Expert Details

Fire Department Operations and Emergency Management

ID: 740423 California, USA

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Expert is a highly accomplished fire service executive with a 40-year career in the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD), retiring at the rank of Battalion Chief in 2024. His extensive experience spans fire suppression, wildland firefighting, emergency medical services, technical rescue, hazardous materials management, urban search and rescue, aircraft rescue firefighting, and marine firefighting. With a career in public safety and emergency response, Expert has demonstrated exceptional leadership in managing large-scale emergency incidents and overseeing high-profile public safety operations.

As a California State Certified Wildland Incident Strike Team Leader, Expert has been involved in multiple city, county, state, and federal incident responses, making him well-versed in strategic command and emergency operations. His expertise also extends to fire investigation, where he has served as a Certified Fire Investigator with significant experience in fire origin and cause analysis. His ability to conduct risk assessments, pre-incident planning, and fire prevention strategies for large-scale public assembly occupancies has made him a true subject matter expert in fire service management.

Throughout his tenure with the LAFD, Expert held several critical command positions, including Battalion Commander for multiple districts, where he was responsible for supervising fire stations, personnel, and operational responses in high-density urban, industrial, and commercial areas. He also served as Section Commander for the Arson Counter Terrorism Section within the Homeland Security Division, overseeing fire investigations and coordinating with law enforcement on counter-terrorism efforts.

Beyond emergency response, Expert has contributed to administrative and training initiatives, holding key positions such as Officer-in-Charge of the Medical Liaison Unit, Personnel Background Investigations, and the Internal Affairs Section. His role in the Significant Incident Investigations Team (SIIT) allowed him to conduct critical analyses of firefighter near-miss, injury, and fatality incidents, improving safety protocols and operational procedures. His tenure as a Department Advocate further strengthened his expertise in legal and risk management, where he represented the department in Board of Rights hearings and conducted high-level investigations.

A lifelong advocate for firefighter safety and training, Expert has been instrumental in developing tactical EMS programs, hazardous materials response strategies, and search and rescue initiatives. His extensive certifications in incident command, structural and aircraft rescue firefighting, hazardous materials management, and wildland fire behavior highlight his commitment to professional excellence. He has also played an active role in various professional organizations, including the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the California Conference of Arson Investigators, and the International Association of Arson Investigators.

Education

Year Degree Subject Institution
Year: 1990 Degree: AA Subject: Fire Administration Institution: Mt. San Antonio College

Work History

Years Employer Title Department
Years: 1983 to 2024 Employer: Los Angeles City Title: Battalion Chief Department: Fire Department
Responsibilities:
Responsible for managing and supervising trainings and overseeing multiple fire stations,
officers, and personnel within a geographical area in the City of Los Angeles. Served as Incident Commander, Operations Commander, and Division/Group Supervisor at
greater alarm and major emergency incidents throughout the City of Los Angeles.

Areas of emergency management included high-density districts, comprised of industrial and commercial structures, and multiple residential occupancies, high-value, high-profile public assemblage occupancies, Port of Los Angeles, and Los Angeles International Airport. Incident Commander at multi-casualty incidents, technical rescue incidents and various types of emergencies. Unified Commander with law enforcement at Tactical Law Enforcement incidents.

Responsible for training, mentoring and supervising Officers holding the rank of Captain II and Captain I. Responsible for supervising all Fire Investigators and staff assigned to the Arson Counter Terrorism Section.

Career Accomplishments

Associations / Societies
• California Conference of Arson Investigators (CCAI)
• International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
• National Association of Arson Investigators (NAAI)
• International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
Licenses / Certifications
• Los Angeles City Fire Department Chief Officer
• California State Fire Investigator - Fire Marshalls Office
• LAFD Technical Specialist
• CALJAC Firefighter
• California Incident Command Certification System (CICCS) - Strike Team Leader; Type 3 Incident Commander; Safety Officer Trainee
Professional Appointments
LAFD:
• Significant Incident Investigation Team Member
• Department Advocate
• Risk Management Legal Liaison Officer
• Vice President/Director, Chief Officers Association

Additional Experience

Training / Seminars
Several training, certification, and qualification courses (full list available upon request).

Fields of Expertise

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