Profile on Jim Jarland

He joined the Williston Fire Department as a volunteer in 1979. In 1990 he trained to be an EMT. He was hired full time as the Fire Chief in 1999. Throughout the years he has done continuing education.

He joined the coalition in 1995 when it was still called the Traffic Safety Council. The coordinator approached Jim, because of his involvement in the Emergency Medical Services in the area, to be a member of the Council. He has been chairman of the coalition for the past 2 years.

Jim likes being involved on the positive side of traffic safety. He likes making presentations to the school kids and likes promoting safety in the area. He would like to see the Coalition keep a high visibility in the area. He feels the challenge is to keep the interest of its members and to keep high participation in the many projects.

The perks that come with the job of being coalition chair are the appreciation of the teachers for giving presentations to children. The comments that they make expressing satisfaction with a program are appreciated. Many challenges come up in his work and on the coalition but he doesn’t like arguing with people that don’t wear their seat belts. Another challenge he sees is the everyday safety of people whether it is bike helmets or safety belts.