James Thompson

Chief Paramedic James Thompson serves as the Chief of Emergency Medical Services for the St. Louis Fire Department Bureau of Emergency Medical Services in St. Louis, Missouri.

With over three decades of dedicated service in the fire and emergency medical services fields, Chief Thompson has been an instrumental leader in modernizing pre-hospital clinical care and optimizing response system efficiency throughout the region.

Chief Thompson began his public safety career as a Firefighter EMT for the Sherman Illinois Fire Protection District. Transitioning to the St. Louis Fire Department, he joined the Bureau of EMS as a Paramedic, steadily advancing through the operational and administrative ranks due to his leadership and clinical expertise. In recognition of his exceptional capabilities and dedication, Fire Chief Dennis M. Jenkerson officially promoted him to the rank of Chief Paramedic.

Throughout his distinguished tenure, Chief Thompson has heavily prioritized the integration of advanced medical technologies and data-driven pre-hospital interventions to improve patient outcomes. Deeply committed to the future of the profession, he serves actively as an EMT Instructor. On a national level, he shares his extensive expertise with emergency medical professionals across the country as a faculty instructor for Pediatric Emergency Standards.

Chief Thompson resides in the St. Louis area with his wife of 30 years. Together, they have three adult children and one grandchild.