Assistant Fire Chief James O. Wimberly
Fire Chief
Division Chiefs
Assistant Chief James O. Wimberly Jr. graduated from Eckerd College with a B.A. in Business Management in 2003 and St. Petersburg College with an A.S. degree in Fire Science Administration in 1999. He is a Florida State Certified Paramedic and possesses Fire Officer I, Fire Safety Inspector, and Fire Instructor III certifications. He is also a 2004 graduate of Leadership St. Pete, a 1998 graduate of the University of Maryland’s National Fire Service Staff and Command Course and a graduate of various courses with the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Chief Wimberly started his career with St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue in 1981. He was promoted through the ranks from Lieutenant (1993), Captain (1995), District Chief (1997), Division Chief (2002), to his current position as Assistant Fire Chief and Chief of Operations Division in 2006. His responsibilities include planning, organizing, and directing the activities of all fire operations, including fire suppression, hazardous materials, technical and marine rescue. Chief Wimberly serves as member of the department’s Administrative Staff and reports directly to the Fire Chief. He is an active member of the St. Petersburg College Fire Science/Emergency Administration and EMS Advisory Committees and serves on the board of directors for the Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg.
