Coatesville panel accepts fire chief's resignation

Coatesville City Council announced the resignation of its embattled fire chief Monday night. Kevin Johnson, 46, a former volunteer firefighter for the city who became its part-time chief in 2006, submitted his letter of resignation Monday morning.

It was Johnson's second attempt to resign. In May 2008 - amid complaints about his leadership during a scourge of 70 arsons that hit the Coatesville area - the council did not accept his resignation. Johnson, who works full time as a firefighter at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, supervised a staff of 18 paid firefighters supplemented by volunteers in Coatesville. Jim Lentz, a full-time career Coatesville firefighter, was named acting chief. - Kathleen Brady Shea