Tribute to Johnny Wilson
Johnny G. Wilson
11/11/1950 - 08/15/2004
It is with heartfelt sadness that our agency announces the death of our Executive Director Mr. Johnny G. Wilson. Johnny passed away on August 15, 2004 and was placed at rest at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Griffin Georgia on August 19, 2004. In a career that was tragically cut short with a sudden fatal heart attack, Johnny Wilson made a lasting impression on the entire Georgia fire service.
Johnny began his career in the fire service in Spalding County where he progressed through the ranks to achieve the rank of Assistant Chief. After years of devoted service to his community, he progressed from the local fire service to become a Program Coordinator with Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council. Soon after his appointment to the staff at GFSTC, he developed and implemented the National Professional Qualifications program that we know as NPQ today. With Johnny’s steadfast determination and strong work ethic, the National Professional Qualifications testing system is an every day part of training in most fire departments in this state. Johnny’s devotion to this National certification process lead to his appointment to the NPQ Executive Board of Directors, as well as the NPQ Committee on Accreditation.
In August of 2003, Johnny was appointed as Interim Executive Director of Firefighter Standards and Training, and with the same strong work ethic and the desire to "do the right thing"; he devoted his Life to his continual ambition to provide more leadership in the training and certification of Georgia’s firefighters. One of Johnny’s first official acts included traveling to nineteen regional meetings throughout the state within a two month period, so he could personally correspond with over 800 fire service members that would be affected by new law requirements. Under Johnny’s leadership, the legislation found in Senate Bill 169 was implemented to help the needs of the fire service. For example, three new levels of certifications were developed, including Fire Investigator, Fire Inspector, and Fire Safety Educator.
Volunteer Firefighters are now eligible for state certification, new physical agility standards are in place for Georgia's certified firefighters, and a strong corporative effort now exists with other agencies, boards, and Associations because of Johnny Wilson's devotion. Johnny was an active member of the Georgia State Firefighters Association, the Georgia Fire Chiefs Association, and a Nationally Certified Fire Officer. The fire service lost a devoted friend and leader with the death of Johnny, but his legacy will continue for years to come.
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