Jason Tharp began his career in the fire service in 2006 and has since become a distinguished professional in the field. He is a certified Master Structural Firefighter through the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, holding additional certifications as an Instructor III and Fire Officer IV, among various other state credentials. Chief Tharp earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency Management Administration from Texas A&M University-San Antonio and completed the Fire Service Chief Executive Officer program at Texas A&M TEEX, as well as the Texas Fire Chiefs Academy through the Texas Fire Chiefs Association.
Currently, Chief Tharp serves as a District Chief of A-shift with the Eastex Fire Department and holds the position of Battalion Chief of Community Risk Reduction and Public Information Officer for Harris County ESD No. 48.
In recognition of his exemplary service, Chief Tharp received the Lone Star Achievement Award from the Texas Fire Chiefs Association in March 2020 for his Community Risk Reduction efforts. He was subsequently honored with the Valor Award in 2022 for his courageous act of saving a patient experiencing a medical emergency from a burning vehicle. In 2023, he was named Admin Member of the Year at HCESD48.