After 34 years and no sick leave, James “JJ” Jackson wrapped up his last shift at Fire Station 203 yesterday (Tuesday).
Short of a little time in Del Ray and Old Town, Jackson said he’s spent every year of his career at the firehouse in Alexandria’s Beverly Hills neighborhood.
“I’m excited,” Jackson said. “I’m ready. I’m definitely going to miss my colleagues.”
34 years of service. All 34 being spent in the Beverly Hills Firehouse on Cameron Mills Road. ZERO hours of sick leave used. JJ enjoy your retirement, congratulations and thank you. @AlexandriaVAFD @SmedleyCorey https://t.co/7uG159IiY3
— IAFF Local 2141 (@IAFFLocal2141) November 26, 2019
Jackson said he quickly fell in love with the station and its coverage area. (The station is now in the process of being demolished and replaced with a new firehouse.)
“I like it up here,” Jackson said. “It’s a neighborhood feel, a little less city. That’s what I liked about it. The neighbors always take care of us and bring us stuff at Christmas.”
Jackson started on Oct. 1, 1984, and said he’s never taken a day of sick leave, but wasn’t sure if that was a record in the department.
Acting Fire Chief @SmedleyCorey wishes Firefighter JJ Jackson well after 34 years of service with AFD. Thanks for your service and your dedication to this profession. Enjoy retirement! pic.twitter.com/GSQsjrdlcX
— Alexandria Fire-EMS (@AlexandriaVAFD) November 26, 2019
Over those years, Jackson said the biggest changes were the incorporation of computers into firefighting and other new technologies.
“There’s a lot more EMS involvement too,” Jackson said. “The firefighting job is basically the same though.”
Jackson said his main plans once he retires are to travel and spoil his grandchildren.
Photo via Alexandria Fire-EMS/Twitter
Recent Stories
Updated at 6 p.m. Old Town residents and business owners are up in arms for not being officially notified of a route change for the George Washington Birthday Parade on…
As rainfall travels down the hills of the Parkfairfax neighborhood, the momentum sweeps it past the slim gutters meant to catch the water, propelling it further downhill to devastating effect….
Cloud is a 10-year-old black and brown medium-haired cat searching for her forever home. Currently up for adoption at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, she has a decade of…
A 23-year-old Lorton man was charged with driving while intoxicated after allegedly crashing into four cars in Old Town. The crash occurred near the intersection of S. Patrick Street and…
Hi, my name is Moneim Z., and I am a blind male with chronic kidney disease, who needs a living kidney donor for a transplant. My blood type is B+, and I can accept a kidney from individuals who have blood types B and O.
To read my story, please see the attached letter.
To contact me directly, please email me at [email protected] or call at 571-428-5065. My living donor coordinator at INOVA Hospital, Amileen Cruz can be reached at (703) 776-8370 , or via email at [email protected]
Thank you!
If you’re looking for a mental health professional in Virginia, Washington D.C., or Maryland, we can help.
We provide a confidential and convenient way to get the help you need from the comfort of your own home.
We offer a free 15-minute consultation to see if our services fit your needs.
The services we offer are:
