Jim began his service in
public safety as a lifeguard for a boys and girls club in upstate New York in
the early 1980’s. Jim has served as a volunteer firefighter since 1985 in New
York, Florida, and Virginia, and has held every rank up to Department Chief,
including Assistant Chief of Marine Operations for the
Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department in Northern Virginia. He
earned his instructor certifications within the fire service in 1995 and became
a Commonwealth of Virginia Fire Programs Associate Instructor 1996. Jim is also
a Prince William County Cadre Instructor. He currently holds numerous fire
department certifications for both fire and EMS.
Jim has written
specifications, designed, and purchased equipment for the fire department
including the marine division for the past several years. He has provided input
and design considerations for the MCM, fireboats series “FIRESTORM” and
PHOENIX”. As the training coordinator for the Potomac River Rescue Association,
Jim has planned and conducted several multi-jurisdictional maritime response
drills.
Jim has served on or
currently serves on the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments, Potomac
River Regional Response Plan Committee, and the USCG National Capital Region
Area Maritime Committee.
Currently employed as an
air traffic controller for the FAA, Jim has earned additional instructor
credentials and has helped develop courses that are taught across the country
today. He spent several years researching, designing, and purchasing equipment
used by the FAA in today’s air traffic operations.
Jim also holds a USCG Master 50 Ton License with unlimited radar, and
towing endorsements. Through this experience Jim has become a USCG Approved instructor for
the USCG Merchant Mariner Master Certification, OUPV and Towing courses.
