SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP — The Sugar Creek Township Fire Department underwent an abrupt change of command last weekend. A new fire chief was named, effective immediately.
John Begovich, who had been the department’s fire chief for the past five years, was replaced by longtime Sugar Creek Township battalion chief Brandon Kleine.
Sugar Creek Township Trustee Bob Boyer decided to make the change and told Begovich about his plan a few days earlier. Boyer announced the decision in a post on social media on Saturday.
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“It’s just time to make some progress and move on,” Boyer said. “This was my decision.”
Kleine, 40, Morristown, has served the department since September 2001. He’s been a lieutenant, captain, house captain, and most recently battalion chief.
“I wasn’t looking to have this new position, but the opportunity came up, so I’m excited about it,” Kleine said.
Kleine is a 1998 Eastern Hancock High School graduate and earned his fire science degree from Ivy Tech. He volunteered with the Wilkinson Fire Department right out of high school before moving to Morristown, where he still volunteers, as chief, for the Morristown Fire Department. He plans to continue to volunteer for Morristown and will finish out the year as the fire chief there.
For 18 years Kleine has been a shift man, but he said he’s looking forward to the change and more normal schedule. The change comes at a good time for his family. His two daughters are both going to be in high school, and his wife, Rachel, is going to to be their basketball coach. The couple’s son, who’s in the fifth grade, is also starting to play sports.
“I’m hoping it will be a little bit easier with a normal schedule to watch them play,” Kleine said.
Kleine knows there will be a learning curve for him as chief of a large department, but he’s looking forward to the leadership role.
“At the end of the day, I just want to take care of my guys and gals and get stuff done,” Kleine said.
Dustin Dishman, a house captain in the department, noted a major change in any fire department is never easy when it comes from within because one person changing jobs affects others. However, in this case, more than one person received a promotion. Dishman earned his captain certification and will now be the house captain of Fire Station 45.
“There’s always a ripple effect in something like this,” Dishman said.
As for his new chief, Dishman feels Kleine is motivated and will make a great leader because he has a feel for the people who’ll be working for him.
“He’ll drive this department where it needs to go,” Dishman said. “There are a lot of young people in this department with lots of newer ideas.”
Begovich, who did not return calls seeking comment, will continue to serve as a firefighter/paramedic, Boyer said.
Boyer, while saying he wasn’t directing his comments toward any individual, noted that leadership dynamics can sometimes become stale in organizations.
Kleine said he has nothing but respect for Begovich, who he said said taught him much of what he knows.
“We hired in together and worked through different ranks together,” Kleine said. “He’s taught me a lot and is still going to help me with things.”
During his nearly two decades with the department, Kleine said he has never wanted to work elsewhere. Kleine came up through the ranks and is also part of the Indiana Task Force 1 unit, for which he has been deployed five times.
Kleine is also a well-respected member of the department and will do an excellent job, Boyer said. While Kleine is a relatively young chief, he’s experienced, and that’s a rare combination, the trustee said.
