Welcome YAAA’s New Co-Chair James Carr! 

Photo of James Carr
Saturday, July 31, 2021
What is your current role at Yale University?
 
My current role is Fire Inspector in the Fire Marshal’s Office.
 
What are your main responsibilities?
 
My main responsibility is to ensure the community of the university is safe by enforcing the Connecticut Fire Safety Code and Connecticut Fire Prevention Code.
 
What do you like most about your work?
 
What I love most about my job is the interaction with the Yale community.
 
How does your job affect your general lifestyle?
 
It doesn’t really affect my lifestyle because I tend to work and live safe. 
 
How did you begin your career?
 
I worked as designer at a packaging company in the early 90’s and a co-worker there also worked at the university in the dining hall and recommended I apply because they were hiring. So I did. It was the best career move I’ve ever made. It motivated me to start, graduate college, and be awarded a great position within the university with a great pension.
 
What steps would you recommend one take to prepare to enter this field?
 
I would recommend that anyone interested in working in the fire service volunteer for a town’s volunteer fire department to get experience and conditioning required for the job.
 
What skills, abilities, and personal attributes are essential to success in your job/this field?
 
Education/State Certifications in fire science, fire code, investigation, and physical endurance.
 
If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same path for yourself? If not, what would you change?
 
Yes, without question. Because in the fire service, you stay healthy mentally and physically. 
 
What does YAAA mean to you and how have you contributed as a member?
 
YAAA is the balance in my life. It continues to keep me focused on giving back to the community in which I ultimately come from. Prior to my new role as a Co-Chair of YAAA, I Co-Chaired the YAAA Men’s Health Initiative for two years.
 
As the first affinity group co-chair to be a service and maintenance staff member, what are you hoping to accomplish as co-chair?
 
I would like to continue to provide a platform to highlight the concerns and issues within the African American community. I would also like to get more people from service and maintenance involved with the organization/group.
 
Is there anything else you’d like to add? 
 
Everyone needs to get involved with YAAA because the organization is heavenly involved in the African American community in all sorts of ways that can benefit everyone.