NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — Newport News City Manager Cindy Rohlf has named Jeffrey S. Johnson as the city’s new fire chief.
Johnson is currently the fire chief for the city of Salinas, California and will start his new role with the Newport News Fire Department on Feb. 25, according to a press release.
The City of Newport News says Johnson has over 30 years of experience in fire and emergency services. He began his career in 1988 with the Grandview Fire Department in Missouri.
Since then, Johnson has worked his way up the ranks. He served as deputy fire chief for the Kansas City Fire Department before being named fire chief in Salinas.
According to the City of Newport News, Johnson has multiple degrees, including a master’s degree in public administration from American Public University.
Johnson also holds the Center for Public Safety Excellence’s Chief Fire Officer (CFO) certification and the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer (EFO) certification.
The previous Newport News fire chief, Robert Alley, III, retired in April of last year.
