Melanie Alchesay
Fort Apache,AZ
Summary
Accomplished Fire Chief at White Mountain Apache Fire & Rescue, I leveraged strong PR skills and decisive leadership to enhance operational efficiency and community trust. Skilled in firefighting operations and team management, I significantly increased skills development among new firefighters. Fluent in Apache, I excel in strategic planning and effective public speaking, fostering unparalleled team and community engagement.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Fire Chief
White Mountain Apache Fire & Rescue
06.2022 - Current
- Oversaw proper implementation of best practices, policies and procedures in alignment with regulations and operational needs.
- Managed department budget effectively, prioritizing essential equipment purchases and maintenance without compromising safety standards.
- Established strong relationships with local government officials to secure necessary funding and resources for department needs.
- Supervised incident command operations, ensuring proper coordination among on-scene personnel and effective communication with external agencies.
- Optimized fire services management with introductions of new systems, policies, procedures and tools.
- Strengthened interdepartmental communication through regular meetings, improving collaboration on projects involving multiple divisions.
- Promoted public trust in the department by maintaining transparency in operations, addressing concerns from community members, and ensuring accountability among staff members at all levels.
- Developed comprehensive training programs to ensure the continuous professional growth of firefighters and officers.
- Implemented community outreach initiatives to promote fire safety awareness and prevent potential hazards.
- Established a mentoring program for newer firefighters that increased their skills development rate significantly.
- Prepared and adjusted schedules to cover demand.
Deputy Fire Chief
White Mountain Apache Fire & Rescue
06.2019 - 06.2022
- Supervised firehouse operations, maintaining inventory and liaising with vendors to secure necessary supplies such as Equipment, Fleet Maintenance, and Tools to ensure top readiness
- Coordinated, scheduled, and maintained team resources to ensure top levels of operational readiness
- Maintained and refurbished equipment to ensure operational capability
- Inspected apparatus, equipment, grounds, and stations for proper order and condition
- Optimized fire services management with introductions of new systems, policies, procedures, and tools
- Oversee proper implementation of best practices, policies, and procedures in alignment with regulations and operational needs
- Monitored social media and online sources for industry trends
- Maintained historical records by documenting system changes and revisions
- Allocated duties and activities of personnel, routinely inspect employee's equipment, appearance and work methods
- Directed work of 26 firefighters engaged in extinguishing fires.
Suicide Prevention Case Manager
Johns Hopkins University-Center For American Indian Health
07.2018 - 06.2019
- Recruited new members through attendance at community events, promotional materials, and other methods
- Communicated with an average of 20 individuals of all backgrounds on a regular day.
- Recruited community members for projects and activities
- Provided emotional support while with residents to develop long-term plans and goals
- Referred families to shelters, legal resources, and educational programs
- Referred residents and families to community resources to improve well-being and quality of life
- Addressed issues immediately and worked with others to find the most effective solutions available
- Referred clients to appropriate team members, community agencies, and organizations to meet treatment needs
- Publicized community services to maintain positive public relations with community members
- Connected families with resources when children were identified as needing further assessment
- Responded to customer requests via telephone and email
Data Entry Clerk
AZZ TPP
06.2017 - 07.2018
- Added new material to file records and created new records
- Scanned documentation and entered into the database
- Assisted with receptionist duties, file organization, and research and development
- Answered and managed 30+ incoming and outgoing calls while recording accurate messages
- Provided general program information and assistance
- Answered telephone inquiries from clients, vendors, and the public
Case Management
Johns Hopkins University-Center For American Indian Health
06.2007 - 01.2016
- Provided case management services, counseling, education, and life-skills training to at-risk students.
- Collaborated with teachers, administrators, and guardians to determine the needs of individual students
- Performed statistical, qualitative, and quantitative analysis
- Recorded data and maintained source documentation following good documentation practices
- Wrote and edited data collection forms and questionnaires
Capt., Engineer, Fire Fighter
WMAT Fire And Rescue
10.2000 - 05.2014
- Made daily inspections of facilities and equipment
- Compiled and maintained a variety of departmental documentation including log books, run reports, training records, reports of suspected arson, violations of fire codes or ordinances, firefighter timesheets, accident reports, and “close call” reporting
- Preserved order and discipline among subordinates and gave assignments and instructions
- Took the lead in fighting fires and exercised considerable judgment in deciding the best way to extinguish a fire
- Responded quickly and effectively to all security violations and duress alarms
- Processed and logged accurate and detailed incident reports
- Responded to calls in both routine and emergency situations
- Maintained accurate and detailed logs of all events that occurred during each shift
- Delivered accurate verbal and written reports to company personnel
Supervisor/Team Lead
Our Childrens Shelter- Youth Group Home
06.1997 - 07.1999
- Monitored students for signs of trauma, abuse and neglect
- Communicated goals, plans and progress to parents or guardians
- Assessed clients for abuse and neglect and compiled documentation for court reports
- Referred individuals and families regarding mental health, substance abuse, physical abuse and rehabilitation issues
- Wrote reports and case summaries and compiled work records
- Provided case management services, counseling, education and life-skills training to diverse, at-risk clients
- Collaborated with the program director to determine and reduce the risk of self-harm and suicide
- Collaborated with court, law enforcement and community providers
Special Needs Assistant
White Mountain Apache Headstart Program
07.1995 - 05.1997
- Modified the general education curriculum for special-needs students based on various instructional techniques and technologies
- Kept learning environments focused, inclusive and supportive at all times
- Documented behaviors, interventions and results
- Maintained student safety in classroom and outside environments
- Set up visual aids, equipment and classroom displays
- Worked with individual students to provide personalized educational, behavioral and emotional support
- Assisted in implementing a curriculum with life-based approach
- Prepared instructional materials for group and one-on-one use
- Maintained safety and security of all youth under care
- Upheld commitment to educational excellence and fostered atmosphere of mutual respect and trust
- Established and maintained rapport with other staff, students, and parents to facilitate communication and academic progress
- Observed individual behaviors and suspect actions, and reported issues to supervisory staff
- Developed program to work with students and increase interest in higher learning
- Created new lesson plans based on course objectives
- Developed and taught lessons on relevant children's books, poems, movies and themes to promote student interest of Children's Literature as avenue of study
- Documented student attendance and progress against goals
Education
Associate of Arts - Business Administration
Tohono O'odham Community College
Sells, Az12-2025
Certificate - Fire Science
Northland Pioneer College
Show Low, Az2003
Certificate - Early Childhood Dev.
Northland Pioneer College
Holbrook, AZ1999
GED - undefined
Robertson High School
Las Vegas, NM1992
Skills
- Fluent in Apache
- Workload prioritization
- Interagency Coordination
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Professionalism
Timeline
Fire Chief
White Mountain Apache Fire & Rescue
06.2022 - Current
Deputy Fire Chief
White Mountain Apache Fire & Rescue
06.2019 - 06.2022
Suicide Prevention Case Manager
Johns Hopkins University-Center For American Indian Health
07.2018 - 06.2019
Data Entry Clerk
AZZ TPP
06.2017 - 07.2018
Case Management
Johns Hopkins University-Center For American Indian Health
06.2007 - 01.2016
Capt., Engineer, Fire Fighter
WMAT Fire And Rescue
10.2000 - 05.2014
Supervisor/Team Lead
Our Childrens Shelter- Youth Group Home
06.1997 - 07.1999
Special Needs Assistant
White Mountain Apache Headstart Program
07.1995 - 05.1997
Certificate - Fire Science
Northland Pioneer College
Certificate - Early Childhood Dev.
Northland Pioneer College
GED - undefined
Robertson High School
Associate of Arts - Business Administration
Tohono O'odham Community College
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