John Seton Butler has served as the Fire Chief for Fairfax County, Virginia, since September 2018, bringing experience and a distinguished career in fire and emergency services to the role. Prior to his tenure in Fairfax County, Chief Butler made history in Howard County, Maryland, where he served as Fire Chief and holds the distinction of being the first and only individual to have risen through every rank within that fire department.
An active paramedic, Chief Butler is deeply committed to emergency medical services. His academic achievements include a bachelor’s degree from the University of Baltimore and a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University. He has earned executive education certificates from Johns Hopkins Public Safety Leadership Program, Harvard University, the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program, and the Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI).
Chief Butler is a recognized leader on the national and international stage. He served as 147th President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and now serves as President of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association. He served as the Chair of the Board of Visitors for the National Fire Academy. His professional designations include Chief Fire Officer, Chief EMS Officer, Chief Training Officer, and Fire Marshal designations from the Center for Public Safety Excellence Commission on Professional Credentialing.
Beyond his fire and emergency services career, John is a retired United States Marine with over 20 years of dedicated active and reserve service, including two combat action infantry tours of duty.
