CHRISTOPHER VALENCIA
NOGALES
Summary
To continue my career as a wildland firefighter within the U.S. Forest Service. To care for natural resources and help provide for their continued health for current and future generations. I am seeking the position as a Captain on a fire engine that will grant me the opportunity to use my leadership skills, while enabling me to utilize my knowledge and experience in wildland firefighting and to complete tasks in a safe, effective, and timely manner.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Fire Engine Operator, GS-7 Step 3
Forest Service
03.2023 - Current
- Unofficially acted as the Captain on AZ-CNF-E321 to help with staffing from December 2024 to current.
- Successfully onboarded new employees and facilitated training for seasonal employees to complete their critical 80 hours.
- A current and responsible GPC cardholder. I assist with purchasing for the Nogales Ranger District as well as for ongoing incidents, while completing all documentation needed on U.S. Bank to complete purchases.
- Completed travel on ETS2 for myself and employees who were on assignment with me.
- Completed time for myself and crew on Paycheck 8.
- Maintained training record and IQCS for all employees on AZ-CNF-E321.
- Operated various types of fire apparatuses, demonstrating versatility and adaptability in diverse work environments.
- Maintained a safe working environment by enforcing strict adherence to safety guidelines and protocols.
- Assisted in training new firefighters, sharing knowledge of best practices and promoting a culture of teamwork amongst peers.
- Provided on-the-job training to newly hired workers and team members.
- Maintained knowledge of industry policies and procedures to set up and operate equipment safely.
- Worked outside in all weather conditions.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure seamless coordination of tasks and efficient completion of projects.
- Reduced equipment downtime by troubleshooting issues and performing timely repairs.
- Increased overall product quality through meticulous attention to detail during operation processes.
- Consistently met or exceeded performance targets while maintaining strict adherence to health, safety, and environmental regulations.
- Accurately documented all operational data, ensuring up-to-date records for review and analysis.
- Conducted preventative maintenance on equipment to reduce repair costs.
- Cut and cleared brush and dug trenches to create fire lines using axes, chainsaws or shovels.
- Patrolled burnt areas after fires to locate and eliminate hot spots that could flare or rekindle.
- Enhanced wildfire containment by coordinating and executing strategic fireline construction.
- Upheld high standards of professionalism while interacting with the public during prescribed burns or emergency situations.
- Optimized firefighter performance through active participation in daily physical training sessions designed to maintain endurance levels.
- Improved crew safety through diligent hazard assessment and risk management during incidents.
- Established water supplies, connected hoses and directed water onto fires.
- Mitigated environmental impact of wildfires by implementing soil erosion prevention techniques during fireline construction.
- Maintained readiness for rapid response by ensuring timely completion of required training certifications and qualifications updates.
- Reduced wildfire damage to property by employing effective structure protection measures.
- Oversaw equipment and vehicle upkeep to maintain emergency readiness.
- Bolstered crew cohesion through strong communication skills, fostering a supportive team environment.
- Collaborated with interagency partners to share resources, knowledge, and strategies for more effective wildfire response.
- Supported incident management teams with accurate mapping, GPS tracking, and real-time information sharing.
- Boosted situational awareness among firefighters through consistent monitoring of weather conditions and fire behavior patterns.
- Safeguarded the natural environment from negative long-term effects following suppression activities through rehabilitation efforts such as reseeding burnt areas.
- Operated pumping engine to direct water pressure in hose and nozzle for most efficient operation.
- Ensured prompt medical care for injured crew members by providing first aid support when necessary.
- Assisted in the development of new firefighters by providing guidance and mentorship as a seasoned wildland firefighter.
- Streamlined incident reporting processes with meticulous documentation of personnel hours, equipment usage, and costs incurred.
- Promoted public awareness of wildfire dangers by participating in community outreach programs and events.
- Increased operational efficiency with thorough pre-season equipment maintenance and inspection routines.
- Facilitated safe aerial operations as a knowledgeable helitack crew member proficient in helicopter safety protocols and procedures.
- Assisted in development of firebreaks to control spread of wildfires, safeguarding surrounding communities and natural habitats.
- Conducted thorough post-incident analyses to identify areas for improvement in tactics and safety protocols.
- Optimized resource allocation by accurately assessing fire behavior and terrain challenges during planning stages.
- Improved firefighting efficiency with use of technology for real-time monitoring and mapping of fire progress.
- Reduced environmental impact of wildfires by employing controlled burning techniques under strict safety conditions.
- Supported continuous improvement by participating in debrief sessions and training workshops, sharing knowledge gained from frontline experiences.
- Conducted rigorous training sessions for new recruits, improving team readiness and response efficiency.
- Facilitated smoother evacuations, coordinating with law enforcement and emergency services during high-risk fire incidents.
- Traveled to various incidents all over the country to assist with wildland fire suppression efforts.
Fire Engine Operator, E-321, GS-6
Nogales Ranger District, Coronado National Forest
03.2022 - 03.2023
- Oversaw and led 6 crewmembers on type 3 engine, assuring task, purpose, and end state understanding while prioritizing values at risk.
- Instilled good habits and safe decision-making to new crewmembers. Encouraged them to lead from their position and to help contribute to crew comradery.
- Kept crew fit for duty and held daily workouts that challenged us both physically and mentally to become stronger for our tough work environment.
- Currently have an Arizona Commercial Driver’s License.
- Have been an engine boss on multiple assignments including Initial attack and extended attack fires.
- While on wildfires, briefed our crew on work assignments, communications, adjoining recourses, escape routes and safety zones.
- Led multiple crews and engines on initial attack fires and came up with the best plan of attack. Tactics that have been used under my supervision have been, hose lays, line digging and cutting, swatters, bladder bags, mobile attack on fire apparatus and/or burn outs.
- Properly operated fire apparatus, driving to and from assignments. Made sure apparatus was safe to operate, keeping up with daily truck checks and routine maintenance.
- While fighting wildfires, positioned fire apparatus away from any imminent danger and made sure there was proper ingress and egress.
- Successfully and safely performed mobile and stationary attack on wildfires. Pumped hose lays, adjusting pump speeds to ensure proper flow of water to firefighters.
- Performed mobile attack on fast moving wildfires, communicating with person on the nozzle using hand signals and other communication techniques while ensuring fire apparatus was always in a spot where we can readjust or move away from any immediate threat without any complications.
- Directed back burns on extended attack incidents, using various burning tactics and formations all while coordinating with the holding boss to ensure that there were no spot fires or holding recourses getting spread out.
- Participated as a firing boss on the Cave Creek RX. Coordinated with the burn boss for specifications of the burn, ensuring goals and priorities were met. Built a plan with adjoining firing bosses and holding bosses while prioritizing safety of firefighters and the public and to successfully complete the burn within a timely manner.
- Have successfully completed multiple 14-day assignments as engine boss in different forests. Including type 2 and type 3 fires, where checking in and demobilization were required.
- Have worked and gone on assignments with multiple helicopter crews to keep up with training and sharpen skills on fire line.
- Responsible Government Credit Card Holder.
- Regularly reconcile purchases for Government Credit Card on U.S. Bank website.
- Have completed travel reconciliation for myself and crewmembers on Concur website.
- Currently have an incident Commander Type 4 task book open with four assignments completed.
- Supervisor: Jesus Bonicichi, (520) 988-0672
- Jesus.Bonicichi@usda.gov
Assistant Fire Engine Operator Detail, E-321, GS-6
Nogales Ranger District, Coronado National Forest
07.2021 - 11.2021
- Successfully completed two 180-day details as an Assistant Fire Engine Operator on Engine 321.
- As part of this role, I had various duties which challenged my leadership skills with managing multiple firefighters.
- During this detail, I successfully completed the Southwest Engine Academy.
- Taught various classes during the detail, including S-130, S-190, S-131, & S-212.
- Was also in charge of holding daily workouts for crewmembers, to keep crew fit for duty.
- Lead multiple firefighters into wildfires using various techniques to suppress the wildfire including, line construction, hose lays, back burn and burnouts.
- Took command of fires, when in initial attack. While analyzing fire activity, I developed plans of attack using fire knowledge and experience while ensuring firefighter safety. Oversaw the entirety of the fire, making sure firefighters were being safe, effective and were logistically took care of.
- Made sure crew had all proper equipment, including Personal Protective Equipment.
- Oversaw the Nogales Ranger District fire cache, which involved tracking items, ordering items that were needed and maintaining equipment that was already in the cache.
- Was in charge of the inventory and maintenance of our Type 3 engine. Scheduled appointments for various mechanical issues or routine maintenance that was needed to be done to the fire apparatus.
- Kept fire engine ready to assist in emergency assignments.
- Lead firefighters to and from work assignments which included out of state assignments as well.
- Attended multiple school events to help recruit for the Forest Service.
- Scouted and prepped multiple units on the Nogales Ranger District for prescribed fire.
- Supervisor: Jesus Bonicichi, (520) 988-0672
- Jesus.bonicichi@usda.gov
Senior Firefighter, E-321, GS-5
Nogales Ranger District, Coronado National Forest
02.2020 - 03.2022
- I spent three years as a senior firefighter on E-321, this was also my first permanent job with the Forest Service.
- During this time I was tasked with multiple assignments including, training new firefighters, keeping crew morale high, doing time for crewmembers and myself, updating IQCS responder sheets, keeping inventory of trucks, leading crew members into fires while following chain of command, becoming incident commander on fires when first on scene and completing multiple projects not related to fire.
- Filled in with multiple 20 person hand crews, to gain more experience and to learn different tactics and capabilities.
- Supervisor: Jorge Amaya, (520) 313-1500
- Jorge.amaya@usda.gov
Education
High School Diploma -
Nogales Highschool
Nogales, AZ05-2013
Skills
- Engine Boss, Single Resource
- Incident Commander Type 4
- Incident Commander Type 5
- Helicopter Crewmember
- Firefighter Type 1
- Technical Specialist
- Firing Boss, Single Resource (T)
Timeline
Fire Engine Operator, GS-7 Step 3
Forest Service
03.2023 - Current
Fire Engine Operator, E-321, GS-6
Nogales Ranger District, Coronado National Forest
03.2022 - 03.2023
Assistant Fire Engine Operator Detail, E-321, GS-6
Nogales Ranger District, Coronado National Forest
07.2021 - 11.2021
Senior Firefighter, E-321, GS-5
Nogales Ranger District, Coronado National Forest
02.2020 - 03.2022
High School Diploma -
Nogales Highschool