Deputy City Fire Chief Johnson Retires

It was 1980 when the Brookfield Fire Department hired Jeffrey R. Johnson as a firefighter recruit.

Three decades later, as Johnson retires, the department is an improved operation with advanced level support paramedic service and plans for all hazard responses, including technical and ice/water rescues, terrorism, and mass casualty events.

Johnson played a role in these upgrades, as well as the improvement of the department's data collection, city leaders say.

A resolution approved March 1 by the Common Council says Johnson "is well known throughout the fire service community for his knowledge and expertise of the firehouse records management software."

He was hired as a firefighter on July 9, 1980 and became an equipment operator in 1989. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1992 and to chief officer in 1995.

During his career, Johnson helped improve mutual aid through efforts in the Waukesha County Fire Chiefs Association. He worked to resolve issues with the Waukesha County Communications Center, as the county's fire service technical representative.

Johnson "spearheaded" grant writing, the city resolution notes, which led to awards totaling about $250,000 for training and equipment.