As John Butler prepares to become the next chief of Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, his eyes are wide open about the turmoil the agency has undergone in recent years, yet is confident the department’s best years are in the near future. In a WTOP interview, Butler — who has risen through the ranks of the Howard County, Maryland, Department of Fire and Rescue Services and was appointed chief in 2014 — said he is dedicated to helping the Fairfax department move past recent complaints that management wasn’t doing enough to fight sexual harassment and discrimination within county firehouses.
On Sept. 1, Butler will take control of the department, replacing Richard Bowers, who retired in April.