Three members of the Laurel Fire Department were sworn into their new positions by Laurel Mayor Johnny Magee Friday morning, August 7.
The positions became available when former Battalion Chief Leo Brown was promoted to Fire Chief in July with the retirement of Chief Mark Nichols.
L-R, Ladonna Tisdale, Battalion Chief Timothy Tisdale, and Mayor Johnny Magee. Photo/Linda Cranford
Stepping into the position of Battalion Chief is Capt. Timothy Tisdale, a 29-year veteran of the Laurel Fire Department.
“This is a big accomplishment for me,” stated Tisdale. “I’ve worked for this goal all my career. It’s a big challenge.”
Tisdale’s dad, Wilford Tisdale, held the Bible during the swearing-in ceremony, and Tisdale’s wife, Ladonna Tisdale, pinned him with his Batallion Chief Collar Pin.
L-R, Dena Lowery, Capt. Brad Lowery, and Mayor Johnny Magee. Photo/Linda Cranford
Taking Tisdale’s position as Captain is Lt. Brad Lowery, who has been with the LFD for 12.5 years.
“This is the first step in a line of goals I’ve set for myself,” said Lowery.
His wife, Dena Lowery, held the Bible during the swearing-in and said, “He works hard, and he’s a leader. He always has been, in High School, he was a State FFA Officer. I think he will do good.”
L-R, Chief Billy Johnson, Lt. Lonnie Johnson, Matthew Johnson, and Mayor Johnny Magee. Photo/Linda Cranford
Firefighter Lonnie Johnson takes Lowery’s position as lieutenant. Johnson has been with the LFD all together 26 years. However, 10.5 of those years were spent in active duty in the military at Camp Shelby, where Johnson served as a Weapons Instructor.
“This is a stepping stone in advancing my career and helping firefighters coming behind us,” said Johnson.
Johnson’s younger brother, Jackson Fire Department Training Division Chief Billy Johnson, pinned him with his Lieutenant’s Collar Pin and said, “He’s my big brother, and he’s a great instructor. He likes to train. We have the same mission, to leave the department in better condition than it was before we came by training others to provide service to the cities we serve.”
Johnson’s son, Matthew Johnson, a probation and parole officer with the State Department of Corrections, held the Bible during the swearing-in and said, “This is well deserved. He works hard.”