The campaign for the formation of the Johnson County Fire Protection District began in 1978. A unified system of fire protection
was proposed to serve approximately the eastern two thirds of
The
formation of the Fire District combined the existing resources of the Johnson County Fire Department, Chilhowee Volunteer Fire Department,
Leeton Volunteer Fire Department and the Rural Knob Noster Volunteer Fire Department. Fire District daily operations were placed
under the direction of the County Fire Chief William P. Parsons who served as Chief until his retirement in 1995. An original
tax assessment of thirty cents per one hundred dollar assessed value provided the District with its operating funds. The tax
levy was decreased over the years to its lowest level of fourteen cents. Voter approval for a levy increase was sought in 2001
with voters approving a total levy of thirty-six cents per one hundred dollar assessed value. Voter support was once again requested
in 2007 and a $4.5 million bond was approved allowing the District to build and renovate fire stations and purchase additional
personal safety equipment and fire apparatus.
The beginning of the Fire District saw the combination of approximately eight pieces
of fire apparatus and twenty to thirty fire fighters from the combined departments. Through untold dedication and countless
hours of donated time from the volunteers the District grew and continues to grow today. Currently the District operates forty
four pieces of fire apparatus including twelve engines, ten tankers, thirteen grass fire units, eight support vehicles, one mobile
air cascade unit, a rescue unit and utilizes three generator/light trailers. The District also maintains a Safety House, which
is available to all departments of the county for public education. The equipment is housed in ten stations, which are located
in or near Warrensburg, Leeton, Chilhowee, Knob Noster, Centerview,
Providing modern innovative fire suppression to all citizens of the District remains the
primary focus of the District. Training of fire personnel and public education/awareness are two of the methods employed to
help achieve this goal. With the continued support of the public the Fire District will continue to change allowing equipment to be
purchased and upgraded to provide the dedicated men and women of the volunteer force the best equipment to complete the various tasks
required to provide service to the entire District.