About Us
Chief Chaplain Josh Watts and wife Bridget, Treasurer.
Chief Chaplain Josh Watts and wife Bridget, Treasurer.
Chief Chaplain Josh Watts and wife Bridget, Treasurer.
Chief Chaplain and Co-Founder Josh Watts currently serves as the Fire Chief and Chaplain at the Mongo Fire Department in Mongo, IN, as a part-time EMT for Steuben County and he is also an Army Veteran. He is currently serving as a Local Pastor and an Associate Chaplain with the IVFA.
He has served as a volunteer firefighter in the State
Chief Chaplain and Co-Founder Josh Watts currently serves as the Fire Chief and Chaplain at the Mongo Fire Department in Mongo, IN, as a part-time EMT for Steuben County and he is also an Army Veteran. He is currently serving as a Local Pastor and an Associate Chaplain with the IVFA.
He has served as a volunteer firefighter in the State of Indiana since 1997 and has spent 14 of those years with the Mongo Fire Dept, serving as Fire Chief since 2018. In 2022, Chaplain Watts became certified as a CISM responder.
He has been married to his wife Bridget since 2004 and together, they have 4 children. Bridget is currently serving as a Board Member and Treasurer for Shields Under Fire.
Joshua Phillips, Indiana State Chief Chaplain
Chief Chaplain Josh Watts and wife Bridget, Treasurer.
Chief Chaplain Josh Watts and wife Bridget, Treasurer.
Indiana State Chaplain and Co-Founder Josh Phillips currently serves as the Medical Captain of the Mongo Fire Dept an EMT-Basic for Parkview LaGrange and he is also an Army Veteran. For the past 6 years, he has dedicated many hours to the fire department and earned the Medical Responder of the Year award 2 years straight.
Chief Phillips h
Indiana State Chaplain and Co-Founder Josh Phillips currently serves as the Medical Captain of the Mongo Fire Dept an EMT-Basic for Parkview LaGrange and he is also an Army Veteran. For the past 6 years, he has dedicated many hours to the fire department and earned the Medical Responder of the Year award 2 years straight.
Chief Phillips has spent many years training and educating other responders in the area of Emergency Medical Services within the fire department and is now ready to start training others to become Emergency Chaplains with the understanding of what it means to respond to emergency calls.
Chief Phillips has also coached middle school soccer at the local school and is involved with many local events. Hosting a large display of Christmas lights every season, Chief Phillips and his wife Laura invite the public to see their display for free every year. Along with their 5 children, they enjoy many adventures together.
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Chuck Ritchie Missions Chief/ Chaplain Candidate
Chief Chaplain Josh Watts and wife Bridget, Treasurer.
Chuck Ritchie Missions Chief/ Chaplain Candidate
If there was ever a great reason to join Shields Under Fire, Chuck's story would define that reason. After suffering the loss of thier son to cancer at the age of 7, his wife Kristin was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017. Chuck serves on the Mongo Fire Dept. as a Captain and is making a difference in our community.
Since the launch o
If there was ever a great reason to join Shields Under Fire, Chuck's story would define that reason. After suffering the loss of thier son to cancer at the age of 7, his wife Kristin was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017. Chuck serves on the Mongo Fire Dept. as a Captain and is making a difference in our community.
Since the launch of Shields Under Fire in July of 2018, Chuckie has helped define our mission and currently serves a board member and now our Missions Chief. While sharing his story of heartbreak and loss he is the first to testify to the power of Christ and His ability to comfort us in our darkest hours.
His wife Kristin lost her battle with cancer on June 28th, 2020. Since then, Chuckie has dedicated his time to making sure that those associated with Shields Under Fire know just how strong Kristin was, even in her final hours here on earth. Rest in Peace Kristin, We will miss you!
As of May, 2022, Chuck has become a Chaplain Candidate.
Dave Elick, District 2 Chief/ Ordained Chaplain
Jayden Watts, Chaplain Candidate/ State Master Sergeant-At-Arms
Chuck Ritchie Missions Chief/ Chaplain Candidate
Dave is currently serving as an Associate Chaplain with the Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association (IVFA) and is a great asset to our team. With many years of experience as a Fire Chief and Fire Chaplain, Dave serves not only as an Ordained Chaplain but a mentor to our team. Pictured here with his wife Virginia, Dave is dedicated to
Dave is currently serving as an Associate Chaplain with the Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association (IVFA) and is a great asset to our team. With many years of experience as a Fire Chief and Fire Chaplain, Dave serves not only as an Ordained Chaplain but a mentor to our team. Pictured here with his wife Virginia, Dave is dedicated to God, Family and Community in a way that most cannot picture. With many years of sacrifice and dedication to serving as a firefighter and community leader, Dave is a great addition to our team, not only as an example but as a leader.
Dave was elected the Indiana State Chaplain for the IVFA at the 2022 IVFA Convention and recently served as the Fire Chief of the LaGrange Volunteer Fire Department (retired).
Dave holds the key to networking for Shields Under Fire and we look forward to his service as the District 2 Chief for Shields Under Fire.
Dave Mahler, District 3 Chief
Jayden Watts, Chaplain Candidate/ State Master Sergeant-At-Arms
Jayden Watts, Chaplain Candidate/ State Master Sergeant-At-Arms
Dedicated to his family, Dave is willing to do whatever it takes to provide for his loved ones. He brings this same dedication and drive to our mission. 2019 was a big year for Dave as he married his true love, Mary, joined the Mongo Fire Dept and became a founding member of Shields Under Fire. His passion for helping others is strongl
Dedicated to his family, Dave is willing to do whatever it takes to provide for his loved ones. He brings this same dedication and drive to our mission. 2019 was a big year for Dave as he married his true love, Mary, joined the Mongo Fire Dept and became a founding member of Shields Under Fire. His passion for helping others is strongly displayed in his actions and brought him an early career promotion to Lieutenant in 2020.
As an Army Veteran, he defines the primary meaning for leadership as he leads by example. Dave is always willing to stop and help those who need it, especially with training the younger generation of Emergency Responders. Dave and Mary along with their daughters are enjoying their new home, journey through life together and we are proud to have them as part of our family.
Dave received a well-deserved promotion on the fire department in 2021 to Captain. Recently promoted to District 3 Chief, Dave has begun to network with local fire departments to make connections for our Emergency Chaplains.
Jayden Watts, Chaplain Candidate/ State Master Sergeant-At-Arms
Jayden Watts, Chaplain Candidate/ State Master Sergeant-At-Arms
Jayden Watts, Chaplain Candidate/ State Master Sergeant-At-Arms
At the young age of 17, Jayden felt the calling to serve his community and neighbors. Joining the fire department as a Junior Firefighter, he began his Firefighting career early in life.
Coming from a long line of Military Veterans and spending his entire life thus far as a Firefighter's son, Jayden officially joined the fire service in
At the young age of 17, Jayden felt the calling to serve his community and neighbors. Joining the fire department as a Junior Firefighter, he began his Firefighting career early in life.
Coming from a long line of Military Veterans and spending his entire life thus far as a Firefighter's son, Jayden officially joined the fire service in June of 2021 and is now seeking out a higher calling as a Chaplain with Shields Under Fire.
His heart and desire to serve Christ has led him to serve as a second-generation firefighter and soon, Chaplain. Jayden brings a very unique presence to the organization and is determined to succeed in all areas of his life. With so much ambition, we are looking forward to his contribution and commitment to our team.
Doug Eicher, Michigan State Chief Chaplain
Belinda Jarema, Arizona State Liaison, Chaplain Asst.
Belinda Jarema, Arizona State Liaison, Chaplain Asst.
Doug is a US Army Medic Veteran and has served his community as a firefighter and served on EMS in the past. Being the first member of Shields to live outside of Indiana, Doug has 3 kids and a beautiful wife. He is currently serving as a reserve deputy with a sheriff's office in Michigan. Doug brings a fresh insight into the organizati
Doug is a US Army Medic Veteran and has served his community as a firefighter and served on EMS in the past. Being the first member of Shields to live outside of Indiana, Doug has 3 kids and a beautiful wife. He is currently serving as a reserve deputy with a sheriff's office in Michigan. Doug brings a fresh insight into the organization and is our State Chief for the State of Michigan.
He is currently working on introducing our organization to his local Sheriff and surrounding law enforcement and fire departments within the State of Michigan. Doug's involvement with our organization shows promise and hope of spreading the good works of Shields Under Fire, Inc with other communities, towns and States.
Doug brings a lot of energy and ambition to our mission and is currently in the process of becoming a Certified Chaplain with us and would make him the first Shields Under Fire Chaplain in the State of Michigan.
Belinda Jarema, Arizona State Liaison, Chaplain Asst.
Belinda Jarema, Arizona State Liaison, Chaplain Asst.
Belinda Jarema, Arizona State Liaison, Chaplain Asst.
Belinda is our official liaison in Arizona. As a Chaplain Assistant, she is making contacts around the Pheonix/Mesa Arizona area, and she is working hard to expand our presence in the area.
She is a believer in Christ and believes that we can make a difference in the lives of those who serve us all and because of that, she is willing t
Belinda is our official liaison in Arizona. As a Chaplain Assistant, she is making contacts around the Pheonix/Mesa Arizona area, and she is working hard to expand our presence in the area.
She is a believer in Christ and believes that we can make a difference in the lives of those who serve us all and because of that, she is willing to be our representative in Arizona. She has experience in law enforcement as well serving 4 years as a reserve officer in her hometown.
As a mother, mother-in-law and grandmother, Belinda holds family values at the highest level possible and believes that all emergency responders and veterans deserve the same. With a father and son who both served in the US Army, she firmly believes in support those who defend our freedoms and also those who serve our communities.
Her core beliefs are God, family, community, country. Belinda will be a great asset to our team and a great source of information to those brothers and sisters in Arizona needing help.