Adam Johnson
Candidate for Powder River County Sheriff
Serving Powder River County with Experience, Integrity, and Commitment to Public Safety
Meet Adam Johnson
My name is Adam Johnson, and I am running for Sheriff of Powder River County.For the past several years, I have had the privilege of serving this community as Director of Emergency Medical Services and as a Critical Care Paramedic. Along with my wife, Cressi Johnson, EMS Captain and Critical Care Paramedic, I have spent countless hours responding to emergencies across this county.I’ve been there on highways, on ranches, and in homes - often during some of the hardest moments people face. That experience has shaped how I understand this community and the responsibility we have to take care of each other.
Serving Powder River County
Since Advanced Life Support services were established in June 2022, I have responded to 613 emergency calls, accounting for approximately 74 percent of all EMS responses during that time.I have also worked more than 2,672 hours on call, covering roughly 86 percent of the county’s EMS coverage.This work has meant being available when people need help—day or night, across a county that spans more than 3,298 square miles.
Building A Stronger Emergency Response System
This work has not just been about responding to calls. It has been about building a stronger emergency response system for Powder River County.Between 2021 and 2022, the county mortality rate was 11 percent. Since late 2022, that rate has dropped to less than 0.5 percent.In 170 critical calls:94 percent of patients survived from the time of the emergency to hospital arrival95 percent survived from the incident through hospital dischargeThese results reflect improvements in training, coordination, and standards of care.Today, Powder River EMS is performing at a level comparable to larger systems in places like Billings, Minneapolis, and New York for survival outcomes. This work has also brought attention from state EMS leaders, who are now looking more closely at the needs and potential of rural healthcare systems in Montana.
Why Frontier Public Safety Is Different
Serving Powder River County has shown me firsthand how much distance matters in an emergency.In a county that covers 3,298 square miles, help is not always close. Response times matter. Coordination matters. And in many situations, the first person to arrive is the only one there for a while.That reality is something every rural or frontier community faces, and it requires practical solutions, not assumptions.
Strengthening Public Safety
Strong public safety in a frontier county depends on coordination between law enforcement, EMS, fire departments, and regional medical partners.I believe that when someone calls for help, a response should be sent.As Sheriff, I will focus on practical steps that improve response and support the community:Strengthen coordination between law enforcement, EMS, and fire servicesEnsure deputies respond when calls for help are receivedExplore cross-training deputies as EMRs or EMTs so care can begin soonerSupport reliable coverage across all areas of the countyContinue prioritizing highway safety and responsible drivingIn many rural areas, deputies are often the first to arrive. Giving them the ability to begin basic life-saving care is a practical step that can make a real difference.
Experience and Training
In addition to my EMS leadership, I also bring prior law enforcement experience as a POST-certified deputy sheriff in Louisiana, where I worked in patrol operations, investigations, and case preparation.My training includes:675 hours of investigative training145 hours of fire and explosion investigation training85 FEMA Emergency Management courses totaling 294 hoursStructural and wildland firefighting certificationsOccupational safety training through OSHAcademyI hold a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Paramedicine from University College Cork in Ireland, along with paramedic training through the Louisiana State University Fire and Emergency Training Institute.I also hold critical care, community paramedicine, and lead trainer endorsements in the State of Montana.
Why I am Running for Sheriff of Powder River County
I decided to run for Sheriff after encouragement from community members and fellow first responders who asked me to continue serving Powder River County in a leadership role.This community is my home, and serving it is something I take seriously.
A Commitment to Serve
My goal is simple:To serve the people of Powder River County with professionalism, fairness, and a commitment to keeping our community safe.