As part of Black History Month, the Smithville City Council honored its first African American fire chief by proclaiming Feb. 11, 2019, as Fire Chief James Elam Jr. Day.
Elam was born in Schulenburg and raised in Smithville. He said he always dreamed of being a firefighter, mainly to give back to his community.
He joined the Smithville fire department on Nov. 17, 1999, and rose through the ranks to be elected the department’s chief. He’s served as a firefighter, lieutenant, captain, assistant chief and chief.
According to the city’s proclamation, Elam became the Smithville fire department’s first black chief, and the first black fire chief in Bastrop County, in 2003. He served as chief from 2003 to 2006. He then served in different capacities in the department before being elected chief again in 2011.
In 2000, soon after joining the fire department, he was awarded a Purple Heart for saving a man’s life in a burning home that year. He helped lead the fire department through three major fires — 2009 Wilderness Ridge Fire, 2011 Bastrop County Complex Fire and 2015 Hidden Pines Fire.
Elam said Bastrop County’s three biggest fires in recent history left a mark in him. He said he fought everyday alongside his firefighters, and firefighters from departments across the state and nation, to extinguish the blazes, always praying for no injuries and no loss of life.
“I’ve never fought in Afghanistan or been in a war, but I bet you that’s pretty close,” he said.
The Bastrop County Complex Fire, which burned 34,000 acres, destroyed 1,600 homes and left two people dead, was the most destructive in the state’s history. The Hidden Pines Fire burned 4,600 acres north of Smithville and destroyed 64 homes. The Wilderness Ridge Fire burned 1,500 acres and destroyed 26 homes and 20 businesses.
Elam said his faith and his fellow firefighters kept him strong during those disasters.
“James Elam Jr. has demonstrated throughout his life and career a sense of deep responsibility, commitment and kindness whether it be for his family, his community or the fire service,” the proclamation states.
Elam, who has maintained a full-time job while volunteering at the fire department, did not run for re-election for chief this year. His term ended in September.
For now, Elam, who has dedicated 20 years of service to the fire department, remains an active firefighter department but is enjoying more time with his family.