Eric Johnson
Polk County Fire Rescue
Lakeland,FL
1
Certification
2027
years of professional experience
Fire Service Leader and Battalion Chief with 20+ years of experience in fire suppression, emergency medical services, and organizational leadership. Proven track record in training development, multi-unit command, and operational efficiency. Experience in leading large teams, managing high-risk incidents, and implementing programs that improve performance, safety, and readiness. Strong communicator committed to personnel development, accountability, and mission success.
Work History
Battalion Chief
- Command operations across 6+ stations with oversight of 30+ personnel.
- Lead emergency response to fires, medical incidents, and complex rescue operations.
- Utilize Incident Command System (ICS) to manage multi-unit responses and critical incidents.
- Supervise and evaluate personnel performance, conducting annual reviews and mentoring future leaders.
- Coordinate staffing, scheduling, and resource allocation to meet operational demands and agency initiatives.
- Oversee maintenance and readiness of stations, apparatus, and equipment.
- Ensure compliance with departmental policies, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Conduct facility, equipment, and personnel inspections to maintain operational excellence.
- Developed and implemented training programs to enhance team performance and safety compliance.
Captain
10 Months- Directed daily operations and supervised personnel within assigned units.
- Coordinated training programs for new recruits, enhancing team readiness and operational efficiency.
- Planned and delivered departmental training programs.
- Mentored and developed firefighters to improve performance and readiness.
- Collaborated with other agency partners to support mutal-aid and coordinated responses.
- Identified operational gaps and implemented improvements.
Lieutenant
18 Years 7 Months- Oversee and manage the personnel assigned to a single fire station
- Lead and create training sessions to keep up with department training standards and to increase proficiency in the individuals skills
- Cultivate close working relationships with other fire crews (internal)through multi-company training to create a more efficient emergency scene
- Train with other departments to facilitate mutual aid response
- Implement corrective and preventive measures
- Mentor and develop subordinates to create seamless, tight knit team
- Promote teamwork, communication and conflict resolution among shifts, districts and other departments and agencies
- Demonstrate high standards of performance, including teamwork, communication and compassion
Fire Fighter
- Responded to fire, crash and rescue calls
- Operated Engine, Aerial, Tender, Brush truck, Air Truck, Cascade system and all equipment assigned to each
- Participated in civic and other community groups to promote public understand of fire safety
- Responded to dispatched emergency assignments quickly and safely
- Assessed patient condition through physical and verbal exams and by collecting information from others at the scene
- Promoted team effort when working with dispatch center, external public safety agencies and health care providers
- Demonstrated high standards of performance, including teamwork, communication and compassion
Education
Bachelor of Science - Public Safety Administration
Certificate - Leadership Development In Public Safety
Associate of Science - Fire Science
Paramedic - EMS
EMT - EMS
Minimum Fire Standards - Fire Science
Skills
Incident Command (ICS)
Operations management
Training & Development
Emergency Response Leadership
Team Building & Mentorship
Conflict Resolution
Policy & Compliance
High-Stress Decision Making
Accomplishments
- Served as Interim Deputy Chief (Training Division)
- Led United Way fundraising campaign as team leader.
- Selected to participate in Emerging Leaders development program
- Designed and implemented a new PCFR firefighter orientation academy
- Implemented Officer and Engineer initial training programs.
- Acted in Battalion Chief and Battalion Medical Chief roles prior to promotion.
- Deployed for hurricane relief efforts including Hurricanes Katrina, Ivan, Milton, and Ian.
- Served as FTO for suppression and EMS personnel.
Certification
- Fire Officer IV (Florida)
- Fire Instructor III (Florida)
- Paramedic (Florida #525473)
- Minimum Fire Standards
- Pump Operator (Florida)
- Haz-Mat tech (Florida)
- Rope Operations
- Confined Space Technician
- Trench Rescue Technician
- Vehicle Machinery Rescue Operations
- Building Collapse Operations
- Aerial Ops (40 hr)
- Blue Card Incident Commander
- ACLS provider
Timeline
Captain
Polk County Fire Rescue
01.2016 - 11.2016Read More
Lieutenant
Polk County Fire Rescue
01.2008 - 11 2015Read More
South Florida Community College
EMT from EMS
Read More
Keiser University
Associate of Science from Fire Science
Read More
Polk State College
Certificate from Leadership Development In Public Safety
Read More
Battalion Chief
Polk County Fire Rescue
11 2016 - CurrentRead More
Fire Fighter
Polk County Fire Rescue
6 2003 - 12 2007Read More
St. Petersburg College
Bachelor of Science from Public Safety Administration
Read More
FMTI
Paramedic from EMS
Read More
Hillsborough Community College
Minimum Fire Standards from Fire Science
Read More
Leadership Philosophy
I bring a disciplined, solutions-oriented approach to decision-making, particularly in a fast paced and high-pressure environment. I prioritize planning, risk awareness, and operational efficiency to deliver consistent measurable results.