There’s a lot of negativity in the air these days when it comes to government at both the local and federal level. That’s been especially true for the Town of Summerfield in recent years; however, on Tuesday, March 11, the Summerfield Town Council and everyone at the council meeting shared a very nice moment in honor of a hometown boy who has become a highly praised figure now well known in first responder circles across the state of North Carolina.

At the Tuesday night meeting, Summerfield Fire District Chief Chris Johnson was formally recognized by the council for being named the 2025 North Carolina Fire Chief of the Year by the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs.

Friends, family and other first responders gathered with local leaders to honor the man whose lifelong dedication to fire safety and community service has earned him one of the highest honors in the state.

The Town Council’s proclamation celebrated Johnson’s “unwavering service and leadership” within the Summerfield Fire District.

Chief Johnson’s connection to the Summerfield Fire District runs deep and spans multiple generations. His passion for firefighting began at a very early age when he often accompanied his grandfather—the department’s first-ever fire chief—on emergency calls.

Inspired by those events as a young boy, Johnson officially joined the department as a volunteer firefighter in 1990 – at just 16 years of age.

Johnson also studied hard regarding the subject of safety: He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology.

Even after he joined the Greensboro Fire Department as a full-time firefighter, he remained dedicated to Summerfield as a volunteer.

He was appointed as Summerfield’s fourth fire chief in 2007, a role he continues to fulfill today.

Under Johnson’s leadership, the Summerfield Fire District has become a statewide model for community-driven fire protection. One of his most notable achievements has been improving the town’s fire protection rating from an ISO Class 6 to an ISO Class 2 – a distinction that signifies a strong enhancement in emergency response capabilities and insurance benefits for residents.

At the March 11 meeting, Summerfield Mayor Tim Sessoms pointed out that an ISO Class 2 rating was the highest one a fire district could get without a municipal water system. The mayor also told the town residents at the council meeting that Johnson’s advancement of the fire department was saving them a lot of money on their insurance bills.

Beyond operational improvements, Johnson has helped cultivate a strong bond between the fire department and the community. His tenure as chief has seen the introduction of many very popular local events, including an award-winning Kids’ Summer Camp, the Stop Drop and Roll 5K, Trunk or Treat, Santa at the Station, and Summerfield Founders’ Day activities.

Through these initiatives, Johnson has worked to reinforce the fire department’s role as not just an emergency response entity but also as a community unifier.

During the Town Council meeting, the proclamation honoring Johnson was read aloud by the mayor and that was followed by a standing ovation from the crowd and a photo op of Johnson with firefighters, town councilmembers and others.

Sessoms and Acting Town Manager Jeff Bacon both expressed their gratitude on behalf of all Summerfield residents.

The official motion adopted by the council states: “In honor and appreciation of Fire Chief Johnson, I hereby move that the Town of Summerfield adopt Proclamation PRO-2025-001 recognizing Chief Johnson for his unwavering dedication to, and improvement of, the Town of Summerfield, and for receiving the 2025 North Carolina Fire Chief of the Year Award from the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs, so justly deserved,”

In addition to being an accolade for an individual, it was also an honor for the collective effort of the Summerfield Fire District to foster a safer, more connected community.

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