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May 21, 2021

Two JCFD members recognized for Executive Fire Officer Program graduation

The City of Johnson City is proud to announce that two members of the Johnson City Fire Department recently completed the Executive Fire Officer Program from the National Fire Academy, which is considered the premier fire rescue leadership training institution in the United States.

Interim Fire Chief David Bell and District Chief Jonathan Fulmer were recognized by the Johnson City Board of Commissioners during a regularly scheduled meeting May 20. 

“Interim Chief Bell and District Chief Fulmer not only met stringent selection criteria for admission into this program but completed its rigorous coursework while excelling in their roles with the Johnson City Fire Department,” said City Manager Pete Peterson. “I commend both of these dedicated, hard-working individuals for their personal commitment to lifelong professional development.”

The Executive Fire Officer Program is a nationally recognized program designed to provide senior fire officers with a broad perspective on a variety of topics and challenges related to fire administration. In addition to the coursework, completed over a four-year period, all participants are required to complete multiple applied research projects to demonstrate application of course theory and concepts to real life situations.

“This program provides fire service officers with the expertise they need to succeed in today’s challenging environment,” said Peterson. “The Johnson City Fire Department is well represented by these individuals, and the efforts they undertook as part of the Executive Program have a direct benefit to the City of Johnson City.”

Bell, a 23-year veteran of the JCFD, is currently serving as interim fire chief. As deputy chief he has been responsible for overseeing budget, training and grants for the department. He holds a master’s degree in safety, security and emergency management from Eastern Kentucky University and is the first member of the department ever to obtain the fire officer designation from the Commission of Professional Credentialing.

Fulmer, a 17-year veteran of the JCFD, has served in his current role for more than two years. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from East Tennessee State University and has completed a wide variety of state fire trainings.

Of the 1,500 graduates who have graduated from the Executive Fire Officer Program, only 50 are from the State of Tennessee. Bell and Fulmer are the only current members of the Johnson City Fire Department who have completed the program. A third department member is due to graduate from the program next year.

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