Meet Tampa Fire Rescue’s James Miltmer

Readers, here's James Miltmer. Patch caught up with the first-responder recently to learn more about what he likes to do and how he found himself fighting blazes.

Works at: Station 21, 18902 Green Pine Boulevard
Joined: 13 months ago
Has been a firefighter for: 16 years
Personal: Married; five years
Hometown: Thonotosassa

Patch: What made you want to become a firefighter?

Miltmer: My father worked as a Tampa firefighter for 30 years, and it looked like a great career for me (Miltmer is a 5th generation firefighter).

Patch: Is there a single most memorable moment that you have experienced on the job?

Miltmer: The fire in Ybor City. I was at home, getting ready to go on vacation to Boca Grande. Then the call came in and I spent the day fighting fire. 

Patch: What do you like to do in your leisure time?

Miltmer: I'm a hay farmer in Thonotosassa.

Patch: What do you enjoy about living and working about New Tampa?

Miltmer: Everything is nice and new here, and there really is some nice Florida wildlife in New Tampa.

Patch: Besides farming hay, what else do you enjoy doing on your time off?

Miltmer: Hunting wild hog, I have passion for it.