July 7, 2023

Johnson City Fire lieutenant completes prestigious national program

Johnson City firefighter Lt. Michael Allen Foshie was recognized at the June 29 commission meeting for completing the Managing Officer Program offered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Fire Academy. This is a challenging two-year program that only one other member of the Johnson City Fire Department has completed.

Foshie participated in a series of courses in emergency response, incident management, critical decision making, and other professional leadership instruction. The program culminated in a capstone project.

In his capstone research, Foshie identified gear washing as a contributing factor for higher rates of cancer in firefighters. As a result of the findings, he proposed to the Fire Department ways to enhance safe practices for personnel.

“Lt. Foshie’s FEMA coursework has practical application in the Fire Service,” said Fire Chief David Bell. “This research will be utilized to further reduce the risk of cancer that our members face daily and to provide them with the safest work environment possible.”

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