F.F.A.M.

Years of Service Recognized

Johnson County Fire Protection District

Following Tuesday night’s Board of Directors meeting, District firefighters were recognized for completing the District’s Recruit Firefighter Training Program, a 14-week introductory course for new employees with no prior firefighting experience.

Additionally, several District personnel were honored for reaching significant milestones in their years of service, including:

  • Battalion Captain James Fitterling – 30 years Retired
  • Battalion Captain Jeremy VanWey – 27 years Retired
  • Firefighter Jack Hart – 25 years 
  • Captain Joe Jennings – 20 years 
  • Firefighter Jimmy Tawzer – 20 years 
  • Captain Nick McDaniels – 15 years 
  • Lieutenant James Wilson – 15 years 
  • Lieutenant HR Zellner – 15 years 
  • Firefighter Antonio Evans – 15 years 
  • Lieutenant Ben Burd – 10 years 
  • Firefighter Chris Gibson – 10 years 
  • Lieutenant Tom Anderson – 5 years 
  • Firefighter Christopher Arwood – 5 years 
  • Firefighter Will Crowden – 5 years 
  • Firefighter Orry Harbit – 5 years 
  • Firefighter Lambert Short – 5 years 
  • Firefighter Caleb Thompson – 5 years 

After the presentations, Fire Chief Larry Jennings shared, “Volunteering with the District, alongside their regular jobs and personal lives, takes a special person—one with strong self-discipline, passion, and dedication. Seeing new firefighters, fresh from their basic training, alongside those being recognized for decades of service, truly highlights the strength of our team.”

Established in 1979, the Johnson County Fire Protection District serves approximately 520 square miles in the eastern two-thirds of Johnson County, Missouri excluding the cities of Knob Noster and Warrensburg. The District is a 24-hour per day service with a full-time Chief and Assistant Chief, three full-time Firefighters, and more than 130 volunteer members from diverse backgrounds.

The District is always hiring and needs new volunteers to serve out of one of the District’s twelve stations located in or near Burtville, Centerview, Chilhowee, Columbus, Cornelia, Fayetteville, Knob Noster, Leeton, Valley City and Warrensburg. 

More information about the Johnson County Fire Protection District can be found online at www.jcfpd.net.

Front Row Left to Right: BC James Fitterling – 30 years, Lt James Wilson – 15 years, Retired BC Jeremy VanWey – 27 years, FF Caleb Thompson 5 years, Captain Joe Jennings – 20 years, FF Jerald Finley – Recruit Graduate, FF Elane Runyon – Recruit Graduate, Asst Chief Dee Bennett. Back Row Left to Right: Chief Larry Jennings, Lt Ben Burd – 10 years, Captain Nick McDaniels – 15 years, Lt HR Zellner – 15 years, FF Lambert Short – 5 years, Retired FF Jack Hart – 25 years, FF Austin Atchley – Recruit Graduate. Not Pictured: Lt Tom Anderson – 5 years, FF Will Crowden – 5 years, FF Christopher Arwood – 5 years, FF Orry Harbit – 5 years, FF Chris Gibson – 10 years, FF Antonio Evans – 15 years, FF Jimmy Tawzer – 20 years.