INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Eric Holcomb has appointed a suburban Indianapolis fire chief to become the state's next state fire marshal.
Holcomb announced Wednesday that he had named Plainfield Fire Chief Joel Thacker to oversee the state agency that investigates suspicious fires, promotes fire prevention and enforces safety codes in public buildings.
Thacker will begin his new duties April 6. Holcomb says Thacker has "risen through the ranks to bring 28 years of fire and emergency response experience" to his new position.
Thacker will succeed former South Bend fire chief Stephen Cox, who Holcomb appointed executive director of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security in January.