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 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

Truck Company Fireground Operations (X2)

Fire Officer I

Rescue Technician - Trench Rescue

Rescue Technician - Rope Rescue

2004

Aerial Apparatus Operator Truck Company Operations

FDIC

FDIC East

Firehouse Expo
Firefighter Survival & Rescue

Fire Officer I

Fire Officer II

Rescue Technician - Site Operations and Vehicle and Machinery Rescue

2005

Rescue Technician - Site Operations and Vehicle and Machinery Rescue

Rescue Technician - Swift Water Rescue

FDIC

Pump Operator

Rescue Technician - Swift Water Rescue Advanced

Firehouse Expo

FDIC East

Firefighter II

CERTIFICATIONS
All certifications are National and Maryland

Firefighter I, II, III

Fire Officer I, II, III

Fire Inspector I, II

Fire Service Instructor I, II/III

Wildland Firefighter I

Airport Rescue Fire Fighter

FADO – Pump

FADO – Aerial

FADO – Wildland

FADO – Mobile Water Supply

Rescue Technician – Rope Rescue

Rescue Technician – Trench Rescue

Rescue Technician – Vehicle & Machinery Rescue
Rescue Technician - Swift Water Rescue

Rescue Technician - Confined Space Rescue

Hazardous Materials Incidents – Commander Level

Certified Fire Protection Specialist

EDUCATION

High School:    Worcester Country School – Class of 1983

College:           Towson State University – Class of 1989

Degree:            Bachelor of Science – Computer Science

PROMOTIONS

Lieutenant Engine Co. 2

Captain Engine Co. 12

Captain Rescue Co. 7

Captain Rescue Co.’s 7 & 18

Captain South Battalion

OFFICES

Various Committee Chairmen

Chaplain 1998

Secretary 1999, 2000

Treasurer 2000, 2005

President 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006

AWARDS

OCVFC Training 1996, 1997, 2000, 2002

OCVFC Distinguished Service 2002

SFD Distinguished Service 2004