The Town of Canton has selected J. Derek Littlejohn as its next fire chief.  Littlejohn has been employed with the Canton Fire Department for the past 28 years and has served in numerous capacities including firefighter, shift lieutenant and captain.  He was appointed interim fire chief in January 2014 after the retirement of Chief Jimmy Campbell.

Littlejohn is a seasoned professional with a wealth of credentials. In addition, he holds certifications in Code Enforcement, Fire Inspection, Fire Law and Administration, and Hazmat Response. As interim chief, Littlejohn oversaw the execution of an automatic aid agreement between Canton and its neighboring fire departments, which drastically increased the level of service for Canton residents by adding additional forces for emergency calls.  

“By strengthening interlocal cooperation, building regional partnerships, and planning for the future, Chief Littlejohn has already begun to usher in significant changes to the department and I am confident he will carry on Canton’s legacy as an effective, highly accountable agency,” says Town Manager Seth Hendler-Voss. “He also has a superb team of passionate professionals working alongside him and together they will build a safer, more secure community.”  

Littlejohn will oversee 8 full-time employees, a small group of volunteers, and a budget of $701,000.  

“I look forward to bringing our agency to new heights and making our community the best it can be,” Littlejohn said.  

In addition to his numerous responsibilities as fire chief, Littlejohn will oversee Canton’s code enforcement program.  

“Setting a new standard for building safety and aesthetics so that the quality of our built environment matches that of our beautiful natural environment is a top priority for Canton,” said Hendler-Voss.