In the public eye: Public Safety career meaningful for Windham firefighter/Advanced EMT

Editor’s Note: This is another in an ongoing series of Windham and Raymond town employee profiles.

By Ed Pierce

When you work in public safety there’s a lot to be said for experience and despite only being on the job for a short time in Windham, James Farrenkopf has already made a favorable impression with his professionalism and expertise.

James Farrenkopf has worked for the past seven months as a
firefighter/Advanced Medical Technician for Windham
Fire/Rescue. His duties include responding and treating any
and all medical emergencies and performing all firefighting
activities that may occur during his shift.
SUBMITTED PHOTO   

Farrenkopf joined Windham Fire/Rescue seven months ago as a firefighter and advanced Emergency Medical Technician and is responsible for responding and treating all medical emergencies that occur during his shifts and responding and performing all firefighting activities while on duty. That includes structure fires, motor vehicle crashes, fire alarm activations, gas alarms/leaks, wires down and any extra duties that may be required or as directed by Windham Fire/Rescue leaders or shift supervisors.

He says that the best thing about his job is simple.

“Beyond helping the public, it is the lifelong relationships you build with your co-workers, and the memories good and bad that you will forever share with them,” he said. “The most challenging aspect of what I do is seeing people on what often times is the worst day of their lives.”

According to Farrenkopf, the biggest misconception people may have about his work is that it is like what you see on television or in the movies, such as Chicago Fire or 911.

“Not every day is a good day, and it is not anything like what you see on TV or in the movies,” he said.

Originally from Hyannis, Massachusetts on Cape Cod, Farrenkopf attended Saint Joseph's College of Maine in Standish and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology with a concentration in Criminal Justice and a minor in History.

His career in Public Safety began in May of 2001 as a Reserve Police Officer for the Town of Kennebunk.

“I became a fulltime police officer in February 2002 and transferred from the Kennebunk Police Department to the Westbrook Police Department in July 2004,” Farrenkopf said. “While working as a police officer I served as a Field Training Officer, School Resource Officer, Police Academy Instructor, Department Instructor, Detective and Patrol Sergeant. I retired in April of 2022 after 20 plus years of service.”

While working fulltime as a police officer, he obtained his EMT-Basic license and began working per diem for the Kennebunk Fire Department in July 2004. He has since obtained my Advanced EMT license and Firefighter Certifications.

“I have worked for the Kennebunk, Waterboro and Alfred Fire Departments prior to working for the Windham Fire Department,” Farrenkopf said. “I have held the positions of call company Lieutenant, Field Training Officer, Fire and EMS Instructor and Training Captain. I have spent 22 years in the Fire and Emergency Medical Service, and I am currently also a York County Fire and Emergency Medical Service instructor.”

He says he applied for the firefighter/Advanced EMT position to the Windham Fire Department, because he was looking for a larger and busier department than where he had been working.

“I have always been fond of the Windham area from my time in college,” Farrenkopf said. “The Windham Fire Department has made positive changes over the last several years and a great group of men and women work there. I want to be a part of that continued positive and progressive change.”

Farrenkopf’s family enjoys the work schedule and work/family balance that being a firefighter/EMT affords and he says they also enjoy the rewarding aspects of my job. Working for the Windham Fire Department has allowed him to continue his Public Safety career.

“I love that my husband works for the Windham Fire Department, because it allows him to live out his passion for helping others,” said Farrenkopf’s wife April. “The level of professionalism, training, and genuine care that this department pours into Windham is extraordinary It takes a village to keep a town safe, and I am incredibly honored that my husband is a part of it."

He says that his most memorable moment so far while working for Windham Fire/Rescue was when he assisted another firefighter in saving a dog from a residential house fire.

“I would say the most important thing I have learned in Public Safety, not just at Windham but overall, is don't take anything for granted and try and enjoy each day you can, because you don't know what that day may bring” Farrenkopf said. <