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Faces of Rappahannock:
James (J.B.) Carter
Age: 43
Birthplace: Amissville
Currently lives in: Amissville - "I built a home one mile from where I was born."
Family: Mom and Dad and two older sisters. He has also been married for 18 years and has two children ages 14 and 17.
First waking thought: "What do I have to do today."
What brings a smile to your face: "My kids, remembering what I used to do."
Favorite movies: "Groundhog Day" and "Blazing Saddles"
Favorite television shows: My name is Earl and watching the History and Discovery channels.
Favorite music: Country and contemporary Christian
Last book read: "Tribulation Force"
Favorite foods: Chinese and good old southern cooking
Hobbies: NASCAR, photography, collecting mini die cast models.
Current occupation: Firefighter / paramedic for 22 years
What influenced you to become a firefighter and paramedic: "I was raised across the street from the old Amissville fire station. My dad had been a member since 1965 and I would see the fire units leaving and returning from calls."
Favorite part of the job: "Satisfaction of a job well done, getting a thank you."
Worst part of the job: "When I have to tell a family that a loved one has died."
James Carter, or J.B., as many know him is a family man as well as a person who enjoys giving. A career firefighter paramedic, he does this as a volunteer as well. He is Chief of the Amissville Volunteer Fire Department.
He has been a member of Amissville VFD since 1979 and over the years has received service awards such as EMS Provider of the Year.
Not only does he serve as the volunteer chief where he is responsible for operations and the writing of policies and procedures, he also serves on three different Rappahannock committees: County Training Committee, Communications Committee, and the Chiefs' Committee.
Carter loves what he does, and if you ask him what his favorite part of being a volunteer is, he will tell you, "It's being able to help people, the people I know, family and friends."
He has some advice for those who are interested in getting into the volunteer fire department lifestyle. "Be patient, rewards are few but sweet and don't stop learning. The minute you stop learning it's time to get out of it."
The world of fire and emergency medical services takes a special type of person, and to volunteer on the front lines takes a little bit more.
At the end of the interview Carter was asked who his hero is. He proudly answered, "My Dad. He helps everyone and never asks for anything. He is a giver."
In talking with J.B. Carter, one can see these same qualities; after all, being a volunteer is giving, and that's what he does. He gives back to the community in which he was raised.
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