Pair of GFD firefighters see change in rank

A pair of veteran Greencastle firefighters have assumed new roles as the calendar moves to 2026.

Brandon Watson, who joined the department in 2015, has now assumed the role of Captain, while Grant Bryan, who joined in 2021, was recently promoted to lieutenant. 

Fire Chief Rob Frank said the two have played vital roles in the success of the Greencastle Fire Department since joining and he is excited to see them flourish in their new roles. 

"Brandon is a veteran of the department and an experienced fire officer. He has served in union leadership roles and done significant work to help move our department forward. His commitment to the organization and his peers has been evident throughout his career. Grant has spent the past year intentionally preparing himself for this position. He is well respected within the department, is a natural leader, and I am confident he will be successful in this new role," Frank told The Putnam County Post. 

Watson, a Greencastle native, is a 2005 graduate of Greencastle High School and his father, Donnie, serves as the Chaplain for the Greencastle Fire Department. He told The Putnam County Post that growing up, he often listened to his father's stories from the field and those stories sparked a "passion for the fire service and planted the seeds of a future career." 

In 2011, Watson entered fire service as a volunteer and four years later, he made the decision to pursue firefighting full time, joining the Greencastle Fire Department on Dec. 15, 2015. During his tenure, Watson has gained a ton of hands on experience with a wide range of emergency situations and has served as the department's Training Officer, as well as a Lieutenant on C-Shift. 

"Being promoted to Captain after 10 years of service is an accomplishment I find incredibly rewarding. I am grateful for the trust placed in me and I look forward to putting into practice the skills and lessons I have learned from the officers who have mentored me throughout my career," Watson said. 

Watson said he hopes to instill the same sense of pride he feels for the department in the men and women he will have the privilege to lead. 

"The department has always been a great place to work, supported by a strong leadership team and a culture built on showing up every day for the citizens of Greencastle. Being part of that team is something I value deeply. As GFD continues to grow and strengthen its culture, I want others to see that this truly is the best job in the world—just as I do," Watson said. 

As for Bryant, he brings seven years of experience to the Greencastle Fire Department and has been actively involved with the Clinton Township Volunteer Fire Department, as well. 

A graduate of Franklin College, Bryant was a standout on the football field, while earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Marketing. 

"Outside of my professional life, I have a strong passion for agriculture, where my family and I raise livestock. My family has deep roots in the Greencastle area, spanning multiple generations. I also enjoy serving as a Deacon at Roachdale Christian Church. Most importantly, I am a proud husband to my wife, Bethany, and proud father to our children—Ivyl, Elyse, Adalyn, and Harvey," Bryant said.