CHESTERFIELD, Ind. — In the last few months, the town has named a new town marshal, a new clerk-treasurer, and now a new fire chief — but one has nothing to do with the others.

Chesterfield-Union Township Fire Chief Dave Gillespie held a ceremony Sunday to publicly announce that he is stepping down as fire chief, and dispelled any speculation that his resignation has anything to do with the misappropriated funds that caused five town employees to lose their jobs.

In October, a state audit report was released accusing five town employees, including the former police chief and clerk-treasurer, of defrauding the town of more than $259,000 over the span of two years.

The audit report listed former clerk-treasurer Chris Parrish, former town marshal James Kimm, maintenance workers James and Chris Walters and part-time police officer Joseph Brown as co-conspirators in the alleged fraud.

The investigation is ongoing, and a civil suit has been filed against the employees.

Although his resignation as fire chief comes soon after the audit report was released, Gillespie said his decision is unrelated to the events that have led to reorganization at the town.

He was not named in the audit report.

On Sunday, Gillespie discussed his decision to resign, and introduced his replacement as fire chief, Capt. Todd Huffer.

Gillespie, who has been chief of the fire department for five years, said his decision to resign was made a long time ago. “I said from day one I was going to do a five-year term,” he said.

Gillespie, who works as a full-time firefighter for the Fishers Fire Department, said he was also recently promoted to lieutenant at that department, demanding more of his time.

Chesterfield-Union Township is an all-volunteer fire department whose members are paid only if they respond to an emergency.

As chief, Gillespie said he had been working 36 hours on shift at the Chesterfield department followed by 36 hours off, while maintaining his full-time job in Fishers.

Gillespie said he also recently stepped into a new role with the local Hamilton County firefighters union.

“Between that and having a young family, it’s just time,” he said.

“In no way, shape, or form is this associated with what’s going on with the town,” Gillespie affirmed Sunday.

During his time as chief, Gillespie is credited with increasing volunteer membership from about 30 to nearly 50 firefighters, securing three new fire engines or apparatus for the department and arranging for the purchase of new fire-fighting equipment.

He is also known for changing fire and safety training standards for the department.

Gillespie said the department and the state only required firefighters to complete 24 hours of training when he stepped in as chief.

“We felt that was an injustice to the firefighters and the people we serve,” Gillespie said.

Since then, the chief has upped the requirement to nearly 400 hours for all firefighters.

Last year, the chief and Union Township Trustee Michael Phillips secured $1.6 million in equipment upgrades for the department, Huffer said.

Huffer’s first day as fire chief will be Tuesday.

Gillespie will remain on the department as a volunteer firefighter but will not hold a leadership role. Gillespie said he was offered the title of captain, but declined.

Sgt. Billy Brewer will step into a captain’s position when the change occurs, and said Gillespie has been an effective leader.

“He just had a way about him that he had over people to get things done.”

Brewer admitted he was surprised by the amount of equipment Gillespie was able to secure for the department.

He is excited for Huffer to step into the new leadership role.

“I’ve never seen anyone last like he has,” Brewer said.

While some firefighters get into phases where they fail to respond to calls or become less involved with the volunteer department, Brewer said Huffer has remained committed to his responsibilities at the department ever since he joined more than five years ago.

After fighting fires beside Huffer over the past five years, Brewer is confident that the firefighters can rely on Huffer as a leader.

“He’s the guy you can count on to be here.”

Contact Brandi Watters: 640-4847, brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com