SUFFOLK FIRE & RESCUE HONORS OFFICER, FIREFIGHTER, AND

PARAMEDIC OF THE YEAR

SUFFOLK, VA (January 28, 2022) The Suffolk Fire & Rescue Department strongly
believes in recognizing its own when they are found to be deserving of accolades. Fire
Chief Michael J. Barakey recently announced the following well-deserved honors:

Officer of the Year: Captain Keith Johnson

Captain Keith W. Johnson started his fire service career by joining the Carrsville
Volunteer Fire Department in 1998. In 2004, Captain Johnson was hired by Suffolk
Fire & Rescue. He was promoted to Fire Lieutenant in 2012 and later was promoted to
Fire Captain in 2016. Currently, Captain Johnson is assigned to Battalion where he
serves as an Acting Battalion Chief in administration. Captain Johnson was awarded a
Medal of Honor by Suffolk Fire & Rescue in 2019.

In 2007, Captain Johnson completed Suffolk Fire & Rescue’s first in-house Paramedic
program through Tidewater Community College. He holds numerous Virginia
Department of Fire Programs Certifications. He obtained his Associate’s Degree
through Paul D. Camp Community College. Captain Johnson has been an
instrumental part of developing Suffolk Fire & Rescue’s Communication Team. He
holds COML and COMT certifications and is also a certified Drone Pilot.

Paramedic of the Year: Master Firefighter Medic Bryant Dodson

Master Firefighter Medic Bryant S. Dodson was hired by Suffolk Fire & Rescue on
May 1, 2017. He graduated from Tidewater Regional Fire Academy Class 144 and
obtained his Paramedic Certification in 2016. Master Firefighter Medic Dodson holds
an Associates of Science degree in Agricultural Technology from Virginia Tech and is
currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Administration.

Master Firefighter Medic Dodson has been assigned to Engine 25, Ladder 5, and
Engine 2. He is currently assigned as a staff instructor in the Training Division.
Master Firefighter Medic Dodson is certified as technician level in the core technical
rescue disciplines and attended Class 6 of the Hampton Roads Fire Officer Academy.

Firefighter of the Year: Master Firefighter Charles Mullen

Master Firefighter Charles Mullen has been with Suffolk Fire & Rescue for 20 years,
serving the last 8 years as a Master Firefighter. He is currently assigned to the Marine
Team which is housed at Fire Station 9 in Chuckatuck. Master Firefighter Mullen was
awarded the Medal of Merit in 2020 by Suffolk Fire & Rescue for being instrumental in
the development of the Department’s Marine Team and procurement of Fire Boat 1.

Master Firefighter Mullen is a member and instructor of the Hampton Roads Regional
Maritime Incident Response Team (MIRT). He was awarded the Port of Virginia
Maritime Incident Response Team Distinguished Service Award in 2021. Master
Firefighter Mullen is a certified National Association of State Boating Law
Administrators Instructor and also holds several United States Coast Guard (USCG)
certifications to include USCG Aux Coxswain and USCG Search and Rescue
coordinator.

Master Firefighter Mullen considers one of his greatest career accomplishments as
being part of a group that established the first maritime response team and water

rescue program for the City of Suffolk. He also helped write a successful Federal
Homeland Security Grant which enabled design, purchase and implementation of the
first all-hazards fireboat in Suffolk’s history.