Robert “RJ” James is a 22-year veteran of the fire service. He started as a volunteer firefighter with the Cromwell, CT, Volunteer Fire Department. After that, James joined the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department in Montgomery County, MD. He currently is a career lieutenant in Special Operations Command assigned to the 3rd Battalion with the Frederick County, MD, Fire Department. James served as a lead instructor for many fire department trainings and works as an instructor, including with Capitol Fire Training. He has received numerous citations and awards. James has written articles for numerous magazines and has taught on national fire service platforms.