About Me.
Proactive Fire Captain with over a decade of experience delivering quality care in high-pressure situations. Expertise in Fire Ground Pumping and Hazardous Materials response. Committed to upholding honor and selflessness while performing tasks with competence to improve patient and incident outcomes.
Work Experience
2008-2009
Eller Coorporation
Postion: Mechanic
Academic Area:
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Communication
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Artistic Process and creation.
Service and repair a fleet of approximately 100 machines varying from dump trucks to all forms of earthmovers.
This was the incipient stage of my career straight out of high school, but thanks to the way I was raised, I had more tribal knowledge than most ASC-certified diesel technicians. Eller Co. recognized this and quickly put me to work. This short time with the Eller solidified my diagnostic habits and taught me to solicit the wisdom of my peers and cooperate toward a common goal.
Knowledge learned:
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How to communicate and learn from peers.
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How to deploy manuals and other resources to solve machine issues.
2008-2010
Spokane County Fire District 10
Postions:
Firefighter/EMT &
Summer Crew Laborer
Apparatus SME
Academic Area:
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Fire Service Administration.
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Communication.
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Artistic Process and creation.
Respond and mitigate fire and life-threatening emergencies in and around Spokane County Fire District 10.
For one year as a volunteer, then resident worked part-time building fire trucks and logistics for two years.
There were two sides to my career development. The fire-side is documented and quantified with IFSAC certs and EMT certifications. The area of unique opportunity was the Fire truck builds. This was my time to trust my intuition with designs. The Plumbing was designed with Stainless steel, knowing the harmful effects of electrolysis. With the mechanic background, it was imperative that service work could occur easily. My designs started with that in mind, contributing to their longevity over the last 14 years.
I learned the power of relationships as I capitalized on business accounts and relationships to achieve my goal.
Knowledge Learned:
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How to develop Incident action plans on most emergency scenes.
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How to write up fire and EMS documentation.
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How to develop Fire truck designs.
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How to Learn through the iterative fabrication process.
2011-Present
Kennewick Fire Department
Positions:
Firefighter/EMT
Captain/Paramedic
Instructor: EMS and Fire
HAZMAT Team lead
JATC 2nd year Manager
Hose and Appliance Manager
Apparatus Committee
Stretegic Planning Committee
Apparatus & Pumping SME
Academic Area:
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Fire Service Administration.
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Communication.
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Artistic Process and creation.
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Social Science.
I was hired as a Firefighter EMT. I completed Journeyman, Paramedic, and Officer development. Presently, I am a Captain Paramedic, Hazmat Team leader, and Pumps/Apparatus Subject matter expert.
Kennewick was my future. It had all the components of a purposeful career that reflected my talents. There is no way to adequately document all the lessons learned, experiences shared, and moments together.
I share the unique contribution I played with KFD as they reflect the expertise of my past placed in the context of a new career.
I took on the JATC 2nd year program to rewrite and improve every component. My diesel experience, combined with the extraordinary apparatus program I was trained in with SCFD 10, allowed me to bring industry best practices to a department unwilling to adjust to the future. The path was paved with great intentions, and many lessons on personalities were in store for me. I stuck with my goal and slowly earned the respect of all the firefighters over the next five years. This allowed me to promote open conversation without the impediment of ego-centric confirmation bias. I learned the power of people. Information can be had in the blink of an eye, but a person can champion an ideal and raise any bar to perfection. The citizens of Kennewick now enjoy a breed of engineers who are safe drivers, competent pumpers, and strong mentors. My contribution was merely as an elixir. I re-wrote and carefully managed every new firefighter. My program empowered their free thinking and gave them a voice in a very resistant career path.
These lessons prepared me for the next step of Fire Captain. I took the test and qualified to act in that position. The next step was to earn my respect as a leader. There was no book I would not read and digest. The annotated bibliography will describe the books that influenced my way of thinking. I know it was no small task to get the promotion, but if I did so without the mutual respect of my crew, my effort would be wasted and full of turmoil. Taking my time to learn from all my peers gave me advice and buy-in on a department level. When I took 'bars,' I was welcomed by all. I would not be in school today if I needed more time to develop my primary skillset as a Captain. Having the buy-in that is so valuable, I was encouraged by my peers to take on the next level of Chief. This is where I am working presently.
Knowledge Learned:
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How to lead positive and high-functioning teams.
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How to manage public relations in all environments. From store runs to high-stress emergencies.
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How to facilitate productive meetings and workshops.
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How to deploy industry best practices to accomplish the mission.
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How to develop operational manuals and training.
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How to empower team members to take on more team ownership.
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How to manage aging and end-of-life conversations.
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How to promote and engage public program support.
2021 to Present
Columbia Basin College
Position:
Adjunct Instructor, Hydraulics.
Academic Area:
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Fire Service Administration.
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Communication.
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Artistic Process and creation.
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Social Science.
I am an adjunct instructor of Hydraulics. I initially taught every odd year in the spring term, but we will now teach every spring online.
This position was offered to me by the old Hydraulics instructor. It was the perfect case that when you decide to become an expert in a given subject and make it undeniable, the world recognizes that and will open up opportunities for you. After re-writing the pumping program, I began a series of quality improvement articles within our department. These were focused on the areas I had determined were commonly misunderstood by the greater body. I know this based on the testing I had proctored for the second-year program. My carefully crafted questions allowed me to determine where the knowledge breakdowns were.
I had the same work ethic as the Hydraulics instructor. My tests were designed with one goal in mind. Determine what information I had not shared adequately and then clarify. Hydraulics is a broad topic, but mathematics is the best way to describe water. To share the feeling of water is very difficult. "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." (Albert Einstein). The lesson I had to learn from triathlon swim training helped me describe laminar flow easily. I will continue to fine-tune my delivery to make my very technical subject fun to learn and easy to share with our peers. I may be teaching a student now, but that student will eventually teach someone else. I want to be part of the circle of life's lessons.
Knowledge Learned:
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How to manage Canvas training platforms.
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How to Engage and promote a learning environment in the Online forum.
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Develop alternate teaching opportunities for different learning styles.
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I developed a deeper knowledge of the subject matter of hydraulics.
2022 to Present
SWSOG Manager: (Southeast Washington Special Operations Group)
Position: Equipment and team Manager
Academic Area:
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Fire Service Administration.
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Communication.
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Leadership.
I took on the position of the Southeast Washington Special Operations Group manager.
The Group is how the region provided a Type 2 Rated HAZMAT response. To defray the high costs related to HAZMAT, ten departments throughout the Yakima Valley contribute to a singular team. My position is to run the team and maintain the equipment. I work with one other individual who is the Training Coordinator. We establish all operating procedures and train the stream to that level. This is a unique position in that we are dealing directly with the area chairs in board meetings and then delivering on their requests directly with the team.
Knowledge Learned:
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How to lead a positive and high-functioning team comprised of 10 different departments.
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How to coordinate with FBI and CST (Civil Support Team) resources.
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How do you coordinate with state-run organizations like the Department of Health.
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How to justify Costs and equipment upgrades.
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How to Maintain all industry-standard gear and tooling.
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How to solicit support from regional partners for Team-related initiatives.
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How to facilitate productive team training and drills.
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How to deploy industry best practices to accomplish the mission.
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How to develop operational manuals and training.
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How to empower team members to take on more team ownership.
Volunteer Experience
2008-2009
Spokane County Fire District 10
Positon:
Firefighter/EMT
Academic Area:
-
Fire service administration.
-
Artistic Process and Creation.
-
Communication
Respond and mitigate fire and life-threatening emergencies in and around Spokane County Fire District 10.
One year as a volunteer, then transitioned to part-time with the same Department.
My time as a volunteer taught me the skills of the fire and medical service. Those details are quantified in my certifications and college credits. I learned that the most valuable lesson in my career is the sense of purpose. Compensation is merely an accounting of talent and a job well done. But the factor that allows you to change the world for a better pace and consistently give your all is Purpose. Simons Senek later gave me the words to articulate this idea, "Start with the Why." I knew at that early stage that no matter what paycheck I got, this career in the fire service allowed me to use every skill I had for the community good. As a leader, I carefully structure my content and delivery to reflect the 'Why.' This reflects the mutual respect we should have for all people, starting with reasoning.
Knowledge Learned:
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How to develop Incident action plans on most emergency scenes.
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How to write up fire and EMS documentation.
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How to develop Fire truck designs.
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How to Learn through the Iterative Fabrication Process.
2017-2019
Tri-Cities Marathon
Postion:
Race Director
Academic Area:
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Leadership
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Communication
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Sociology
I took this position as part of the 3 River Road Runners Club. I managed all elements of the event. This race is a Boston Qualifier and is presently past its 40th year.
I was an athlete doing Ironmans at the time. I loved the fitness community and needed to contribute to this goal. When the director stepped down for health reasons, I volunteered until we could find a more permanent director. This was a huge learning curve. I was suddenly thrust into a business world I had never had to deal with. I learned to liaise with all local law enforcement agencies, recruited sponsors and managed my first website. We had nearly 500 participants this first year, and I learned quickly to delegate where I could, control the critical details, and let the unnecessary drop. Communication was vital when my wife and I designed the volunteer packets to ensure exact support and policies. After two years of doing this on the side, the club had a member who had full-time experience in this realm, and I happily relinquished the race to her. I continue to participate in these events. This experience helped me immensely when I became a leading member of our regional Honor Guard.
Knowledge Learned:
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How to permit events on a large scale.
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How to manage a website to perform sales and participation data.
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How to organize workflows for volunteers with zero experience.
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How to develop engaging race swag and finisher awards.
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How to justify future sponsorships based on community participation.
2017 to Present
Tri-Cities
Firefighter Honor Guard
Postion:
Commander
Equipment manager
Academic Area:
-
Leadership
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Communication
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Sociology
The Honor Guard's primary mission is to Honor the sacrifice of our fallen firefighters. These include Funerals for fallen firefighters, special events, memorials, and US Flag ceremonies. I act as a Detail Commander and will work to organize this event from the moment of tragedy to their final Honors.
As a Career firefighter, you will likely lose someone close to you to this job. Sadly, I have a growing list, and I felt I needed to do my part in recognizing this lifestyle that takes one hundred-plus firefighters annually. I grew up as an altar server in the Catholic faith and, by the time I had graduated, was a master of ceremony. This experience and my leadership development became another sense of purpose for me. I showed that I could perform under high stress and quickly train and function as part of an exact team, delivering the firefighter honors. The firefighters all pitched in for initial training in 2017, and we have continued to provide the best of service throughout the northwest. Not only do we perform certain exact ceremonies, including the US flag folds, but as a leader, we introduce ourselves in the planning process as soon as possible; we meet and help grieve, and we activate large-scale state resources like the 'LAST' team and 'Behind the Badge' to honor our fallen. This side of the service takes on a leadership role as we quickly organize Honor Guard members from across the state, establish common terminology, and execute flawlessly.
Knowledge Learned:
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How to develop team cohesion to perform perfectly.
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How to research historical tradition regarding ceremonies.
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How to organize events that flow and prevent awkward elements.
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How to work with a family from the moment of tragedy to provide the best experience.
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How to communicate with the community to solicit funding and support.
Shop Experience
2003-2014
1963
Cadillac Coupe' De Ville
Academic Area:
-
Artistic Process and Creation.
I bought this car from a junkyard when I was 13 years old and completed a frame-off restoration. This was my first attempt at the iterative process, and it is currently undergoing further upgrades.
This is my art form. I believe that every vehicle that is driven must be loved and appreciated. Each of us can choose a vehicle that is an extension of ourselves. I love to hear everyone's story and love sharing mine.
This Cadillac served as the first step in the iterative process of learning. Since working on it, I have learned the art of suspensions, Bodywork, Engine Building, Interior upholstery, and, most importantly, beauty. So many things in life are first tools, but they should also be beautiful. Image a world where we prioritized beauty in the cost-to-benefit matrix.
Knowledge Learned:
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Paint and Bodywork
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Airbag systems
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Auto-electrical
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Rebuild Engine and transmission.
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Engine tuning.
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Powdercoat components
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Interior Upholstery.
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Licensing and VIN Reassignment process.
2018-2020
1960
Kenworth Hotrod Semi-truck
Academic Area:
-
Artistic Process and Creation.
I built my ultimate vehicle from an old hay truck. It is now a low-rider semi-truck capable of one hundred miles per hour while carrying 20,000 lbs—a fan favorite.
Knowledge Learned:
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How to design components using CAD Fusion 360.
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How to reassess a build-plan to contribute toward my vision.
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Pair old truck parts with newer components.
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How to deal with licensing and registration of a collector vehicle.
2019-2021
1935
Ford Firetruck, Old No 2.
Academic Area:
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Artistic Process and Creation.
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Communication
This was the Kennewick Fire Department's No. 2 fire truck from 1935 to 1966. In the fall of 2019, as part of Local 1296, we bought this truck from the City. I restored it with the community's funding and support. It now runs in all local parades and community events.
Knowledge Learned:
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How to bring others on board with a historical truck restoration.
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How to manage fundraisers for this truck.
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How to manage a build budget with a union.
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How to rebuild the rare bead-lock-rim style wheels.
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How to wire 6v Positive Ground.
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How to fine-tune Flathead V-8 engines.
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How body work 30’s era panels.
2020
The Super Mongo Shop
Academic Area:
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Artistic Process and Creation.
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Communcation
The loving title coined by my kiddos. The shop was a goal of mine to design in CAD and build entirely on my own. I worked with family engineers to deliver my version of the perfect shop. I started Construction in July and was completed before snow fell in December.
Knowledge Learned:
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Designing a custom building via Fusion 360 CAD.
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How to communicate the build plan to engineering and permitting for approval.
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How to lay out the building with exact elevations and dimensions.
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How to prepare the ground and set poles.
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How to frame and sheet.
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How to design and prepare radiant heated floors.
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How to complete flatwork concrete on a large pour.
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How to wire electrical
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How to plumb the various tasks, such as a septic lift system and radiant floor heat.
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How to insulate.
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How to cut and pour the curb/driveway approach.
2011-Present
Gate, Fence and Handrail Fabrication
Academic Area:
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Artistic Process and Creation.
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Communcation
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Business
Welding and fabrication are things that I grew up doing. Part of my craft is to design and build the most beautiful, functional metal gates, rails, and fences. For the last decade, I have designed and fabricated the finest units. I am careful to develop this craft out of the peace of mind it gives me. I do not make it a business, so I do not have to sacrifice quality for value. Each project has a lesson to teach me. I now have my own sandblast room and powder coat over to ensure the outcome is within my control.
Knowledge Learned:
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How to communicate an idea via CAD programs.
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How to design gates and rails based on the exposure forces.
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How to analyze the build workflow to save time.
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How to perform metal preparation for powder coat.’
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How to powder coat.
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How to build a high-capacity powder coat oven.
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How to evaluate design efficacy.
Education
2011-2014
Collumbia Basin College
I completed the core fire science coursework as part of the Washington State Joint Apprentice Training. Completed Journeyman Firefighter in 2014.
2014-2016
Collumbia Basin College
I completed the paramedic program with all prerequisite work. Sat for the Certification test in July 2016. I have been an active Washington State Certified Paramedic since then.
2023-Present
Eastern Oregon University
Pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Fire Service Administration. Preparing for Cheif Level positions.
The blend of form and function is the foundation of beauty
My business is one of learning. I perceive problems and become the solution.
