Alumni Profile: Jim Steffens

James Steffens is an alumni of SPIA’s Urban Affairs and Planning program—in fact he’s proud to be among the first graduates with a VT Master’s in Urban Planning (MURP) degree.  James also earned his Bachelor of Architecture from VT.

After graduating, he began a successful 20+ year career as an urban planner, first in the public sector for four years and the balance as a consultant to local, regional and state agencies.  James also was actively involved in community service at this time; while working as a planner, he was a volunteer firefighter and officer in fire departments in both New Jersey and Florida and it provided an entree to a second career.  “In 1982 I became a career fire chief in a special fire and rescue district (Oneco-Tallevast) in Manatee County, Florida,” he said.  “After a merger with an adjoining department our name was changed to the Southern Manatee Fire and Rescue District.  I served in that capacity until 1992 when I retired and expanded my consulting operation for fire and emergency service agencies into a full time operation.”

In addition to expanding his consulting efforts, James taught at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD, focusing on the Executive Fire Officer and Management Science curricula.  Although he has curtailed his teaching with NFA in recent years, he still is a full-time consultant at The JTS Association, Inc., which provides managerial, organizational, and training assistance to emergency service agencies both in the US and internationally.

His professional interests include the development and delivery of both leadership and managerial programs for supervisors and managers, primarily in the public sector arena.  “I have been fortunate to be able to develop and deliver programs throughout the US as well as in New Zealand and Australia,” James said.

“My other interest is, when I have the time, to write articles for professional journals and on occasion there is an intersection between his extensive urban planning and fire/emergency services experience and expertise.  As an example, James’ most recent article (to be published shortly in a national trade magazine), addresses the land use and vehicular access requirements for fire stations within a community.  “Unfortunately there is very little information available to guide fire chiefs and other emergency service managers on the land use and traffic characteristics that should be considered when locating a fire station.”

The educational experience at UAP “provides a wide range of information about government, development, and in general the economic structure of our environment.  This broad background assists you in whatever direction your career takes you.”

“In my case it was eventually into the fire service,” he continued.  “A major consideration in fire service management is ensuring that new development meets the requirements for providing fire and EMS service to the occupants and visitors of the development, hence, the UAP training.”

The time James spent at UAP provided an essential foundation for the valuable work he’s completed over the course of his career.  “I have found that throughout my professional career that the training and education I obtained in the UAP program has continually been invaluable, whatever my endeavor has been,” he said.  “I’ve fortunately been able to work in the urban planning profession, been a single-family home builder, and now a emergency services manager and consultant.  I have gained in all of these as a result of my UAP background.”  You can reach James at jtsfire@earthlink.net.