I retired from the United States Forest Service on October 31st 2007 after 40 fires seasons at the age of 57. I started my career with the California Department of Forestry (now Cal Fire) in 1967 transferring to the US Forest Service in 1971. My last position was the Region 5 Fire Training Officer and ESF 4 liaison to FEMA Region 9. My current ICS IQCS qualifications are ESF4 and Operations Section Chief Type 1.
Over my career in fire management I spent 7 years on engine modules, 22 years in the Hotshot crew program, 3 years as a battalion chief, 6 years in Coop Fire and three years as the Regional Training officer.
I was a member of the type 1 California Incident Management team 1 and 2 for twelve years serving as a Division Branch and the last 5 years as the Operations Section Chief. I have also served as the ESF 4 on 9 different FEMA Assignments in Micronesia, Hawaii, Texas Space Shuttle, Katrina in Alabama and Ophelia in North Carolina.
I have been a qualified ICS instructor since 1979 and in my current positions as the Regional Training Officer I oversee 5 training centers who accomplish over 300 I and S courses at the 300 and 400 level. I have participated in the 2007 National Response Plan rewrite and have worked during disasters as an ESF 4 at the field, JFO and NRCC level. |
