Finding firefighting in his blood: Both parents of new Fire District 4 assistant chief worked for department

Spokane County Fire District 4 has a new assistant fire chief, but Howard Johnson is no stranger to the district. He grew up in it and has worked the district since 1993.

Johnson grew up on Chattaroy Road not too far from a fire station. His parents, Howard Johnson Jr. and Kay Johnson, were both volunteer firefighters. He was accustomed to having their pagers going off during dinners or family events.

“It was just what they did,” he said.

But strangely, Johnson never considered becoming a firefighter. “I was never really one of those kids who wanted to be a firefighter,” he said.

After he turned 18 his mother asked if he had ever considered joining the department as a volunteer. He hadn’t. “It wasn’t until she asked me,” he said.

He spent the last few months of his senior year and the following summer volunteering with the department. He enjoyed it, but didn’t consider it a career possibility.

He began the law enforcement program at Spokane Community College until the day he saw some fire science students practicing their skills and decided to switch programs.

“I never looked back after that,” he said.

Johnson said he’s not sure why it took him so long to realize he could make firefighting a career but said it may have been because his parents and the other firefighters he knew were volunteers.

“It just didn’t click,” he said. “I was just so accustomed to it and what they did. They all had other jobs.”

He was a resident firefighter at Station 44 on U.S. Highway 2 while he attended SCC, and after he graduated, he began looking for work.

“I traveled all over Washington and Oregon testing for a full-time job,” he said.

But then a position opened up at Fire District 4. He applied and was selected for the job. “I’ve really been extremely lucky,” he said. “My growth and career have exactly paced the needs of the department.”

Johnson is glad he’s been able to stay at District 4. “I love my job,” he said. “I love the department. The department is what built me into who I am.”

He said he likes being able to help people. “In their worst hour, I get to go and make that better,” he said.

Johnson said he was surprised and honored when he was selected for promotion after the position had been vacant for several months. His mother, who retired as a volunteer 15 years ago and retired as the district’s secretary 10 years ago, pinned his new badge on. His father, however, died six years ago and didn’t get to see his son be promoted to assistant chief.

“It was pretty humbling,” he said. “The position I have right now is the position I always thought I wanted back when I started. It’s very surreal.”

When he first joined the department the mostly volunteer firefighters responded to under 600 calls a year. This year their mix of paid and volunteer firefighters will respond to more than 5,300 calls, Johnson said. He expects that growth to continue.

“What’s next for Fire District 4?” he said. “I’m in the position I want to be in to influence that. It’s a great opportunity. I’m going to make everything I can out of it.”