The Holland Department of Public Safety is pleased to announce that Firefighter/Paramedic Jacob Johnson has been selected as the department’s 2026 Firefighter of the Year. Jacob was nominated by his co-workers and selected to receive this distinguished honor. He is recognized for the consistent hard work he invests in several areas of the department, including EMS, apparatus maintenance, and training. These contributions embody the department’s core values of Compassion, Respect, Integrity, Professionalism, and Dedication.
Jacob began his career with the department in 2019, and since then, there have been several instances in which he has demonstrated the department’s core values. These include his commitment to professionalism, demonstrated by his ongoing pursuit of additional training and personal development through continued attendance at advanced fire and EMS educational programs. Jacob has also exercised the core value of leadership as the department’s EMS Instructor Coordinator and has developed a continuous quality improvement system for the department’s EMS program. In addition, he has taken on the role of lead instructor for the Ottawa County Fire Academy and coordinates and leads instruction for academy participants in the southern portion of Ottawa County.
Co-workers know him as someone who wants those around him to succeed and be the best they can be. He is known for his compassion and awareness of others, placing others before himself.
Jacob earned an Associate of Science degree in EMS from Lansing Community College. He has earned several certifications and credentials, including Michigan Firefighter I&II, Michigan Fire Officer I&II certification as a Paramedic, EMS IC, and MFFTC Instructor II. Over the course of his career with the department, Jacob has earned 9 lifesaving awards. These serve as a testament to his commitment to providing professional and compassionate care in our community. Please join us in congratulating Firefighter/Paramedic Jacob Johnson on his well-deserved honor.