About Us

​The Charlotte Fire Department is led by Fire Chief Reginald Johnson . There are three deputy fire chiefs, each assigned to manage specific divisions/content areas in the department.

There are also six division chiefs to further facilitate communication and collaboration across the Charlotte Fire Department and to enhance opportunities to immerse the fire department into neighborhoods for better community impact across the city.  

Fire Chief Reginald T. Johnson comes to the City of Charlotte Fire Department from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department with nearly 25 years of experience.  Chief Johnson has a Master's of Science degree in Emergency Management and a Bachelor's degree in Management Studies from the University of Maryland University College.  He is an alternate on the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1710 Committee and has professional membership with the IAFC, Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, IABPFF, and IAFF. 

 

While Operations Chief for Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, he supervised nearly 1,300 uniformed men and women operating from 38 fire and rescue stations. Fire Chief Johnson managed the deployments and responses of fire suppression, technical rescues, swift water rescues, hazardous materials, and emergency medical services. His responsibilities also included basic and advanced life support and emergency medical transportation for the protection of over 1 million residents. 

 

Additionally, Fire Chief Johnson oversaw the Urban Search and Rescue Program (USA-1/VA-TF1), which is a disaster response and humanitarian resource maintained by the department through partnerships with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

Deputy Chief Howard "Pete" Key became a member of the Charlotte Fire Department on August 24, 1977, and was interm Fire Chief from September 1, 2017 - April 30, 2018.

He was promoted to Fire Captain on June 24, 1984, serving in that capacity until October 28, 1998 when he was promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief.  Deputy Chief Key was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief on December 25, 2004.  Deputy Chief Key has an Associate's degree in Fire Protection Technology from CPCC and a Bachelor's degree in Fire Safety Engineering Technology from UNCC. He is also a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

 

Chief Key is a graduate of the City of Charlotte's Dimensions in Leadership program, Trailblazers Leadership program, and the Institute of Government at the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill. He holds the National Fire Academy Mid-Manager's Certification, and graduated from their Fire Department Operations at Target Hazards program. Throughout his career he has been active serving on various internal and external committees.  

Chief Key is a leader for various community organizations.  He serves on the Urban Boy Scouts Committee, is a member of the United Way Crown Club, member of the Queen City Optimist Club, and is an avid supporter of the Arts and Science Council. 

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Chief Gordon has been a part of the North Carolina Fire Service for more than thirty years.  He began his fire service career on May 25, 1984 as a member of the Waco Community Volunteer Fire Department in Cleveland County, and served as Fire Chief from July 01, 1991 until July 31, 2017.  Chief Gordon continues to serve the Waco Community Volunteer Fire Department today as a Member, Chairman to the Board of Directors, and Chairman to the Local Relief Fund Board.  He has served in various positions with the Cleveland County Firefighters' Association, as well as the Cleveland County Rural Fire Commission, where he currently serves as the Chairman. 

Chief Gordon is a career firefighter with the Charlotte Fire Department.  He began his career there in 1991, and, as a Captain, served in several special assignments, including Training Officer from 1999-2002, and Haz-Mat Captain from 2002-2005.  He was promoted to Battalion Chief in 2005 and served as Chief of Training from 2007-2015.  In 2015, Chief Gordon was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief and is assigned as the Deputy Chief of Administration.  He has also served as an elected Trustee for the Charlotte Firefighter's Retirement System since 2005.

Chief Gordon holds an Associate's Degree in Fire Protection Technology from Central Piedmont Community College, a Bachelor's Degree in Fire Science from the University of Maryland, a Master's Degree in Fire Protection and Administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and graduated from the National Fire Academy's prestigious Executive Fire Officer Program.  He has also been designated as a Chief Fire Officer, Chief Training Officer, and Chief EMS Officer by the Center for Public Safety Excellence. 

Chief Gordon currently serves as a Director on the Executive Board of the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs and is a Past President of the North Carolina Firefighters' Association.  He has received the following recognitions: 2013 Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year Award from the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs and 2014 Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year from the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs for his work and dedication to his volunteer department.   

Chief Gordon is a member of the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System Board of Trustees, serving as the fire service appointee for Governor Pat McCrory.  He is a member of the North Carolina Fire and Rescue Commission, serving as the appointee for North Carolina House of Representatives Speaker Tim Moore.  He is also a member of the North Carolina Fire and Rescue Commission's Certification Board, for which he currently serves as the Chairman of the Board.

 

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