PITTSBURGH -- A well-known veteran firefighter has been named assistant chief of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire.
Jim Crawford said he looks forward to the challenge, and is already getting started.
In the new position, he heads the training, communications and planning divisions.
Crawford, who has more than 25 years' experience in the fire service, wants to enhance the bureau's training academy. "It's important firefighters stay abreast of the latest technology."
The department's 600 firefighters also are trained as first responders, and assist with medical emergencies until an ambulance arrives. He said plans call for more personnel to become EMTs.
Crawford said the bureau has a good communications center, and interoperability has not been a problem.
He is a fire suppression instructor with the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy, and is well known for his expertise in firefighter rescue and rapid intervention.
In addition to graduating from the Pittsburgh Fire Academy, he also is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Fire Academy.
Crawford is a long-time contributor to Firehouse.com and Firehouse magazine.
