John S. Butler
Fire Chief, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (VA)
John S. Butler is the Fire Chief for Fairfax County (VA) Fire and Rescue Department. He formerly served as fire chief for Howard County (MD) Department of Fire and Rescue Services and was the first chief to have held every rank within that department. He is a paramedic and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Baltimore, a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University, and certificates from Harvard University, the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program, and the Fire Service Executive Development Institute. Chief Butler serves as the International Association of Fire Chiefs President and Board Chair; holds the Chief Fire Officer, Chief EMS Officer, Chief Training Officer, and Fire Marshal designations from the Commission on Professional Credentialing; is chairman of the NFA Board of Visitors; and is a board member of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association. He is a retired U.S. Marine with 20 years of active and reserve service, including two combat tours.