Training Division Accomplishments

  • Transformational Leadership: Led the Training Division during its most transformative period in history.
  • Revolutionary Recruit Training: Developed groundbreaking recruit training methods, producing some of the best academy classes ever. Recognized by Chief Scott Thompson and Chief Curt Isakson.
  • Promotional Academies Enhancement: Updated syllabi to emphasize leadership and progressive skill-building.
  • Advanced Decision-Making Training: Introduced Recognition-Primed Decision Making to enhance fireground judgment.
  • Iudicium – Major Training Event: Founded the department’s largest training event, multi-tiered, nationally recognized, and modeled by other departments.
  • Fire Studio Improvements: Expanded sets and reps to reinforce firefighter knowledge and skills.
  • Recruit Academy Overhaul: Streamlined and reorganized the training structure.

Fostering Pride, Ownership & Culture

  • Historical Chain Concept: Connected recruits to OKCFD’s history and tradition.
  • Chief Recognition Ceremony: Graduates welcomed personally by the Fire Chief at Iudicium completion.
  • SCBA Confidence Course: Designed courses targeting essential survival skills.
  • Covid Safety Planning: Developed and implemented pandemic protocols.
  • Drill Ground Enhancements: Introduced “forge” theme and “one standard” motto.
  • AOA Program Reinvention: Rewrote manual, added realistic operational scenarios, enhanced fireground tactical knowledge.
  • Operational Improvements: Graduates have increased record of successful interventions and lives saved.

Training Program Development & Recognition

  • Expanded promotional academies from 1 to 2 weeks.
  • Achieved FF1 & FF2 reciprocity with OSU for ~380 firefighters.
  • Implemented continuity folders to preserve institutional knowledge.
  • Branded Training Division with custom logo, murals, tables, and podiums.
  • Maintained SOPs, wrote injury reports, conducted evaluations, organized ISO data, and digitized training records.

EMS Training Office

  • Updated BLS and ALS refresher programs.
  • Implemented several enduring EMS courses still in use today.

Safety Office

  • Created a digital NSDS chemical inventory accessible to all employees.
  • Developed NIOSH-compliant secondary container labeling system.

Suppression Experience

  • Station Officer (Captain) of a multi-company house.
  • Assisted in drafting natural disaster procedures, including wide area searches and 3-band marking.
  • Served as paramedic preceptor for company officers in new paramedic program.

Skills

  • Leadership & Management
  • Decisive Decision-Making
  • Strong Communication & Active Listening
  • Mentorship & Team Building
  • Organizational Excellence & Strategic Planning
  • Instruction & Education
  • Problem Solving & Time Management
  • Interpersonal Skills

Oklahoma Task Force One – Urban Search & Rescue

  • Roles: Safety Officer, Canine Search Specialist, Medical Specialist, Confined Space, Rope, Structural Collapse, Trench, and Swift Water Technician.
  • Developed K-9 Search & Rescue team and program policies.
  • Placed 2nd with partner “Salsa” in Iron Dog Search & Rescue Competition (24-hour intensive).
  • Subject Matter Expert for US Military and multiple national US&R exercises.
  • Designed, implemented, and evaluated disaster site training: wide area search, confined space, high/low angle rescue, and swift water.

Subject Matter Expert – US Military

  • US Northern Command Vigilant Guard – Camp Ravenna (2014) & Massachusetts (2020)
  • Virginia National Guard Full Scale MOBEX (2015)
  • Ohio National Guard Full Scale MOBEX (2016)
  • Oregon National Guard / US Army CERFP (2021)
  • Roles: Command & Control Evaluator, disaster scenario developer, participant testing & evaluation