Washington County

Commissioner J. Bracken Burns, Sr.

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Bracken Burns has been associated with Washington County government since 1971. Prior to his election to the Board of Commissioners in 1995, Bracken was the director of the Washington County Emergency Services Department.

Since taking office in January of 1996, Commissioner Burns has been a full-time commissioner. A brief list of his accomplishments includes:
  • Spearheaded construction of the 50 bed Alzheimer’s' Unit at the Washington County Health Center.
  • Initiated the Furlough in to Service (FITS) Program that utilizes non-violent prisoners to perform work details for municipal, civic, and non-profit organizations. Since the inception of the program, more than 2,000 clients have provided more than 100,000 man-hours of labor, valued at well over a million dollars, have been provided to the county.
  • Led the effort that resulted in Conrail donating 17.3 miles of railroad right-of-way and $100,000 toward the development of The Panhandle Trail.
  • Rallied 7,457 county residents to volunteer over 22,000 hours of labor for beautification and clean-up projects.
  • Developed an Attendant Care Training Program to aid elderly and disabled citizens.
  • Led historic preservation efforts to restore and utilize the old jail as a Family Court Center.



Commissioner Burns has been honored to represent Washington County in a number of positions at the regional, state, and national level including:
  • Chairman of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Corporation's (SPC) Board of Directors*
  • Chairman of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania's (CCAP) Board of Directors*
  • President of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania's (CCAP)*
  • Vice Chairman of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania's (CCAP) Sustainable Communities Task Force*
  • Chairman of the County Commissioners of Pennsylvania's (CCAP) Community and Economic Development Committee*
  • Pennsylvania Enhanced 9-1-1 Emergency Services Advisory Committee
  • Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Region History Center – Board of Trustees
  • National Conservation Leaders Network – Board of Directors
  • University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics – Fellow
  • WQED Community Advisory Board
  • Local Government Academy – Board of Directors
  • Women & Girls foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania – Board of Directors
  • Little Lake Theatre – Board of Directors – Chairman
  • California University of PA School of Social Work – Advisor
  • Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Museum – Co-chairman
  • Washington Symphony Orchestra – Board of Directors
  • Washington County Health Partners – Founding Member and Past Chairman*
  • Mental Health Association – Board of Directors
  • Mental Health/Mental Retardation Advisory Board
  • Western Area Career & Technology Center – Advisor
  • SPC Water Policy Committee

* Former


Commissioner Burns is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, has attended The Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at The University of Pittsburgh, and was a fellowship recipient and graduate of the Rural Affairs Leadership Program at Penn State University.

While serving the county for more than 21 years in the emergency services field, Bracken acquired more than 2000 hours of emergency services training and numerous certifications including EMT, paramedic, and state and national certified emergency manager.
Bracken has appeared in more than 60 plays in the Pittsburgh region and appeared as “The Doctor” in the movie “Reversal.”

Honors include:
  • Teen Outreach Social Justice Award – 2009
  • Presbyterian Senior Care Difference Award – 2008
  • Green Building Alliance Shades of Green Leadership Award – 2008
  • Pittsburgh 250 – Honorary Co-Chairman
  • NAACP Human Rights Award – 2007
  • NAIOP Supporter of Development Award – 2006
  • Arthritis Foundation Walk Honorary Chairman – 2006
  • Mental Health President’s Award – 2005
  • IUP-Armstrong Branch Distinguished Alumni – 2004
  • Friend of 4-H Award – 2003
  • Emergency Medical Service Great Educator Award – 1999
  • Mental Health Neighbor of the Year Award - Recipient – 1991