
his life outside of rescue, Bob is the President and CEO of the East Tennessee
Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and a licensed EMT. He also enjoys running,
snow skiing and competing in triathlons.
Assistant Chief Buddy Lane (1977 – Present) buddy.lane@chcrs.orgAssistant Chief Lane joined CHCRS in 1977. Recruited
by the late Cave/Cliff Unit Captain Don Black, Buddy has served the squad as
the cornerstone of the Cave/Cliff Unit for almost 40 years. Buddy served as the
Captain of the Cave/Cliff Unit for 26 years before accepting his current role
as Assistant Chief. During this span, Buddy has been credited for the execution
of many highly publicized rescues and the recruitment of many of the most
talented rope rescue professionals in the U.S. which has bolstered the
Cave/Cliff Unit’s reputation as a world-class rescue team. In his life outside
of rescue, Buddy runs many small businesses including Lane Steel Fabricators.
Buddy also serves as a Director with the Southeastern Cave Conservancy, a
non-profit organization of which he is a founding member. He also has served as
the SCCi Treasurer for over 20 years. Buddy also enjoys caving and travel with
his wife Doranne and their two children.
Cave/Cliff Unit Captain Brad Tipton (1997 – Present) brad.tipton@chcrs.org Captain Tipton joined CHCRS in 1997 as a
member of the Cave/Cliff Unit. Recruited by former Lieutenant Dennis Curry,
Brad has served for the squad for nearly 20 years. Since 2009, Brad has served
as a Lieutenant and currently as the Captain of the Cave/Cliff Unit. Brad has
served as the head of member recruitment since 2008, bolstering the Cave/Cliff
Unit’s roster from 16 members in 2008 to 38 members at present. Brad has
responded to over 100 rescues with the Cave/Cliff Unit amounting to more than
1,000 hours total. In his life outside of rescue, Brad is employed by Pilgrim’s
Corporation and serves as their Director of Quality Assurance for the company’s
24 North American operations. Brad also serves as a volunteer Stewardship
Coordinator for the Southeastern Cave Conservancy, a non-profit organization
that protects and manages caves in the southeastern U.S. In his spare time,
Brad enjoys caving, mountaineering, mountain biking and traveling with his
wife, Wendy who is also the squad’s PIO.
Cave/Cliff Lieutenant Brian Krebs (1994 – Present) brian.krebs@chcrs.org Lieutenant Krebs joined CHCRS in 1994 as a
member of the Cave/Cliff Unit. Recruited by former Lieutenant Dennis Curry,
Brian has served the squad for over 20 years. Since 2007, Brian has served as
the Lieutenant of the Cave/Cliff Unit and has been instrumental in the
development of rescue members through advancements in training and organization
during this time. Brian also volunteers as an instructor for the National Cave
Rescue Commission where he teaches new rescuers the fine art of cave rescue. In
his life outside of rescue, Brian is the President and CEO of the Synergy Real
Estate Group in Franklin, TN. Brian also serves as a Director for the Southeastern
Cave Conservancy, a non-profit organization that protects and manages caves in
the southeastern U.S. In his spare time, Brian also enjoys caving, snow skiing
and traveling with his wife Emily and their two children.
Cave/Cliff Lieutenant Andy Voss (2003-Present) andy.voss@chcrs.org Lieutenant Voss joined CHCRS in 2003 as a
member of the Cave/Cliff Unit. Recruited by Dennis Curry, long time team member
and former Lieutenant, Andy has served as Lieutenant of the team since 2015.
Andy is a licensed paramedic and has served the Cave/Cliff Unit as the lead
medic for nearly a decade. Andy has extensive wilderness trauma experience and
his medical interventions have been responsible for saving the lives of many
trauma patients in CHCRS care. Outside of rescue, Andy is a deputy at the
Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department. He also serves as the department’s SWAT
medic. Cave/Cliff Unit Lieutenant Tim White (1998 - Present) tim.white@chcrs.org
Lieutenant White joined CHCRS in 1998 as a member of the Cave/Cliff Unit. Tim serves the caving community as the Southeastern Regional Coordinator for the National Cave Rescue Commission, which is committed to the training of cave rescuers all across North America.
Support Services Captain Anthony Ragland (1999 – Present)anthony.ragland@chcrs.org
Lieutenant Ragland joined CHCRS in 1999 as a member of Support Services. During his tenure Anthony has served in several capacities including, Lieutenant, Captain and Assistant Chief. Anthony currently serves as Lieutenant of the Support Services Division. Anthony is a licensed EMT-IV and worked for Hamilton County EMS from 1997 to 2014. Anthony is an instructor qualified to teach EVOC, Blood Borne Pathogens, Basic Vehicle Extrication and CPR. Anthony is also trained in trench, bus, big rig and structural collapse rescue.
Support Services Lieutenant Mark Rose (1994 - Present)
Communications Officer Melissa Lewis (1991 – Present) melissa.lewis@chcrs.org Melissa joined CHCRS in 1991 when she and
future husband Chief Lewis applied after seeing CHCRS providing medical
services at the Riverbend Festival. In her life outside of rescue, Melissa is a
licensed EMT employed by Lifeforce.
Public Information Officer Wendy Tipton (1999 – Present) wendy.tipton@chcrs.org Wendy joined CHCRS in 1999 as a member of the
Cave/Cliff Unit. Recruited by her future husband Captain Tipton, she has
participated in many rescues in the role of staging management and the
coordination of rescue resources. Wendy served as the Secretary of CHCRS from
2009 to 2012 and currently serves as the squad’s Public Information Officer. In
her life outside of rescue, Wendy works as a Lead Appeal Specialist for UNUM in
Chattanooga. Wendy also enjoys traveling, reading, photography and hiking.
Unit Director Jennifer Freeman unitdirector@chcrs.org Jennifer joined CHCRS is 2008 as a member of
Support Services. Recruited by Steve Freeman, Jennifer has been active in
maintaining regional ties to other rescue squads through her work with the
Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads (TARS). Jennifer is currently the Unit
Director, having replaced longtime Director Paul Wilkerson in 2012. Jennifer is
an instructor in Basic Life Support. In her life outside of rescue, Jennifer is
a Certified Medical Assistant. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with
her family and friends, watersports and the outdoors.
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