KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (May 5, 2022) – Upper Merion Township is pleased to announce the hiring of James Johnson as the new Chief of Fire and Emergency Medical Services for the Upper Merion Township Department of Public Safety. James Johnson has served Upper Darby Township as a firefighter-emergency medical technician in both a volunteer and career capacity for the majority of his thirty-five-year professional career in the fire service.
Chief Johnson received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Safety Administration from Neumann University and is an adjunct instructor with the Bucks County Community College. He teaches subjects including fire service leadership, fire service instructor development, hazardous materials response and rescue operations. Chief Johnson has also received special clearance to instruct installation emergency response groups that fall under the U.S. Department of Defense.
Chief Johnson has served as a Deputy Chief with the Upper Darby Township Fire Department since 2001 and most recently held the position of Deputy Chief of Fire Operations. His responsibilities included the management of a firefighting force that protects Pennsylvania’s most populated township. His other areas of focus involved policy development and implementation, training, fire safety education and station maintenance as well as administrative responsibilities involving the management of a 14-million-dollar operating budget, the capital budget program and the management of both special projects and grant administration.
In Upper Merion Township, Chief Johnson will oversee all facets of fire and emergency medical services for the department. Upper Merion Township Fire and EMS thrives through the dedication and hard work by a diverse team that is made up of the professional services of 26 township employees and over 75 volunteer members from Upper Merion Township’s three legacy volunteer fire company’s: King of Prussia, Swedeland and Swedesburg. Chief Johnson will be sworn in at the Upper Merion Township Board of Supervisors Meeting on May 12th, 2022 and he will begin his employment on May 18th, 2022.