Birmingham Names 35-Year Veteran Fire Chief

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Birmingham has named John Connaughton, a 35-year veteran of the Birmingham Fire Department as its new fire chief.

Connaughton was sworn into the new position Monday, Hometownlife.com reports.

He said he has always felt call to help others.

“Sadly, sometimes when we go out on a medical runs, the outcome isn’t always happy,” John he said. “But when you have a child in an emergency situation and you’re able to help out and eventually tell the parents that everything is all right, that’s the greatest feeling in the world.”

Before joining the fire department, Connaughton worked in the emergency room of a Livonia hospital as “part of a team that helped people in their worst moments.”

He got his paramedic’s license at the suggestion of a Livonia fire chief, then applied at several departments. Birmingham was the first to call back and offer him a job. He began as a firefighter/paramedic, was promoted to EMS coordinator within a few years, and then joined the command staff as lieutenant and eventually assistant fire chief.

He has been serving as interim chief of the Birmingham Fire Department since former Chief Mike Metz’s retirement in May.

Connaughton said he’s enjoyed the friendships that have developed over the years.

“We start out as young men, most of us unmarried and ready to start our own families,” he said. “We’re there for weddings, we’re there for that first child and we’re there for retirement. So it’s really unique – it’s almost like family members rather than co-workers.”