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Fire Department
513-867-4279
jhowell@fairfield-city.org

Jim is the shift supervisor of the Unit 2 crew for Fairfield’s three fire stations. He schedules personnel and makes station and apparatus assignments. He responds to fire and EMS emergencies when appropriate, and, in the absence of the Fire Chief, acts as the incident commander at the scene. He is also the facilities manager for the City’s three fire stations and training facility and oversees the maintenance, repair, testing and upgrading of the Fire Departments fleet of 19 vehicles.

Background:

Jim’s fire career with the City of Fairfield began in 1984 as a volunteer. He became a part time firefighter/EMT a few years later and was promoted to a part-time Lieutenant and then part-time Captain. In 1993, he was hired in as a full-time Captain.

Prior to his full-time position with the Fire Department, he was owner/operator of Howell Heating and Air Conditioning, which he ran with his father from 1972 through 2003. He says, “My experiences in running the business, as well as the mechanical and building construction knowledge I gain through those years, have proved to be very valuable to me on many occasions in my years with fire service.”

Jim serves on Greater Cincinnati Hazardous Materials Team and has been honored for his volunteer efforts and work with the Butler County MRDD. He’s helped organize the annual Butler County MRDD “Walk, Shop and Roll” event since 2002; coordinates Fire Department help with the Butler County Special Olympic Teams; helps plan the annual Police and Fire vs. Special Olympic basketball game that raises money for Butler County Special Olympics; and helps the Fairfield Exchange club in organizing their annual Chilifest.  As part of Chilifest, he oversees the student Fire Safety Poster contest.

His efforts have earned the following honors:

• Butler County MRDD Community Recognition recipient (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
• Butler County MRDD Volunteer of the year award (2006) presented to Fairfield Fire Department
• Community service award presented by the Fairfield Exchange Club (2005)
• City of Fairfield “Star” employee award

Personal interests/family:

Jim and his wife, Shirley (Moore) Howell, have one daughter, Rebecca, who is a graduate of Miami University and currently resides in Chicago Illinois.

When not volunteering or spending time with family and friends, Jim enjoys fly fishing local waterways and surf fishing the coast lines of Alabama and the Carolinas.