A life of service: John Mathis returns to his roots as fire chief

Chief John Mathis, of Douglas County Consolidated Fire District No. 1, didn’t set out to become a firefighter. 

He started as a nuclear engineering major at Texas A&M University and then later attended Louisiana State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in printmaking. In 1992, he moved to Lawrence to pursue graduate studies in fine arts at the University of Kansas.

But a serious vehicle accident a few years earlier led him toward a different career path: one grounded in purpose, community and resilience.

Life-changing experience

At age 20, Mathis was in a car wreck outside Baton Rouge.  He and his roommate were returning from a softball game when the tie rod failed, sending their vehicle into a light post. It took first responders two and a half hours to free him from the wreckage. He suffered multiple injuries, including broken legs.

What stayed with him wasn’t the pain, but the calm presence of the rescuers. Once he saw their gear and heard their voices, Mathis said he relaxed. “I knew they were going to take care of me,” he said.

In the years since that wreck, he has become that calm voice on the other side of emergencies as a first responder. 

Mathis quotes author Kurt Vonnegut: “I can think of no more stirring symbol of man’s humanity to man than a fire engine.” As fire chief, he reminds his staff that their uniforms and gear are instantly recognizable and represent a promise to serve.

“It is the greatest job in the world,” Mathis said. “New York City Fire Department used to have bumper stickers that said, ‘Greatest Job in the World.’ After 9/11, they had bumper stickers that said, ‘Still the Greatest Job in the World.’”

A longtime career

In 1993, Mathis left graduate school and began working at Wakarusa Township Fire Department, where he served 20 years with 10 of those as assistant fire chief. He also worked for Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical (LDCFM) for 29 years, starting in 1995.

Over the years, he earned numerous certifications and completed extensive training as a paramedic, firefighter and instructor. In 2008, he received an associate’s degree in emergency medical services (EMS) with a minor in fire administration from Johnson County Community College. 

At LDCFM, he served on the technical rescue team, health and safety team and as a shift trainer, among other positions. For 13 years, he served as a structure collapse technician for the Kansas State Fire Marshal as part of Kansas Task Force 2.

In 2013, he stepped away from Wakarusa Township Fire Department to spend more time with his family, especially his mother who had Alzheimer’s disease and was living with them at the time. Still committed to public service, he joined the Willow Springs Fire District Board and served as secretary for three years.

He retired from LDCFM on his 56th birthday in January 2024, following a battle with throat cancer that required seven weeks of chemotherapy and radiation. Today, he says he’s “doing great.”

Returning ‘home’

About five months into retirement, Mathis learned Douglas County was seeking an interim fire chief for Consolidated Fire District No. 1. He had been teaching classes there and agreed to step in. In July 2025, he was officially appointed fire chief.

“It’s home,” he said. “It’s a place I care about.”

Formed in 2021, Consolidated Fire District No. 1 serves unincorporated areas of Douglas County. It was created through the unification of five rural fire departments - Wakarusa, Clinton, Kanwaka, Eudora and Lecompton townships - and one EMS first response agency, Clarion Springs EMS.

As fire chief, Mathis oversees five employees, about 60 volunteers and a $2.2 million budget. His responsibilities include ensuring reliable fire protection and emergency services for residents and travelers as well as safeguarding the health and safety of his team.

Consolidated Fire District No. 1 responds to about 1,100 calls annually, including fire alarms, house fires, grass fires, vehicle accidents and medical emergencies. While most fire departments handle about 70% medical calls and 30% fire calls, Mathis said the rural landscape shifts that balance. In his district, it’s closer to an even split with about 50% medical calls and 50% fire-related incidents, largely due to the prevalence of grass fires.

“I love learning and doing what I do,” he said. “It’s critical decision-making in real time.”

For large-scale incidents, Consolidated Fire District No. 1 collaborates with township, city, county and state departments as well as other entities such as Douglas County Emergency Management and Public Works.

“When we need help, we ask our friends,” he said. “And vice versa.”

Mathis cherishes his “fire family” and is glad to be back at the kitchen table, a place where meaningful conversations happen.

"At the table, there’s a shared suffering – freezing temperatures, late nights, running calls,” he said. “We just feed off each other. They know things my family doesn’t know - and doesn’t need to.”

Mathis also emphasizes the importance of mental health in the fire service. Firefighters face elevated risks of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and burnout due to the emotional and physical demands of the job.

“I have one PSA,” he said. “Don’t ever ask a firefighter about their worst calls. They don’t want to relive it.”

Family and coaching

Originally from Houston, Mathis didn’t expect to settle in Lawrence until he met his wife, Wendi, who teaches at Lawrence College and Career Center. They met at Runza, where she worked at the time. He jokes that he invited himself to her house, and they watched “Field of Dreams.” He later proposed to her in a cornfield at the movie’s filming location in Dyersville, Iowa. They’ve been married 28 years and have three children, ages 21, 19 and 14.

Outside of firefighting, Mathis enjoys playing and coaching lacrosse. He coached the Lawrence Lacrosse team for 10 years and now coaches for Mill Valley Lacrosse.

For 12 years, he traded in his turnout gear for a Santa suit during Downtown Lawrence’s annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony and Santa Rescue, delighting children as firefighters “rescued” him from the roof of Weaver’s Department Store. He enjoyed asking them what they wanted for Christmas and whether they had been good that year.  “The kids were awesome,” he said.
 

‘Deeply dedicated’ to fire service

Douglas County Deputy Administrator Sean Pederson described Mathis as a leader with deep field experience and knowledge of the department. 

“He has led the department through a critical period of evaluating and planning. His leadership will be key in implementing a strategic plan and working to build a stronger organization.”

Mathis’s goals include developing a three- to five-year strategic plan and fostering leadership within the department to meet the evolving needs of the community.

McKenzi Ezell, chief of staff for Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical, said, “Mathis leads with empathy and demonstrates a deep dedication to both fire service and the community he serves.”

His colleague Kirsten Rhoads, administrative specialist, describes him as humble. “He is truly passionate about fire service, developing officers and leaders in the department, and providing emergency response within Douglas County.”