Jim Anderson graduated high school in 1970, attended college for two years, and then entered the Marine Corp.  He continued his education in the Marines and got out in 1977.  Jim entered the fire service in Benton in 1977, and was the first paid firefighter in the department.  He was hired by LSU to work in the regional program in 1986.  Mr. Anderson has helped develop a few programs for FETI, and has taught every subject in the fire service including vehicle rescue, high angle rescue, confined space rescue, hazmat, officer training in all aspects, and all the basic subjects of firefighting.

Jim’s education has been eclectic, changing majors at least four times over the years of his college career.  First he studied general studies and botany, then history, then electrical engineering, then fire science.  Mr. Anderson has accumulated over 200 hours of college credit.  Although he never graduated, Jim was within 15 hours of completing at least two of the majors.

Jim is married to Cynthia Anderson and lives in the Port Allen area where he continues to work with the local fire department.