Guy S. Coombs
Founding- Lifetime Member

Retired Fire Chief Coombs “Guy” was our department’s first fire chief which was established in 1997 and retired as our chief in 2013. With over 25 years of fire service, a certified Firefighter and Fire Service Instructor his loyalty to his community and county didn't stop there as he served in many public and community service positions before, during and after such as Henry County Magistrate, farmer, business owner and longtime member of Henry Simpson Masonic Lodge.   Being known for his chronic jovial personality and easy-going approach he never knew a stranger and never turned a blind eye to someone in need. This demeanor is what made him successful and held in such a high regard by his personnel. He saw the need, had the vision, led and coordinated the creation of the Lake Jericho Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department Inc. which started out as a substation of the City of New Castle Volunteer Fire Department in a loyal members barn and through time led and coordinated the charge to the crafting of the building we are housed in today.

Clinton Vinup
Lifetime Member

Assistant Fire Chief Clinton Vinup; a member of the department since a teenager. With more than 20 years of fire service experience, this third generation traditional, yet progressive fire service veteran is serving not only in his chosen life pursuit as a career but in the volunteer service that he firmly believes in. He has dedicated countless hours and made many personal sacrifices to ensure his department's overall success. He has served in each rank up through and including the position of Operations Division Assistant Fire Chief within our department. Assistant Chief Vinup was responsible for establishing our first Cadet Firefighter program, First Responder Quality of Care initiative, and Public Fire Education Programs, as well as authoring a comprehensive Emergency Operations Assessment and Risk Management plan. These accomplishments coupled with being instrumental in re-affirming and forging a lasting solid partnership with our outside mutual aid agencies both in and out of our county as well as being instrumental in the many needed changes that are still appreciated and used to date. His loyalty and dedication in revitalizing and improving our agency training and special operations program has assisted in setting the bar in establishing a recognizable industry standard approach which provided not only real progression but ensures our members safety and the highest of customer service approach.  In a partnership with the Director for Henry County EMS established from its incipiency a successful much needed Fire Department based basic and advanced first responder program for our district residents. He continues to be an asset, mentor, and inspiration to other firefighters and officers in not only our department but in surrounding areas. Therefore in 2015 he was bestowed the privilege and honor of Lifetime membership.  “CC” as affectionately known by our department, by way of his obvious genuine love and loyalty to his service, his ability to handle all challenges with humility, humor and a easily recognizably genuine great sense of humor in everything he does which is felt and appreciated by all with whom he comes in contact. Being not only a Nationally Registered Paramedic/ Educator , International Fire Service Accreditation Congress and National Professional Qualifications Fire Board certified Instructor in multiple administrative and operational Fire, Specialized Technical Rescue & Emergency Medical Services disciplines; he also holds an Associate’s degree in Fire Science Technology and a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration.  This speaks volumes as to why he is not only loved and respected by all with whom he comes in contact with but held with such a warm regard.

Scott Vinup
Lifetime Member  

"Fire Chief” Scott Vinup (Retired) has had an effect, for the better, on virtually every technical, administrative, operational aspect and member of our department.  Fire Chief Vinup is widely regarded as a go to and in some cases a one stop shop for Fire & Emergency services related questions, advice, or past precedent industry accepted fireground operational & risk management practices. As a noted hardcore, no non-sense “traditional" aggressive fireground tactioner; progressive Firefighter, accomplished Fire Officer, Educator and Leader; Chief Vinup has made it his goal and his mission to ensure that everyone serving within the fire service he comes in contact with understands that Mission, Vision and Values aren’t just words, they are a way of life. If you have ever attended one of his lectures or aka "Tailboard Talks" ; you no doubt have heard the importance of owning errors, learning from them and sharing with others so that they never venture down an alley that is unnecessary. The phrases that are always heard by those in which he comes in contact is " It's a Beautiful Fire Service Day, Everything Else Is Secondary ", “You must stand up and Progress our Fire & Emergency Services Forward”, “Learn it, Respect It, Live it, Teach it, and Mentor it”. Chief Vinup has devoted his entire life in service to others which was not limited to serving at a very young age as a cadet firefighter, attending a hands on all entailing high school vocational firefighting program, enlisted and served active duty military, serving in both career and volunteer fire & emergency services organizations progressing through to the ranks of Fire Chief in both. He is a longtime avid supporter, and advocate of the Boy Scouts of America Exploring program, founder of several successful junior, explorer and cadet firefighter and law enforcement programs that yielded countless career and volunteer fire service, public safety officers and career Chiefs. His over 30 year dedication as a Supervisory Investigator for a non-profit legal foundation that was dedicated to the revitalization of Fire & EMS agencies, performing forensic investigations and pre-trial litigation preparation. Although, now retired; Chief Vinup continues to profess and demonstrate his love and loyalty to the service that has given him so much. As he had in the beginning of his service he continued to serve with the same demonstrated humility which he learned and served with as a trendsetter and mentor for so many of not only our own membership, firefighters, officers,  but to various fire departments and leaders across the nation.  He continually demonstrated devotion to the education and mentoring of youth and  aspiring young leaders within the emergency services industry. In his lifetime, obtaining Bachelor degrees in Fire Administration as well as Public Administration and credentialing in multiple disciplined areas including International Accreditation and National Professional Qualifications Fire Board certifications and specialty Fire and Emergency Services Instructor in multiple areas. It is for all these things mentioned and so many other reasons that he is without a doubt one our most beloved, revered, and treasured assets and members.

James "Opie" Tomlinson
Lifetime Member

Past Fire Captain James Tomlinson most affectionately known as “Captain Opie”; a lifetime member of our department. Whose presence and contributions have sustained and played a part in the solidified progression of how our department provides the services that it does today. “Captain Opie” comes to us from a extensive volunteer fire service background beginning in the late 90’s. Not only does he have well over 20+ years in the fire service but he still today serves the department in administrative and support roles that ensures it’s high caliber continuity of service. Our Captain “Opie's” steadfast loyalty and extreme desire to service his department and community has been an omni-present trendsetter for our department family. His leadership, calm demeanor and sense of humor has resonated throughout our department even during our most darkest of hours. That is why this and so many other of his attributes that he was bestowed one of our departments most highest of privilege.

Jason “Our Schlenzie” Schlenz
Lifetime Member
 

Lifetime Member and Past Lieutenant Jason Schlenz, most affectionately known as “Our Schlenzie,” whose very presence and ongoing contributions have helped sustain and shape the solid, fast-paced, and responsible progression of how our department provides service today.

Known as our department’s very own in-house “MacGyver” due to his instinctive ability to address every challenge with a creative and ingenious approach, he often leaves those presenting the challenge scratching their heads in amazement. He is one of the strongest on-scene practitioners of technical rescue operations and adds greatly to our complement of specialized rescue professionals.

Past Lieutenant Schlenz is known for his analytical nature, quick wit, quiet demeanor, and kindness, all of which give those serving alongside him a sense of calm during any storm. Through any trials and tribulations he may experience, you would never know it because of his humble and honest character.

He is admired for his dedication to his family, his fire department, and especially his convictions and beliefs. His can-do attitude, constant peaceful smile, and reassuring presence make “Our Schlenzie” one of the true favorites of our fire department family.