Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Steven Johnson and I have the privilege to serve as the Fire Chief of the Ridge Road Fire District. As a lifelong resident of the Town of Greece I am truly honored to serve as Fire Chief.
The Ridge Road Fire District is a community-centered organization, dedicated to the safety and well-being of the community it serves. The district is grounded in a culture of continuous improvement through thoughtful planning driven by data and self-analysis, as well as sensible fiscal practices which support our mission. This organizational management practice is demonstrated through the independent verification and validation of the fire district’s operations by the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) and the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). The district is proud to have been the first organization in New York State to be accredited in 2005 and just completed its most recent evaluation for 2021-2025. In addition, the Insurance Service Organization (ISO) currently rates the district as a Class II fire department, a rating held by only 20 fire departments in New York.
Throughout our 17 square miles of response area, is a mixture of residential, commercial, industrial, schools, major roadways, several hotels, and manufacturing buildings as well as a large health care campus that exists within the district. To manage emergencies and public safety demands stemming from such a diverse property composition, the district staffs three (3) fire stations with highly trained, skilled, and professional personnel who excel in teamwork and problem-solving.
In addition to emergency services that include firefighting, rescue, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as well as hazardous materials response, district personnel are also committed to the overall wellness and safety of the community that we serve through our community outreach efforts. Community outreach is highlighted by our long-standing fire safety education program that delivers age-appropriate fire safety lessons annually at all elementary schools located within the district in an attempt to provide each child in grades K-6 these valuable lessons. Further wellness initiatives include smoke and carbon monoxide alarm awareness, and our ongoing efforts to teach the lifesaving skill of CPR.
We are proud to serve the citizens, visitors, and businesses of the district in their times of need, and we strive to identify developing trends within our community so we can shape our programs and services accordingly. Through several progressive initiatives, our goal is to continue to improve and refine the services we provide to the community in a fiscally responsible manner.
Steven Johnson, Fire Chief
Chief Johnson began his career with the fire district in 1999 and rose through the ranks until his appointment to chief in December 2020. During his 21 year career with the district, Chief Johnson has served in many capacities including Municipal Training Officer (MTO), a member of the district’s Health and Safety Committee, and as the personnel scheduling manager. Additionally, Steve has served as an active participant with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) assisting locally with fundraising efforts, and serving several times as a family escort during the National Fallen Firefighters memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Chief Johnson holds an Associates Degree in Fire Protection Technology from Monroe Community College and recently completed the National Certification for Fire Officer III. Steve has had a steadfast commitment to the fire district throughout his career and has invested in his personal as well as professional growth and development which have prepared him for the duties of fire chief for the Ridge Road Fire District.
