Author: James P. Smith
Born: 1946
Bio: James P. Smith was appointed to the Philadelphia Fire Department on June 29, 1966. He was promoted to lieutenant in1972; to captain in1974; to battalion chief in 1981; and to deputy chief in 1987.  He retired in 2007 and continues to lecture and write on firefighting.

 
He has served as director of the Philadelphia Fire Academy. 
 Chief Smith has been associated with the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, since 1982.