Foshie completes challenging FEMA course

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.

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

Michael 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, Michael

Fire officials visit Washington

Representatives from the Fire Department, Chief David Bell and Deputy Chief Mark Beasley, traveled to Washington D.C. for the annual Congressional Fire Service Institute Symposium and Dinner. This two-day event hosts over 1,500 attendees with the purpose of honoring firefighters and emergency responders. As part of the symposium, participants engage in educational seminars and meetings with fire service professionals and congressional representatives.

While in attendance, Chief Bell and Deputy Chief Beasley met with Rep. Diana Harshbarger and U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori

Moore-Merrell to discuss the Fire Department. In their meeting with Harshbarger, Bell and Beasley discussed challenges that the fire service is facing across the country.

They touched on the need for grant funding to assist departments with equipment, personnel shortages, increased call volumes, cancer initiatives, first responder mental health and other related topics. Additionally, they discussed the difficulty of extinguishing fires in batterypowered vehicles.

Bell and Beasley thanked Harshbarger for her support of 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 used to further reduce the risk of cancer that our members face daily and to provide them with the safest work environment possible.”

American Rescue Plan funding that the City is using to construct a fire training facility and to replace a fire station.

July 2023

Water & Sewer Services employees earn certificates

Water and

Services (WSS) congratulates the employees who earned state licenses in May and June: Josh Hicks and Chris Self passed examinations to be certified in Collection System

Operation and James (Butch) Taylor earned his certification in Distribution System Operation. Michael Rocker passed the state examination to become a licensed grade IV wastewater treatment plant operator. Thank you to these professionals for their dedication to WSS and the community. Your work protects the public’s health and the environment!