Bryan Elected Long Run Fire Chief

Back in 2010, she joined the Long Run Fire Department as a member, a firefighter. In 2013, she became one of three captains in the all-volunteer force. After a stint as a captain, she continued to keep Valley County safe as a deputy chief, and then as an assistant chief. And after nominations in November and a vote in December, Sara Johnson Bryan will be taking over as chief in January, 2019.

As she looks forward to the future of the department, Bryan doesn't anticipate drastic changes, but instead points to past successes and plans to build on those. One of those successes was the acquisition of a used extrication truck from a department in Pennsylvania. "This was a big accomplishment," said Bryan. "The old one was dying on us. This is a much more reliable truck." She also expressed hope that a new grass rig would be put into service before the summer.

Bryan further highlighted how past experiences with the department will help guide her leadership. She is actively pursuing additional funding for Long Run, giving credit to a GoFundMe effort spearheaded by Angela Austin to get new radios for the department. Bryan has already submitted a number of grant applications, including one from the Theo and Alyce Beck Foundation. In addition to obtaining funds for new equipment, Bryan also intends on volunteers receiving more training.

"Oh yeah!" exclaimed Bryan when asked if she planned to make Glasgow her permanent home. Bryan is a life-time Valley Country resident, having gone to school in Nashua and Glasgow. She is now raising a one-year-old boy with her husband Kenny, who is also a volunteer member of LRFD. She works at the local State Farm office selling insurance.

"I'm looking forward to it. If anyone has any concerns or questions, we are willing to answer. And of course, we could always use more people. That can be hard with an all-volunteer force," Bryan said, before concluding happily, "This is like a second family and that's nice."