EMS Election

Corey A. Johnson
Assistant Chief
City of Williston Fire Department (ND)

Profile

Assistant Chief Johnson has 18 years of experience in emergency services, including fire service only, EMS service only, and dual service organizations. He currently serves as the Assistant Chief of Operations for the City of Williston Fire Department in North Dakota. The department is the only full-time fire and EMS service in the state. Assistant Chief Johnson is a board member on the North Dakota EMS Association. In his home state of Pennsylvania, he was a Paramedic Supervisor and member of the Pennsylvania EMS Strike Team.

Platform

My name is Corey Johnson of the City of Williston Fire Department in North Dakota where I serve as the Assistant Chief of Operations. I began my career in the fire service in 2007 as a volunteer firefighter and after falling in the love with emergency services I decided to make it my career in 2009 by becoming an EMT. Where I lived in western Pennsylvania, there were no career firefighters and the only way to be an emergency responder fulltime was through the EMS services. After working several years as an EMT I became a paramedic. Looking for a fulltime career in the fire service I found my way to North Dakota where I was able to become part of a service that was rapidly growing and developing.

Working for private EMS, public standalone EMS, and fire-based EMS taught me the value of the services that were provided to the community. Many argue that EMS is a part of healthcare and others that it is part of public safety. I believe that it is both but rooted first in public safety.

As a director of the EMS Section, it will be my goal to continue to promote EMS as a profession, promote the value of public and fire-based EMS, and specialty response teams. National advocacy for the advancement of EMS is vital to our continuing mission. I am actively involved in EMS advocacy at the state and federal level and will use this position to continue promoting our profession.

Thank you for your consideration for this position and if elected I look forward to serving the association in this role.

Justin Lemery
Chief of EMS
Tulsa Fire Department (OK)

Profile

Justin Lemery is the Chief of EMS for the Tulsa Fire Department. A second-generation firefighter and 18-year member, Chief Lemery leads the EMS Branch and Mobile Integrated Healthcare Program. Chief Lemery is nationally registered paramedic, community paramedic, holds a bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration and will complete an MPA in 2025. Chief Lemery is in leadership positions committed to advancing EMS in the fire service such as Vice Chair for the International Co-Responder Alliance, Community Health Improvement Plan leadership team, Community Health Council, First Responder Advisory Council, Region 7 Healthcare Coalition, and Emergency Preparedness and Response Team Region 7.

Platform

My name is Justin Lemery, I plan, manage, and develop the Tulsa Fire Departments EMS operations, the second largest department in Oklahoma. As the EMS Chief, I oversee 725 members credentials, quality improvement, robotics, 60,000 EMS incidents, direct, plan and manage our Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) program, and special event medical coverage for 150+ events.

A focal point of my work is in MIH. In this space, I have been able to develop and assist the fire service through EMS innovation to improve pre-hospital healthcare delivery, reduce firefighter injuries, and 9-1-1 utilization. Local work consists of working with the fire service leaders to develop programs, create data sharing agreements, and software.

My experience working in various committees and leadership positions provides me with valuable skills and knowledge that will directly benefit me in the Director-At-Large position. Groups such as Stress and Mental Health Leadership team, Methamphetamine Continuum, Suicide Prevention, Children’s Mental Health Initiative, Regions 7 Healthcare Coalition, Emergency Disaster and Response Coalition, among others all show the ability of my skill set to positively impact projects.

A proud accomplishment recently was my participation in developing a community paramedicine program at OSU-FST. This program is a statewide effort to develop the practice through the fire service and ambulance system to improve healthcare delivery. A first in state program.

Education and experience also play a role in my preparation for this position. I have completed a bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration and am projected to finish my master’s degree in public administration in December. I have applied to the EFO program and am awaiting the results of this submission.

I have been fortunate to learn from many great leaders and fire departments around the U.S. over the years. These relationships have helped to build a network around me that I utilize to continuing advancing the fire service and will help me in the position of EMS Section Director-At-Large. This year I will be speaking at 7 conferences that will continue to impact the fire service community and show a commitment towards community risk reduction through EMS.