Names in the News: July 9, 2023

WESLEY JOHNSTON was named the new chief of the Butts County (GA) Fire and Emergency Services Department. Johnston has more than 15 years of experience in fire and EMS services, joining the department in March as assistant chief over training. He initially worked part-time in Butts County in 2009 and had been serving as one of the department’s two interim chiefs after previous Butts County Fire Chief Mike Wilson left the job in April. Johnston is certified as a paramedic, fire officer, and fire instructor and has multiple additional instructor certifications, and also works in several specialized areas of rescue.

JESSE FLAX took over as the new chief of the Camden (NJ) Fire Department (CFD) in early June. Flax is a 29-year CFD veteran who was most recently serving as the department’s deputy chief. He graduated from the fire academy in 1994 and joined the CFD soon after, around the same time that his father Jesse retired as a 27-year member of the department. Flax takes over the position from previous CFD chief Michael Harper Sr., who retired in May.

PAUL GINTHER will take over as the new chief of the Killington (VT) Fire and Rescue Department (KFRD) on July 10. Ginther is a 34-year fire services veteran who arrives at the KFRD from the Jacksonville (FL) Fire Department, where he served for more than 25 years as a captain. He also has expertise in emergency services, public safety, emergency management, and preparedness. He first joined the fire service in Florida as an explorer at age 14 before becoming a full-time firefighter at 18. Ginther also has training as a hazmat technician and paramedic and was a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

AUSTIN PUGH was named the new chief of Walton County (FL) Fire Rescue (WCFR). Pugh began his career as an EMT with Holmes County (FL) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in 2001 before accepting a position with Walton County EMS in November of that same year. Pugh has served in numerous positions with WCFR, working several years as a firefighter-paramedic before promoting through the ranks as a lieutenant, a battalion chief, a training chief, and an assistant chief of operations. An alumnus of the National Fire Academy, he has also worked as an adjunct instructor for Northwest State Florida’s fire academy.

SCOTT BULLARD was named the new chief of the St. Johns County (FL) Fire Rescue Department (SJCFRD). Bullard is a 21-year veteran of the SJCFRD who has served the department as a firefighter, an engineer, a lieutenant, a captain, and a battalion chief. Bullard was selected as the 2013 Fire Rescue Paramedic of the Year and has been instrumental in developing several department initiatives such as the Firefighter Development Program and the Live Fire Instructor Training Program. He was serving as the SJCFRD’s interim chief since previous chief Jeffrey Prevatt retired after a 40-year emergency services career.