Richard “Blandon” Johnson III is an Operations Supervisor and Paramedic with Central EMS, a member of the Priority Ambulance family of companies. Since joining the organization in 2023, Blandon has distinguished himself through integrity, steady leadership, clinical excellence, and a lifelong commitment to public service.

Blandon began his career in the fire service, where his accountability and team-centered approach quickly earned the trust of his peers and led to advancement into an officer role. His responsibilities included overseeing field teams, logistics, and fleet operations while strengthening coordination among emergency management, EMS, 911 dispatch, law enforcement, and local government. Those experiences shaped a leadership philosophy centered on preparedness, collaboration, and developing the people around him.

Blandon is particularly passionate about preparing the next generation of public safety leaders. Recognizing the challenges providers face when transitioning into mid-level management, he has developed practical strategies to train, engage, and inspire emerging leaders. Through mentorship, professional resources, and succession planning, he works to ensure that others have the knowledge and support necessary to succeed.

On January 12, 2026, Blandon’s clinical expertise and composure were tested under profoundly personal circumstances. Responding to an emergency at the fire station where his father served as station officer, Blandon found his father unresponsive and without signs of life. Faced with the collision of his roles as both son and Paramedic, Blandon relied on his training to help lead the resuscitation effort. The response was successful, and just 63 days later, his father returned to full duty.

The experience gave Blandon an intensely personal perspective on the impact of emergency medical care and further strengthened his commitment to paramedicine. It reinforced what he has spent his career teaching others: preparation, teamwork, and decisive action can make an extraordinary difference when every moment matters.

Blandon also serves on the Augusta-Richmond County Emergency Disaster Planning Committee, collaborating with fire, law enforcement, and emergency management partners to develop plans, procedures, and protocols that strengthen interagency preparedness and large-scale disaster response.

Through his leadership, mentorship, clinical expertise, resilience, and commitment to community preparedness, Blandon strengthens both the people and systems entrusted with responding when others need help most. Central EMS is proud to recognize Richard “Blandon” Johnson III as an American Ambulance Association Star of Life.