Prevention is the foundation of community risk reduction and life safety.

Headshot of a man in a white fire department uniform with badges and insignia, against a gray background.

Fire Marshal

Braden Prochnow

Fire Marshal Braden Prochnow has more than 30 years of fire service experience and joined the White River Township Fire Department in 2017. He oversees the Fire Prevention Division, which includes code compliance, fire investigations, plan reviews, and inspections throughout the construction process within the Fire Protection District.

Prior to joining White River Township, Fire Marshal Prochnow served as a full-time Firefighter/EMT with the Brownsburg Fire Territory from 1999 to 2017 and as a Fire Inspector with the Washington Township/Avon Fire Department from 2011 to 2017.

Fire Marshal Prochnow values the opportunity to positively impact the community through prevention and safety efforts. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife of 25 years and his three children, whom he considers his greatest gifts.

Portrait of a male firefighter in uniform with a badge on his chest and an embroidered patch on his sleeve, against a gray gradient background.

Deputy Fire Marshal

Matt Partain

Deputy Fire Marshal Matt Partain has more than 25 years of fire service experience and has served the White River Township Fire Department in multiple capacities. He began his career as a volunteer firefighter with WRTFD in 1999 and was hired as a full-time firefighter with the City of Lawrence Fire Department in 2000. He later returned to WRTFD in 2014 as a part-time fire inspector.

Beginning in 2011, Deputy Fire Marshal Partain focused his professional development on fire investigations. He holds the Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) credential through the International Association of Arson Investigators and has worked as a fire investigation consultant for private firms. He also served as Central District Director for the Indiana Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators.

A resident of White River Township, Deputy Fire Marshal Partain has maintained a strong connection to the community and Department throughout his career. Following his retirement from the City of Lawrence Fire Department in early 2025, he expanded his role with WRTFD by accepting the position of Deputy Fire Marshal.

A man in a white uniform with patches and badges, smiling in front of a gray, blurred background.

Life Safety Officer

Craig Zollars

Life Safety Officer Craig Zollars has served in the fire service since 2001 and joined the White River Township Fire Department in 2006 as a part-time firefighter. In 2008, he assumed the position of Life Safety Officer and has since developed a comprehensive Life Safety Education Program that reaches thousands of children in the community each year.

The Department’s Life Safety Education Program includes:

  • CPR Classes
  • Child Car Seat Installations
  • Bicycle Safety Education
  • Fire Safety Education
  • Fire Station Tours
  • Fire Stop Program

“Safety isn’t accidental. It’s built through preparation, education, and action.”

Forms and Information