Written by LFD
It was our honor to celebrate 27 years of service to the Lakeland Fire Department as Battalion Chief James “Jim” Thompson officially retired Wednesday (Jan. 17). Thompson joined the Lakeland Fire Department in January 1997 as a firefighter, and throughout his long-standing career with the department, he has served in numerous roles, each of which contributed to his wealth of experience and knowledge.
Battalion Chief Thompson started his career in the fire service as a volunteer firefighter in York County, Virginia, in 1986. In 1988, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. After completing his active duty and returning home from Desert Storm, Battalion Chief Thompson joined Polk County Fire Rescue and served there from 1993 to 1997. Later, he joined the Lakeland Fire Department.
During most of his firefighting career, Battalion Chief Thompson simultaneously served in the United States Air Force Reserves. He retired from the Reserves in December 2016 after 28 years of military service. During this, he rose to the rank of Senior Master Sergeant/Deputy Fire Chief at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. Chief Thompson is very passionate about his duty to serve and was highly involved as a USAF reservist.
During his tenure with the Lakeland Fire Department, Battalion Chief Thompson was promoted several times after demonstrating exceptional leadership skills and a commitment to public safety. In May 2017, he advanced to his position as Battalion Chief, an esteemed rank within the department.
Battalion Chief Thompson has been actively involved with both the Urban Search and Rescue and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting specialty teams within the department and is certified as an instructor in both specialties. Thompson holds certifications as a Fire Officer I, II, and III and an Emergency Medical Technician.
Battalion Chief Thompson is a Master Hazmat Instructor for the International Association of Fire Fighters, representing Local 4173 and instructing throughout the country since 2005. Additionally, Thompson has an Associate in Fire Science from the Community College of the Air Force.
Battalion Chief Thompson is a current member of the Tampa Egypt Shriners, a fraternal organization dedicated to philanthropy, camaraderie, and promoting social values. He has been an integral part of the Shriners community since 2012 and was the Past Commander of the Legion of Honor. He is an active member of his community and regularly spends his time and resources on various causes. His dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of others has earned him the respect and admiration of those who know him.
We wish Battalion Chief Thompson well in his new season of life and well-deserved retirement. We are grateful for his unwavering commitment to our organization and wish him the best in all his future endeavors.