Johnson named assistant fire chief

Adam “AJ” Johnson was promoted to the position of Assistant Chief of the Rhinelander Fire Department Thursday, following a meeting of the city’s police and fire commission.

A 15-year veteran of the department, Johnson succeeds Dan Bauer who passed away in early November after suffering a heart attack.

While Bauer will always be missed, Fire Chief Brian Tonnancour stressed that Johnson is the right person to move the department forward.

“Although, this position is open due to the untimely passing of our friend and colleague Dan Bauer, AJ has earned this position and will be a great leader within the Rhinelander Fire Department,” Tonnancour said in a press release announcing Johnson’s promotion. “It is our aim for AJ to make this position his own while keeping Dan’s legacy intact. AJ has been a consummate professional throughout this whole process and has shown the ability to adapt and overcome many challenges. I have the utmost respect for AJ and look forward to working with him to continue to move the Rhinelander Fire Department forward.”

Johnson told the River News he decided to apply for the assistant chief position because he wants to continue to serve the residents of his hometown.

“It’s some big shoes to fill,” he said. “I’m proud and honored to be selected and I will do the best I can is the best answer I have. And do him proud.”

“Any way you look at it, A.J. earned this position. He deserves to be in this position,” Tonnancour added. “The biggest thing I want him to take away from this is that he makes (the position) his own. Yes, you know it’s big shoes to fill, but most importantly, A.J. needs to make it his. We don’t want A.J. to burn out trying to chase something that’s not there. And I think he’ll do very well and he’ll do it in honor of Dan. Almost everything we do now is in honor of Dan, for the most part, and we’ll always hold him near and dear to our hearts but we have to continue on with business and I think it’s a good time and a good start for the department to start moving forward..”

Johnson’s promotion leaves a lieutenant position open. That will be an internal hiring and Tonnancour said any of the department’s six drivers can apply. The department also needs to fill a bottom level position before it’s once again at full staff. 

The hope is that all positions will be filled by the beginning of March, Tonnancour said.

Johnson was set to officially begin his term as assistant fire chief on Monday, Jan. 27.

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].