Brown Honors District’s First African American Fire Chief with Engine Company Naming

Council honors the late Fire Chief’s 35 years of dedicated service

Fire Chief Burton

Washington, (D.C.) – Today, At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown, along with Councilmembers Phil Mendelson and Jim Graham, introduced the “Fire Chief Burton W. Johnson Memorial Building Designation Act of 2008,” to name Engine Company No. 4 in memory of the District’s first African American Fire and Emergency Medical Services Fire Chief.    The fire station, located in Ward 1 on 2531 Sherman Avenue NW, was named after the late Fire Chief who was appointed to the station on January 16, 1943.

“What better way to recognize Fire Chief Johnson’s invaluable service to our community than with the naming of the engine company where in which he operated in his honor?” said Brown.  “He didn’t just make history by breaking what was once a racial barrier, he established a standard of excellence by taking pride in saving lives.  Each newly sworn firefighter and Fire/EMS worker that enters the building will be reminded of his outstanding legacy and their duty to serve and rescue our citizens from harm.”

Brown first honored Chief Johnson’s accomplishments with a ceremonial resolution presented to Johnson’s daughters in December 2007.  During the presentation, Brown assured the family members that we would seek to honor their father with the naming of the fire engine building.  The bill was referred to the Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary. 

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