South Media Fire Co.: Jim Ortoleva

Media Patch wants you to get to know your first responders. They do dangerous work and Patch would like to recognize them. Here is a first responder who has been a firefighter for more than half of his life. Now he is Fire Marshal and enjoys going the extra mile for the residents of South Media Fire Company.

Please send us first responders who you would like to see profiled.

Name: Jim Ortoleva

Age: 74

Hometown: Wallingford

Rank/Title: Fire Marshal

How long have you been with the South Media Fire Co.?

Since I was 18 years old I've been a firefighter in six different departments but I've been here since 1973.

What do you like about your job?

I like the service we give to people. It's rewarding to be there for people and go beyond being a fire marshal. Once we had a minor car fire and everyone was fine but the car was ruined. But the girl in the car still had to get to school and we drove her and I wrote an excuse note for her and her mom, too. I had never done that before.

What do you dislike about your job?

Station politics

What inspired you to become a firefighter?

I joke that I was at my first fire before I was born. My parents were trapped in a building when my mother was pregnant. Everyone was fine in the end and I joke that was my first fire. But when I was 12 years old there was a brush fire in the middle of the day and I was watching and asked if they needed a hand. The chief handed me a line and I helped and thought it was cool. After that I'd ride my bike over and hang out at the station, and when I was 18 I became a member. Wherever I moved (throughout life) I would join the fire company.

What do you like about the greater Media area?

I fell in love with it. I'm from a small town in upstate New York and moved here in 1973. It's very homey and the people are friendly.

What do you want the general public to know about the South Media Fire Co.?

Fire safety, make sure to eliminate hazards and have proper wiring and safety concerns. We get a number of calls for unattended cooking, so cook safely.