James L. Jester
Jeez… where do I start? I guess it was the childhood dream; growing up to be a fireman. My grandfather was granted membership in the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company in 1923. His son, my uncle, was a runner in the late 1920’s. A runner is equivalent to a cadet today. Unfortunately my father never desired membership. That would have made me a third generation legacy Ocean City fireman. I guess from a technical point of view, I am.
I saved my mother from drowning in 1981. I helped save a woman from a structure fire in 1988. I realized soon thereafter, my calling might be to help save lives, and where better to do that than in the fire service?
I have never regretted my decision to join the department. My only regret is that I did not do it sooner. Going away to college prevented it. After graduating from Towson State University in the spring of 1989, I jumped through the necessary hoops and became a member on 13 November 1990.
I was hired as a career member of the Salisbury Fire Department on 13 August 2001.
I am a strong advocate of training, and post my training file here proudly.
CLASSES
1991
Essentials of Firefighting I
Essentials of Firefighting II
Essentials of Firefighting III
Essentials of Firefighting IV
1992
Hazardous Materials Awareness
Pumps
Rescue Technician
1993
EMT-A
Emergency Vehicle Drivers In Service
Incident Command System
Essentials of Firefighting V
Confined Space Entry & Rescue
Essentials of Firefighting VI
Special Fires
Hazardous Materials Technician
1994
Fire Command I
Breathing Apparatus Specialist School (Smoke Divers)
1995
Emergency Vehicle Drivers In Service
Rescue Specialist I
Flashover Survival
Basic Forest Firefighting
Port & Marina Firefighting
Emergency Vehicle Response Safety
1996
Fitness Instructor Workshop
High Angle Rescue (Rope Rescue I)
Positive Pressure Ventilation
Trench Collapse & Rescue
Fire Office I
Strategy & Tactics
Vertical Rescue
Building Collapse
Rope Rescue II
Hazardous Materials Refresher
1997
EMT-B Bridge
Pump Operator
Farm Accident Rescue
Rope Rescue III
Instructor Training I
Instructor Training II
Fire Skills Weekend
Aerial Apparatus Operator Truck Company Operations
1998
Firefighter Safety & Survival
1999
Fire Officer II
2000
FDIC
Foam Technician
Roco Rescue I
Roco Rescue II
Trench Safety – Competent Person
Roco Rescue III
2001
FDIC
Rescue Technician Revised
Saving Our Own
2002
Truck Company Fireground Operations
FDIC
2003
FDIC
Abbottville Training Simulator
Rescue Skills Weekend
Rescue Technician - Site Operations and Vehicle and Machinery Rescue
Rescue Technician - Confined Space Rescue - Train The Trainer
Rescue Technician - Rope Rescue - Train The Trainer
2004
Aerial Apparatus Operator Truck Company Operations
FDIC
CERTIFICATIONS
All certifications are
National and Maryland
Firefighter III
Fire Officer III
Fire Inspector I
Fire Service Instructor II/III
Wildland Firefighter I
FADO – Pump
FADO – Aerial
FADO – Wildland
FADO – Mobile Water Supply
Rescue Technician – Rope Rescue
Rescue Technician – Trench Rescue
Rescue Technician – Vehicle & Machinery Rescue
Hazardous Materials Incidents – Commander Level
EDUCATION
High School: Worcester Country School – Class of 1983
College: Towson State University – Class of 1989
Degree: Bachelor of Science – Computer Science
PROMOTIONS (OCVFC)
Lieutenant Engine Co. 2
Captain Engine Co. 12
Captain Rescue Co. 7
Captain Rescue Co.’s 7 & 18
Captain South Battalion
OFFICES (OCVFC)
Various Committee Chairmen
Chaplain 1998
Secretary 1999, 2000
Treasurer 2000
President 2001 thru Present
AWARDS (OCVFC)
Training 1996, 1997, 2000, 2002
Distinguished Service 2002