James PetruzzI

James Petruzzi started in the fire service in 1972 with West Mifflin #3 (1972-1973) as a junior firefighter prior to the child labor law and served four years with the U.S. Air Force (1973-1977) fire department, where he had the opportunity to attend the Air Force rescue school. He attended the Community College of Allegheny County (1977-1979) and graduated with an associate's degree in emergency medicine (paramedic) and worked with the City of Pittsburgh paramedic/rescue service for 10 years, reaching the rank of crew chief (1979-1989).

James started with the City of Pittsburgh Fire Bureau in 1989, working at 8 Engine and Truck as a firefighter until being promoted to lieutenant in 1999, when he was stationed at 14-T. In 2001, he was promoted to captain, spent eight months at the Pittsburgh training academy, and then transferred back to 8 Engine and Truck as a captain, where he currently works as a truck officer. He has been a Pennsylvania State Fire Academy instructor since 1991, and he teaches RIT combat drills (HOT) at the Fire Department Instructors Conference.