Command Staff

Chief of Rescue
Bob Lewis (1991 – Present)
bob.lewis@chcrs.org

Chief 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.org

Assistant 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.
 
 
 

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

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.