By: Craig Thompson
The St. James Fire Department provides critical support to our residents and shares Mutual Aid support to our surrounding neighborhoods for fire service. This is achieved every day – 24 hours a day. Aside from equipment and trucks, volunteer manpower is the key to providing this service. SJFD volunteers are a vital element of this manpower. As a member of the SJFD recruiting committee, Lieutenant Craig Thompson interviewed two members of the department with five simple questions to obtain insights into the reasons they joined the fire department. I hope you find these vignettes inspiring and perhaps would consider joining SJFD.
Robert Robinson – Joined SJFD June 2024
What prior experience did you have with the fire service?
30 years of service in EMS and 20 Years in fire service and a Registered Nurse in New Jersey
What was your motivation to join the fire department?
I began in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at 17 years old in New Jersey, and from the beginning, I embraced the idea of serving others and being there when people needed it the most. I later joined the Rutherford fire department there. Roll the clock forward, and 30 years later, when I moved to St. James, there was no question … I knew I wanted to continue that commitment. I attended a SJFD recruiting event in May 2024 held at the St James Marina and after meeting some of existing firefighters, I felt like I was right at home. Joining SJFD allowed me to carry forward that same sense of purpose and be part of a team that steps up when it matters most.
What are the satisfying features you get out of being with SJFD?
It’s the sense of brother and sister hood, purpose, and trust. Every call, every drill, every moment spent together builds something real. There’s pride in knowing we’re part of a team that shows up – every time. On a personal level, there’s something deeply meaningful about being the one running toward danger when others are running away. I do it because it matters!
What would you say to folks to encourage them to join the team?
If you’re looking for more than just a title – If you want to be part of something meaningful, then joining the SJFD team, is it. We need people who care, who are willing to learn, and who want to serve their community. You will gain skills, develop bonds and friendships, and achieve a sense of fulfillment that you most likely will not find anywhere else. Whether it’s as a Firefighter, EMS, or Fire Police, the relationships you build are life enhancing.
Best experience you have had with SJFD to date?
One of the most memorable moments was responding to a structure fire last year with the team. Everything clicked—the teamwork, training, the trust. That kind of experience stays with you and reminds you exactly why you signed up. But honestly, the best part overall has been the people—across Fire, EMS, and Fire Police. It’s a privilege to serve alongside such a dedicated and tight-knit group.
Rob Bayles – Joined SJFD November 2019
What prior experience did you have with the fire service?
I Had no prior experience in fire service. Previously a Professional Painter in New York City for 30 plus years. Lived in Connecticut and travelled daily to assist my clients in New York.
What was your motivation to join the fire department?
My interest was stirred during a real estate visit to coastal Carolina where he met a St. James firefighter who suggested he consider joining the Fire Department and invited me to visit one of the stations.
The daunting process of retirement and relocating from Connecticut to North Carolina while leaving years of established friends was a difficult transition, however quickly after arriving at the SJFD I was welcomed with open arms. It took just one stop by the fire station to look and that was motivation enough to take the next step and join. He says, like many things you just need to be invited in and then take the step across the proverbial threshold to get things going.
What are the satisfying features you get out of being with SJFD?
I liked the physical nature of it, and it satisfied my desire to stay active after retirement. I believe in life there are two stages of participating: taking and giving. When we are young raising our families, we tend to be “takers” of the services provided by our community, but when you retire you look for opportunities to be a “giver” of those same services.
For me the FD environment equates to battleground environment. He said, we train together, build trust with each other, go to battle together, and have each other’s back. “Joining SJFD has also helped my wife, and I expand our social circle by meeting some excellent friends”. At the same time, SJFD is not a social club, we take serving St. James very seriously.
What would you say to folks to encourage them to join the team?
If you ever had even a mild level of interest or curiosity in the fire department or just wanted to let your inner kid come out and ride in a big red truck, then come by one of our stations and see what we do. Since joining, I learn and grow at every training session from people who have a giving spirit and attitude to help others acquire skills and capabilities.
Best experience you have had with SJFD to date?
One of the most satisfying moments for me was during a Cardiac Arrest emergency call I responded to. It was a deep and meaningful movement. I was called on to use the CPR skills I learned with SJFD. After performing CPR on the resident, I thought …. this man really needs our help! Our efforts did help keep him alive, and aside from a deep sense of pride in helping preserve a life, I was honored to help him.
Craig concludes, I hope you enjoyed meeting these firefighters and found these vignettes interesting.