VIDEO: After four decades of answering emergency calls, Robert Statler is stepping away from his post as chief of the Johnstown Fire Department. Statler, 59, is retiring Friday following a career that spanned paramedic work, firefighting, and city leadership. According to our media partners at The Tribune-Democrat, Statler has been chief since 2019 and spent 29 years with the department. Before becoming a firefighter, Statler served nine years as a professional paramedic. His public safety career spans 40 years, a milestone he said contributed to his decision to retire.
As chief, Statler led a team of nearly three dozen full- and part-time firefighters who respond to roughly 3,000 calls annually. Under his leadership, the department handled fires, crashes, overdoses, storm emergencies and code enforcement while securing grants for vital equipment. Statler also briefly served as co-city manager and Johnstown’s emergency director.
