Shown in the photo above us a picture of Timothy “TJ” Johnson who died in October.

A Warren County fire chief is one of six Pennsylvania individuals who will be remembered during the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s 43rd National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, Md. This year’s tribute will honor 89 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2023 and 137 firefighters who died in previous years on Saturday and Sunday.

Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department Chief Timothy “TJ” Johnson, 56, of the Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department, responded to an emergency medical call at a residence on Oct. 16. After returning to the station, he complained that he was not feeling well. Upon returning home, an ambulance was called, and he was transported to the hospital where he died on Oct. 17, 2023, due to a heart attack.

Johnson was born in Warren and was a 1985 graduate of Warren Area High School, according to his obituary. He received a degree in computer science from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and was then employed by Whirley Industries, most recently as the company’s IT director.

He was a member of the Pleasant VFD for 37 years and an EMT for over 35 years.

He’s survived by his wife, Kathy, two children, Michael and Emily and one grandson, Liam.

“National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to pause and reflect on the heroic efforts and selfless service of the fallen firefighters we are paying tribute to this year,” said NFFF CEO Victor Stagnaro. “We will always remember the bravery, commitment, and sacrifices of each of these 226 heroes — and their families.”

There are two events open to the public at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park on the grounds of the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) during Memorial Weekend.

The National Fallen Firefighters Candlelight Service is on May 4 at 7:30 p.m. and will be hosted by Fire Captain Garon Mosby of the St. Louis Fire Department. The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service is on May 5 at 10 a.m. and will be hosted by actor Jeremy Holm.

Fire service and government leaders are scheduled to address the thousands of attendees at the Memorial Service on Sunday, May 5. The foundation will live stream both events on the NFFF’s website (firehero.org), YouTube channel, and Facebook page.

There are additional events during Memorial Weekend provided exclusively for the families and fire departments of honored firefighters. These include small group sessions and other activities throughout Friday and Saturday; they are open to the families and coworkers of newly honored and previously honored firefighters.