James Poole
Assistant Chief James D. Poole began his career with the Raleigh Fire Department on September 18, 1978 and he is presently the longest serving member of the department. He was one of the first Raleigh Firefighters to receive his EMT certification and he was a founding member of the department’s hazardous materials and urban search and rescue programs. A certified instructor and probationary level III fire inspector are just two of the many certifications he holds. As he rose through the chief ranks, he continued to maintain all of the certifications he has earned throughout out his extensive career.
Presently, Chief Poole is the department’s Logistics Chief. Previously he served as the Professional Development Chief and the Operations Chief. Chief Poole holds and Associate of Applied Science Degree in Fire Science from Durham Community College. He received the Managing the Fire Service certificate from the UNC School of Government, Training Institute of the International City Management. Through the years he has attended numerous classes at the National Fire Academy and served on the Durham Technical Community College Fire Protection Advisory Board.
Chief Poole is the current President of the West Raleigh Exchange Club where he has devoted 33 years of citizenship-service to his community, as a Little League baseball coach. His passion is mentoring young men, through their shared love of baseball, to live up to their full potential. Several of his former players have gone on to compete at the collegiate and professional levels. As a very talented and successful coach he’s led his teams to competitions in numerous states along the eastern part of the United Sates as well as Texas, California and Minnesota. His teams have accumulated 12 state championships, 5 regionals and two appearances in the Cal-Ripen World series and winning one Title.
Chief Poole has been married to his very supportive wife Donna, for 45 years and they have been blessed with three children, one of whom is following in his footsteps. In his spare time he enjoys DIY projects around the house and most of all spending time with his six grandchildren. He also enjoys traveling and has traveled to 41 continental united states including Canada, Mexico and Hawaii.
