By CHARLENE PAUL
Moapa Valley Progress
Lifetime Moapa Valley resident Captain Bill Johnson ate his last supper with the crew of his fire station on Sunday, May 6. After 35 years of service on the Las Vegas Fire and Rescue, Johnson officially retired. He will be missed by those with whom he has worked, but says is ready for retirement.
“I am amazed that, as of April 30, 2019, I completed 35 years with the Las Vegas Fire and Rescue,” Johnson said. “I started with the Las Vegas Fire Department at the old Station 2 at 28th and Charleston, and it has been a wild ride ever since.”
Johnson’s family has supported him throughout his years of service.
“It was because of my family I started in the Fire Department,” he said, “and it is because of my family I am ready to retire.”
In 1982, Johnson and several other members of the Moapa Valley community were part of establishing the very first volunteer paramedic service in the state of Nevada.
Johnson also taught many EMT, Paramedic and Firefighter classes, training many new paid and volunteer responders in the region. He held classes in Moapa Valley, Mesquite, Las Vegas, Clark County, Metro and even for Las Vegas hotel staffs.
“I taught the downtown Las Vegas hotel security personnel how to use AEDs for medical emergencies,” Johnson said. “I’m probably one of the older certified medics in Clark County. I’ve been certified for the past 33 years.”
Johnson also served as Moapa Valley Fire District Chief for three years.
Johnson fondly remembers spending long hours in volunteer emergency services efforts in the Moapa Valley community. But he was devoted to serving the community. Even his wife, Sue, got involved in the effort.
“When we first started (paramedic services) and were doing our own transporting to Las Vegas or St. George, we would spend 8-0 hours from start to finish,” Johnson said. “I think Sue joined the volunteers so she could spend time with me.”
Johnson said one of the first things he is going to do after retirement is to try to normalize his sleep patterns and make sure his health is good.
He also plans to take a few trips and go on some big game hunts. He is looking forward to family time with kids and grandkids and to traveling wherever the wind blows with his wife, Sue.
Sue is also looking forward to Johnson’s retirement.
“It may sound strange to some, but I can’t wait to have my husband around full-time,” Sue said. “And I have a honey-do list a mile long!”
There will be a celebration of Johnson’s service and retirement on Saturday, May 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the outdoor pavilion directly behind the Hinckley Ave church building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1615 Hinckley Ave in Logandale. All are invited to drop by and congratulate him.
“Come and have some food, and let’s just talk for a while,” Johnson invited.
