Alijuan (A.J.) Johnson-Melvin decided he wanted to volunteer in his hometown, so he joined Garland Fire and Rescue in 2014. He obtained his firefighter and EMT certifications by taking classes at different fire departments throughout Sampson, Bladen, Cumberland, and Duplin Counties. Since 2018 A.J. has worked as a part-time firefighter at the Beaver Dam Fire Department, the Westarea Fire Department, and the Taylors Bridge Fire Department. These part-time positions helped him get the experience he needed to become a full-time firefighter and in July of 2019 he accepted a full-time firefighter position with the Fuquay-Varina Fire Department where he is currently a Firefighter I assigned to B-shift.
When asked what he likes most about his job, A.J. replied, “I absolutely love riding the fire truck, but the most exciting thing about my job is that every single day is different. Every single call is different, and it is a never ending learning experience.”
In his spare time, A.J. still works part-time at Westarea and Taylors Bridge Fire Departments. He also enjoys hunting, riding horses, and a little fishing.