Those who keep us safe: Captain James Jones

Captain James Jones was born and raised in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and has been a lifelong resident of the community. In 1990, Jones started working for the Vicksburg Fire Department, where he has since dedicated his life to serving his community.

Over the past three decades, Jones has been dedicated to being a public servant, often putting his own life on the line to keep the community safe.

Joining the Vicksburg Fire Department

Before joining the Vicksburg Fire Department, Jones worked with a survey crew but found the job security lacking.

“I got laid off a lot,” said Jones. “I decided I needed me a more permanent job. A job with some benefits.”

Jones had been interested in firefighting since childhood and found the duties he saw firefighters engaged in appealing.

“It looked like a good job. Even when I was small, I’d see them sitting around the fire station, washing their vehicles and things like that,” said Jones. “It always interested me.”

After seeing an ad for the Vicksburg Fire Department, Jones decided to apply. Unfortunately, he had to wait a year before being able to make his career move.

“The first time, I didn’t make the run. I didn’t make it on the first go-around,” said Jones. “The following year I took it, and I made it.”

A defining moment

One incident that solidified Jones’ commitment to community service happened just a few years into his career. On the last day of school, a school bus was involved in a serious crash. “It was the last day of school at Warren Central High School,” began Jones. “There was an accident on Highway 27 where a dump truck ran into the bus.”

Jones, stationed at Station 6, responded to the emergency call. The report stated that the bus was on fire and children were trapped inside. To a first responder, that initial report was horrifying. Fortunately, the initial report was not entirely accurate.

“It was a dump truck,” Jones clarified. “But it was one with a long bed.”

Jones arrived on the scene to find the dump truck had caused significant damage to the bus, resulting in injuries to several children.

“All the ambulances came,” began Jones. “We had other patients so we had to use a school bus to take the other children to the hospital.”

Jones provided first aid and witnessed firsthand the importance of serving the community in times of crisis. This event was life-changing for Jones, he knew that he had found his true calling and his position in the department was solidified.

“That was one of those ‘Ah-Ha!’ moments in my career,” said Jones.

Inspiration and advice

According to Jones, those looking to join the department must be prepared to study.

“They have to like to study,” said Jones, speaking on those interested in joining. “You are going to be in the books for about a year. You are going to be in the books, going to classes and stuff like that.”

To become a Vicksburg Fire Department firefighter you also have to become Emergency Medical Services certified.

“It’s like you are back in school all over again,” said Jones. “It is a never-ending thing. As of now, I still have to go to a bunch of classes.”

Jones stated that one of the biggest keys to success is to treat everyone fairly, a trait he found in Chief Robert Hall and he tries to emulate.

“He was a very good person. He was a very trustworthy and fair person. I’ve always tried to be that way on the job, also,” Jones said of Hall. “Always try to do the right thing.”

“Treat all your co-workers fair, because in the end, you never know who may be your chief,” Jones laughed. “You never know who the administration may pick.”