The Dresden Volunteer Fire Department announced the death of Past Chief, Life Member, and longstanding EMS Captain Jim Johns, who had served the department for 64 years. Throughout his decades of service, Johns was noted for his commitment to emergency medical response and leadership in the department. He was instrumental in expanding the department's first responder program and developing many of the EMS techniques that are still used today.

Johns was recalled by department members as a compassionate caretaker who genuinely cared about each patient, as well as a leader who cared profoundly about the community and his fellow firefighters.