Treutlen County Fire & Rescue Grows in 2025
mrandolphadvance@gmail.com
Treutlen County’s fire and rescue resources grew tremendously throughout 2025, as a homegrown hero returned to lead the Treutlen County Fire Department and the Treutlen County Dive Team continued to gain experience, training, and funding.
In July, the City of Soperton and Treutlen County officials announced that John Johnson had been appointed as the area’s new fire chief. Johnson has over 35 years of experience in fire service, as he first began working in the field when he joined the Soperton Volunteer Fire Department in September 1988. His passion for serving the community continued to grow through his years within the Department, and continued after Johnson moved to Milledgeville, where he served on the Baldwin County Fire Department.
While in Milledgeville, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Public Safety Administration from Georgia College and State University, leading him to become a full-time firefighter with the Baldwin County Fire Department in 1992. Johnson spent several years with the Department, and even climbed to the rank of “Apparatus Operator” while serving with this team.
Johnson utilized his knowledge of fire service and fire safety as the Southeastern Region Arson and Hazardous Materials Compliance Officer for the Georgia State Fire Marshal’s Office when he returned to Soperton after obtaining his degree. He also continued to volunteer his expertise in fire service, as he worked with the Soperton Fire Department while serving as this compliance officer.
When Johnson was transferred to the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, he continued to serve as both a firefighter and an instructor, as he volunteered his fire service at the Monroe County Emergency Services Department and excelled as a GPSTC Staff Instructor. As an instructor, Johnson taught both basic firefighter and live fire training classes, and achieved Manager Status for both programs.
He continued to excel in his career, as he soon became a Fire Service Program Manager, where he oversaw firefighter state and national certifications for the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council.
Johnson worked in the private sector of the field, as he served as a Field Representative for the Insurance Services Organization. In this position, he evaluated over 500 fire departments to determine their public protection classification, which affects the surrounding area’s home insurance rates. In addition to this, he worked as the Health and Safety Manager for large industrial facilities, as he instructed employees on Life Safety training in compliance with OSHA regulations across the nation.
In recent years, Johnson has returned to his roots, moving back to Soperton and rejoining the local volunteer fire department, and now, serving as the Fire Chief. 'I am honored to serve as Fire Chief and provide leadership to our dedicated firefighters. Our mission is to ensure the safety of our community, and I am committed to fostering a culture of excellence and service,” he remarked. Remembering the Longtime Chief In August, Treutlen County firefighters and citizens mourned the loss of longtime Fire Chief Phil Wilcher, who passed away on August 27.
Wilcher was born in Vidalia on November 9, 1952, but was a lifelong resident of Treutlen County, and even graduated from Treutlen High School in 1970. After high school, he worked at the Soperton Guano Plant and Harrell’s IGA before becoming a Ranger One Firefighter for the Georgia Forestry Commission; he served in the Commission from 1986 until 2010.
In 1989, he stepped up to lead his county as the Soperton/Treutlen County Fire Chief, where he served the county until his retirement from both the Forestry Commission and the County in 2010. After retiring, Wilcher still had a desire to be out in the community, so he worked at the Soperton Farm Center, where it is said that he never met a stranger and continued building relationships with many in the community, from 2015 until 2025.
Wilcher was honored with a memorial service at the Anchor of Hope Worship Center in Soperton on Saturday, August 30, and received formal firefighter honors during his burial at the Westview Cemetery. During the funeral procession, two fire trucks from surrounding departments saluted Wilcher with the ceremonial Iron Cross formation, as firefighters paid their respects to the man who led the County for so long. Musicians also played the traditional bagpipe and dueling trumpet salute during the graveside service.
$10,000 Donation
In September, members of the Harmony Lodge 405 presented the new Treutlen County Dive Team, which specializes in underwater tactical continued from page
rescues, with a check for $10,000 during a Public Servant Appreciation Dinner at the Soperton Masonic Lodge.
The Treutlen County Underwater Tactical Unit made up entirely of volunteers, is a specialized dive team dedicated to serving their community through underwater search and rescue operations. With 14 certified divers and two new members in training, the team provides critical emergency support when time, coordination, and technical skills are essential.
Formed less than a year ago, the unit was established to meet a local need. Before its creation, the nearest dive team was in Cedar Crossing, Georgia. Joseph Glenn, Deputy EMA Director for Treutlen County, leads the effort and trains all new recruits personally. “Each individual has invested time and money to get this up and running,” Glenn said. “We’ve created a team of first responders ready to respond to underwater emergencies.”
Glenn has been diving since 2006 and teaching diving since 2010. His extensive background has shaped the rigorous standards now expected of all team members. “I want our team to be prepared to operate at the highest level,” he said. “I have active divers— they may not always have the time, but they have the dives.”
All members are required to hold at least an open water certification and then pursue additional credentials such as rescue diver and public safety diver. While the county funds advanced certifications, each diver pays for their initial training. “We’re working hard to obtain grants to help fund gear and training,” Glenn said.
Glenn’s connection to water runs deep. Raised near Lake Myers, he began water skiing at age four and enjoyed being on the water every chance he got. While he was attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) in Tifton, Georgia, a friend introduced him to scuba diving. Originally planning to become a marine biologist, Glenn changed course but never lost his passion for the water. He later led the Tift County Dive Team and tried to establish a similar program in Bulloch County before joining Treutlen County EMA.
The Treutlen County Dive Team has already responded to six calls this year. Their responsibilities include body recovery, boating accidents, and evidence retrieval. “Nine times out of ten, we’re called for a body recovery,” Glenn noted. The team is composed of deputies, EMA staff, firefighters, a paramedic, and an EMT.
Dive responses are carefully coordinated. When a call is received, leadership gathers details and decides whether to place the team on standby. Once standby is confirmed, dive members confirm availability, and the team gears up at EMA headquarters before heading to the scene. Once on-site, a staging area is established, and a briefing is held to prepare divers for the mission.
The team’s reputation is growing. Neighboring counties such as Laurens, Dodge, Wheeler, and Toombs now recognize their capability and readiness.
“Each dive is significant to me,” Glenn said. “There was one mission that really showed how far we’ve come. Seeing the team work together efficiently and professionally proved we were an asset to the community. In even the most tragic situations, we do whatever we can to bring closure to families.”
To ensure the team is prepared for any environment, training is conducted in Florida springs, local dive spots, and the Florida Keys. Glenn holds his divers to high standards to be a team that can perform at its best.
Although funding has remained a challenge, this $10,000 donation from the Harmony Lodge will help to further the team’s ability to serve the community. “We’re here to help,” Glenn said. “I just wish more people knew that we’re here if they ever need us.”
IRON CROSS – Local firefighters honored late longtime Treutlen County/Soperton Fire Chief Phil Wilcher with the ceremonial Iron Cross formation during Wilcher’s funeral processional on Saturday, August 30.
TREUTLEN COUNTY DIVE TEAM — Members of the Treutlen County Dive Team conduct a training exercise at a local waterway. The team practices search-and-recovery techniques regularly to stay prepared for emergency callouts.
