On Veterans Day, the St. James Fire Department proudly honors the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. We offer our heartfelt gratitude for their courage, their sacrifice, and their dedication to protecting our nation.

Behind every veteran is a personal story of service—time spent far from home, challenges faced with determination, and responsibilities carried with quiet strength. We also recognize the families who stood beside them, sharing in the sacrifices and providing support through long separations and uncertain times.

As firefighters and emergency responders, we hold a deep respect for the commitment to serve others. While our missions differ, we recognize the values that connect us: duty, teamwork, compassion, and a willingness to answer the call when others need help.

To the veterans in our department, throughout the St. James community, and across our nation: thank you. Your service is an enduring part of our country's story, and your example continues to inspire those who serve in other ways.

We also pause to remember those who are no longer with us, honoring their lives and the legacy they leave behind.

This Veterans Day, we invite our neighbors to take a moment to thank a veteran, listen to their story, or reach out to someone whose service deserves recognition. A simple expression of gratitude can carry lasting meaning.

From all of us at the St. James Fire Department, thank you to our veterans and their families—for your service, your sacrifice, and the enduring example you set for us all.

Two candidates, Andy Foster and Andy Kleutghen, are seeking election to the two open positions on the St. James Fire Department Board of Directors. Brief candidate profiles appear below, with links to their complete résumés.

Andy Foster

Andy Foster is seeking a full three-year term on the St. James Fire Department Board of Directors after being appointed to fill a vacancy in August 2026. A St. James Fire Police lieutenant, he brings 22 years of law enforcement experience and approximately 17 years of leadership in volunteer safety programs. His background includes personnel coordination, policy compliance, business ownership, and community service. Andy is committed to supporting the Department’s mission, its members, and the safety of the St. James community.

Link to resume.

Andy Kleutghen

Andy Kleutghen serves as Secretary of the St. James Fire Department Board of Directors and has volunteered as a firefighter with the Department since 2024. As Director of Procurement at Acrisure, he brings experience in contract negotiations, cost management, vendor oversight, and team leadership. He holds a master’s degree in personal financial planning and previously served as an EMT, Captain, and Chief with Wake Forest University’s Emergency Response Team. His background combines business expertise with hands-on public safety service.

Link to resume.

The election will be held on Friday, November 13th from 10AM-5PM at SJFD, Fire Station 1, located at 3628 St. James Drive SE, Southport, NC 28461. All individuals 18 years or older who own property in the St. James Fire District are eligible to vote.

Absentee ballots are available by contacting Rich Agar, bodtreasurer@stjamesfire.org. Absentee ballots must be returned by 5PM on Friday, November 13th. Ballots can be returned via bodtreasurer@stjamesfire.org or placed in the locked ballot box in front of Fire Station 1.

For more information about the SJFD Board of Directors, go to the SJFD website.

On September 11, American Legion Post 543 and the St. James Fire Department joined with members of the community to observe the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Twenty-five years have passed, yet the memories of that clear September morning—and the courage, sacrifice, and unity it inspired—remain deeply rooted in the hearts of Americans. The ceremony offered an opportunity to remember the nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost in New York City, at the Pentagon, and aboard United Flight 93, while honoring the first responders, military service members, families, and countless citizens whose lives were forever changed.

American Legion District Commander George Freeman opened the ceremony. Remarks were delivered by American Legion Post 543 Commander Mike Carton, Congressman David Rouzer, and St. James Fire Department Chief Kevin Murphy.

The program also recognized the extraordinary courage displayed by firefighters, law-enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, dispatchers, and ordinary citizens who responded without hesitation. Special remembrance was given to the 343 members of the Fire Department of the City of New York who lost their lives during the collapse of the World Trade Center towers while working to rescue others. Their sacrifice, along with that of all who died or were affected that day, remains a lasting reminder of selfless service in the face of unimaginable danger.

We were honored by the attendance of Congressman David Rouzer; Commissioner Pat Sykes; District 4 Representative and Chairman of the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners, Mike Forte; Town of St. James Mayor Jean Toner and her husband, Jeff; Brunswick County Sheriff Brian Chism; and Commander of the 832nd Transportation Battalion at Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point (MOTSU), Lieutenant Colonel William G. Goetz. Also in attendance were officers and members of the St. James Fire Department, American Legion Post 543, MOTSU, veterans, local leaders, families, and neighbors.

Music accompaniment was provided by the Sea Notes, adding to the reflective tone of the observance. The colors were jointly presented by the American Legion and St. James Color Guard, led by Lt. Kirk Davis.

As the flags stood at half-staff and participants paused in remembrance, the message was clear: while the events of September 11, 2001, are now 25 years behind us, the promise to remember will never fade.

The St. James Fire Department and American Legion Post 543 extend their sincere appreciation to everyone who attended, participated in, and supported this meaningful observance. May we continue to honor the fallen through service to one another, gratitude for our freedoms, and a lasting commitment to the values that unite us.

Never Forget.

The St. James Fire Department Board is seeking qualified candidates to serve as Directors. Candidates must be 18 years of age and own property in the St. James Fire District. There are two (2) positions that must be filled.

The Board is seeking candidates with experience in finance, project management, recruitment, social media, IT and/or legal work.

If you qualify and are interested in running for one of these positions, forward a resume outlining your experience and qualifications, no later than Friday October 9, to Garren Foy bodvp@stjamesfire.org. Or you can mail or hand deliver to:

SJFD Board of Election
St. James Fire Department, Station #1
3628 St. James Drive SE
Southport, NC 28461

The election will be held on Friday, November 13 from 10 AM – 5 PM at the St. James Fire Department, Station #1.

Questions? Please email Lynn Dutney ldutney@gmail.com, Garren Foy bodvp@stjamesfire.org, or Rich Agar bodtreasurer@stjamesfire.org.

The St. James Fire Department's Board of Directors appoints two directors to fill recent vacancies.

Dr. Robert "Rob" Robinson was selected to serve the remaining term of resigning member Wendee Howell.

Dr. Robinson has more than 30 years of experience in emergency and health care services. He currently serves as Dean of Health Services at Brunswick Community College and is an active firefighter with the St. James Fire Department.

His term expires December 31, 2027.

William Andrew "Andy" Foster was selected to serve the remaining term of former Board Secretary Dan Beharry.

Mr. Foster has 22 years of law enforcement and volunteer security services experience. He manages his own private investigation services business and is a Lieutenant with the Department's Fire Police division.

His term expires December 31, 2026.

"Both individuals demonstrate the dedication, professionalism and community service commitment that contribute to the success of the St. James Fire Department as an all-volunteer provider of high-quality emergency services to the residents and visitors in our Fire District and the surrounding areas. We are fortunate to have them as part of our leadership team", said President Jim Crum.

The St. James Fire Department was pleased to honor Administrative Captain Bill "Pags" Paglione during their bi-monthly business meeting Monday night with a certificate honoring his 10 years of service with the department.

Prior to joining SJFD, Pags served as a Police Department Captain and served fifty years as a volunteer with fire departments in New Jersey.

Pags suffered a line-of-duty injury three years ago but has continued his contributions to the St. James Fire Department regularly.

At its bi-monthly business meeting on Monday, August 10, the St. James Fire Department recognized several members for their dedicated service to the department and community.

Deputy Chief Chet Swirsky presented service awards to:

Mike Dahle — 5 years of service, Fire

Shay Leon — 5 years of service, Fire

Dave Reeves — 5 years of service, Fire

Mark Saralino — 1 year of service, Fire

Katie Piotrzkowski — 1 year of service, EMS

Matt Crean — 1 year of service, Fire Police

Brenda Fairchild — 1 year of service, Fire Police

In addition, Mike Dahle, Shay Leon, Bob Pierce, Dave Reeves, and Al Snell received personalized helmet shields bearing their names as a token of appreciation for five years of service.

The St. James Fire Department extends its sincere appreciation to all members across its Fire, EMS, and Fire Police divisions for their continued dedication, professionalism, and service to the community.

The Board of Directors of the St. James Fire Department, Inc. is recommending an increase in the annual Fire Fee rates for the Department's Rural Fire District (see map below) beginning July 2026.

NC statutes authorized Fire Fees for Brunswick County in 1999, and the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners sets the rates for all County Rural Fire Districts. The proposed increase will generate $27,678 across all our RFD property categories. The average increase for residential properties will be $52.00 per year.

Importantly, this is only the second Fire Fee increase in more than 25 years. During that time, our all-volunteer Department continued to expand services while managing rising operational costs, increased call volume, apparatus expenses, insurance, fuel, and emergency response demands.

Fire Fee rates in our Rural Fire District are well below today's maximum allowable rates and the recommended increase will not reach those top limits.

This adjustment is necessary to help maintain the excellent level of fire protection, emergency medical response, equipment readiness, training, and staffing that our growing community expects and deserves.

Our Board remains committed to responsible financial stewardship while ensuring that the St. James Fire Department continues to provide reliable, professional emergency services to all our service area residents and visitors.

We appreciate your continued support of our Department and thank you for your commitment to keeping our entire community safe.

St. James Fire Department Board of Directors

The St. James Fire Department's Board of Directors elected Kevin T. Murphy of St. James as its successor to retiring Chief Scott Boyer.

Kevin is a U.S. Army veteran and a 40-year firefighter veteran currently serving both the St. James and Stoney Point, NC Fire Departments in leadership and training capacities.

"Kevin brings a wealth of firefighting knowledge, skills, teaching abilities and strong communication abilities. He is also an NC Certified Paramedic. We are truly fortunate to have a Chief of his caliber to continue to lead our department into the future," said SJFD President Jim Crum.

Kevin will assume his new duties April 1, 2026, and work with Chief Boyer as Deputy Chief during the transition period.

Bob Jensen was recognized for his contributions and dedication as Captain, EMS for the St. James Fire Department.

Bob, you will be missed!

The St. James Quilters honored Chief Scott Boyer with a Military Service Quilt, handcrafted by club members.

Chief Boyer was recognized for his two tours of service in Vietnam as well as his nearly 10 years with the St. James Fire Department.

The Chief also received a Vietnam Veteran service pin.

SJFD EMS Volunteers Proudly Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month with matching t-shirts!

By: Craig Thompson

The St. James Fire Department provides critical support to our residents and shares Mutual Aid support to our surrounding neighborhoods for fire service. This is achieved every day – 24 hours a day. Aside from equipment and trucks, volunteer manpower is the key to providing this service. SJFD volunteers are a vital element of this manpower.

As a member of the SJFD recruiting committee, Lieutenant Craig Thompson interviewed two members of the department with five simple questions to obtain insights into the reasons they joined the fire department. I hope you find these vignettes inspiring and perhaps would consider joining SJFD.

Robert Robinson – Joined SJFD June 2024

What prior experience did you have with the fire service? 30 years of service in EMS and 20 Years in fire service and a Registered Nurse in New Jersey.

What was your motivation to join the fire department? I began in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at 17 years old in New Jersey, and from the beginning, I embraced the idea of serving others and being there when people needed it the most. I later joined the Rutherford fire department there. Roll the clock forward, and 30 years later, when I moved to St. James, there was no question … I knew I wanted to continue that commitment. I attended a SJFD recruiting event in May 2024 held at the St James Marina and after meeting some of existing firefighters, I felt like I was right at home. Joining SJFD allowed me to carry forward that same sense of purpose and be part of a team that steps up when it matters most.

What are the satisfying features you get out of being with SJFD? It's the sense of brother and sister hood, purpose, and trust. Every call, every drill, every moment spent together builds something real. There's pride in knowing we're part of a team that shows up – every time. On a personal level, there's something deeply meaningful about being the one running toward danger when others are running away. I do it because it matters!

What would you say to folks to encourage them to join the team? If you're looking for more than just a title – If you want to be part of something meaningful, then joining the SJFD team, is it. We need people who care, who are willing to learn, and who want to serve their community. You will gain skills, develop bonds and friendships, and achieve a sense of fulfillment that you most likely will not find anywhere else. Whether it's as a Firefighter, EMS, or Fire Police, the relationships you build are life enhancing.

Best experience you have had with SJFD to date? One of the most memorable moments was responding to a structure fire last year with the team. Everything clicked—the teamwork, training, the trust. That kind of experience stays with you and reminds you exactly why you signed up. But honestly, the best part overall has been the people—across Fire, EMS, and Fire Police. It's a privilege to serve alongside such a dedicated and tight-knit group.

Rob Bayles – Joined SJFD November 2019

What prior experience did you have with the fire service? I had no prior experience in fire service. Previously a Professional Painter in New York City for 30 plus years. Lived in Connecticut and travelled daily to assist my clients in New York.

What was your motivation to join the fire department? My interest was stirred during a real estate visit to coastal Carolina where he met a St. James firefighter who suggested he consider joining the Fire Department and invited me to visit one of the stations. The daunting process of retirement and relocating from Connecticut to North Carolina while leaving years of established friends was a difficult transition, however quickly after arriving at the SJFD I was welcomed with open arms. It took just one stop by the fire station to look and that was motivation enough to take the next step and join. He says, like many things you just need to be invited in and then take the step across the proverbial threshold to get things going.

What are the satisfying features you get out of being with SJFD? I liked the physical nature of it, and it satisfied my desire to stay active after retirement. I believe in life there are two stages of participating: taking and giving. When we are young raising our families, we tend to be "takers" of the services provided by our community, but when you retire you look for opportunities to be a "giver" of those same services. For me the FD environment equates to battleground environment. We train together, build trust with each other, go to battle together, and have each other's back. "Joining SJFD has also helped my wife, and I expand our social circle by meeting some excellent friends". At the same time, SJFD is not a social club, we take serving St. James very seriously.

What would you say to folks to encourage them to join the team? If you ever had even a mild level of interest or curiosity in the fire department or just wanted to let your inner kid come out and ride in a big red truck, then come by one of our stations and see what we do. Since joining, I learn and grow at every training session from people who have a giving spirit and attitude to help others acquire skills and capabilities.

Best experience you have had with SJFD to date? One of the most satisfying moments for me was during a Cardiac Arrest emergency call I responded to. It was a deep and meaningful movement. I was called on to use the CPR skills I learned with SJFD. After performing CPR on the resident, I thought …. this man really needs our help! Our efforts did help keep him alive, and aside from a deep sense of pride in helping preserve a life, I was honored to help him.

Craig concludes, I hope you enjoyed meeting these firefighters and found these vignettes interesting.

By Ed Reeves

For Helen Keohane, joining the St. James Fire Department (SJFD) wasn't about previous firefighting experience—it was about stepping up for her community. As a resident of Arbor Creek, she is part of the team of Fire Police that covers that community with the St. James Fire Department.

"I didn't have any real fire service background," Helen says. "I had been a Safety Officer at a few jobs, and I've lived through some major disasters like the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake and the 1991 Oakland Hills Fire. I also had to call 911 and manage an accident scene when I was just 17."

These early experiences planted the seed of readiness and calm in emergencies, but it was her desire to give back that ultimately led her to SJFD. That sense of service has paid off.

Helen finds tremendous value in the training offered by SJFD: "It prepares you for a variety of emergencies," she explains. Just as rewarding, though, is the camaraderie. "Working with dedicated people makes the experience incredibly fulfilling."

To those considering joining, Helen offers sincere encouragement: "It's not really that big of a time commitment. You get great satisfaction from helping your community—and the people you work with are fantastic."

One moment stands out among her experiences: helping manage a house fire. "Although the house was destroyed, no one was injured, and the neighboring homes were protected from serious damage," she says. "It was really powerful to see all the agencies working so well together."

In Helen's story, you'll find no sirens or heroic headlines—just the quiet strength of someone who answered the call. And in doing so, she has become an essential part of a community that looks out for each other.

Want to join? Click on the JOIN tab and fill out an I'm Interested form. Come see how your next chapter could include service, friendship, and real impact.

By Ed Reeves

In a vibrant community like St. James, residents are met with a wealth of choices for how to spend their time—golfing, social clubs, arts, and volunteer opportunities abound. But for some, the path to deeper fulfillment leads them to the heart of service: the St. James Fire Department (SJFD). One resident, Jeff Lewis, with no prior fire service experience, shares why he chose this unexpected but deeply rewarding direction.

"Before moving here, I had volunteered in many ways—coaching, teaching English as a second language, working with our Civic Association—contribute in a way that really matters," Jeff says.

The Spark That Lit the Fire

Like many newcomers to St. James, Jeff initially dove into the community's abundant recreational and social opportunities. But after meeting a fellow resident involved in the fire department, a deeper thought began to take hold. "I realized how important the Fire Department is to this community—it's the backbone of our safety," Jeff recalls. "I wanted to do more than enjoy what St. James offers; I wanted to give back and help make it the safe, welcoming place it is."

What Makes It Worthwhile

Volunteering with SJFD is not just about emergencies—it's about camaraderie, purpose, and the chance to apply one's lifelong skills to something meaningful. "It's incredibly satisfying," Jeff says. "When someone in our community has an emergency, the SJFD is there—often faster and more effectively than responders outside our gates. Knowing you're part of a team that shows up 24/7, rain or shine, to help someone in need—that's powerful."

Beyond the mission, it's the people who make it special. "The department is full of action-oriented, service-minded individuals," Jeff says. "I've made close friends who share a similar outlook—folks who still want to be part of something bigger than themselves."

And for Jeff, there's a refreshing familiarity in the structure and challenge. "Running a department like this—recruiting and training volunteers, managing equipment, budgeting—these are things many of us did in our careers. It keeps those skills sharp and gives us a renewed sense of purpose."

Why You Should Consider Joining

Life in St. James is rich with opportunities for personal growth, fun, and relaxation. But joining the SJFD offers something unique: the chance to be part of a mission, a team, and a tradition of excellence. "Volunteering with the fire department complements everything else—sports, arts, hobbies—because it brings balance," says Jeff. "It's a meaningful way to stay engaged and connected."

More Than Just Service—It's a Community

Of course, there's plenty of fun, too. The SJFD hosts social events, team dinners, and even has a weekly pickleball group. "We laugh a lot, we celebrate together—but the most rewarding times are when we've responded to an emergency and truly made a difference," Jeff shares. "That's a feeling you carry with you."

The Call to Serve

For those new to St. James or considering how to get involved, the SJFD offers a path that's both impactful and inspiring. "Most of us came to St. James after successful careers and lives full of purpose," Jeff reflects. "Joining the Fire Department is a way to continue that legacy—not for personal gain, but to help our neighbors and make our community stronger."

Want to join? Click on the JOIN tab and fill out an I'm Interested form. Come see how your next chapter could include service, friendship, and real impact.

On Friday, April 18th at 11:24 AM, a call came in to the St. James Fire Department for a Delta level Structure Fire and Odor of Smoke at the Dosher Wellness Center off of Seafield Drive.

A quick response from the St. James Fire Department including the St. James Fire Police included three Engines and the Ladder Truck.

The fire team Incident Commander, Assistant Chief Chet Swirsky, led the team which included fire personnel in the building and on the roof.

After about an hour, it was determined that there was a malfunction in the HVAC room and that the building was safe to return to.

Kudos to all that participated.