Ronald Leal
Sidney,NE
Summary
Seasoned Emergency Manager with 13+ years of experience and 34+ years as a Volunteer Firefighter. Proven expertise in executing Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Responses to emergency events, managing budgets, and improving training and collaboration between volunteer and paid agencies within five counties served.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Fire Chief
Sidney Volunteer Fire Department
09.2022 - Current
- Coordinate, supervise, and evaluate fire, rescue, and EMS operations with Fire Chief and all subordinate personnel.
- Coordinated interagency cooperation during large-scale incidents, ensuring efficient resource allocation and response efforts.
- Established strong relationships with neighboring areas through mutual aid agreements and collaborative training efforts.
- Ensures all city mandates and standards are consistently met.
- Aided law enforcement with spotting and reporting dangerous weather conditions and damage.
- Monitored maintenance records of fire engines to keep vehicles updated.
- Collaborated with local community groups to promote fire safety awareness and prevention initiatives.
- Established and continued communication with local government to maintain positive relationships.
- Evaluated team performance and implemented strategies to close gaps in skills or knowledge.
- Assisted with training and development of new firefighters through development of extensive job-related modules.
- Establish training objectives for department members in hazardous materials and operations. Also intricate in training in firefighting and rescue operations.
- Create policies, procedures, standards, and protocols for fire suppression operations and emergency response.
- Collaborate with local law enforcement officials on joint operations and emergency response
- Respond to fires and emergency alarms and evaluate emergencies to direct company operations
- Provide clear and decisive leadership by rapidly assessing and responding to changing field conditions.
- Served as a liaison between the fire department and other municipal agencies or government officials regarding public safety concerns.
- Assisted in the development of department budgets to ensure adequate funding for personnel, equipment, and training.
- Oversaw procurement processes for necessary equipment upgrades or replacements, ensuring fiscal responsibility while maintaining operational readiness.
Director
Region 21 Emergency Management
11.2011 - Current
- Provides Emergency Management over five counties in southwest Nebraska.
- Develop and deepen relationships with local municipalities, county departments, city departments, and all volunteer organizations
- Facilitate emergency plan development, response effort coordination, and personal and equipment exchange with municipalities and county departments
- Develop and implement emergency management plans for natural and manmade disasters
- Create training programs to educate staff on how to respond in an emergency
- Organize evacuation drills and exercises to ensure readiness during a crisis
- Planned and executed community outreach initiatives designed to promote awareness of hazards and provide resources for preparedness activities
- Manages operations, ensuring financial resources are located appropriately
- Serve as a liaison between government entities at various levels during times of crisis
- Identify practical and potential problems facing emergency services and implement realistic and successful solutions
- Started Region 21 CERT in 2013; currently, there are 19 volunteers
- Team aided Cheyenne & neighboring counties during turbulent weather (blizzards, tornados, etc.) and sheltered two hundred stranded motorists.
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Maintained accurate records of all emergency management activities for regulatory compliance purposes and reporting needs.
- Coordinated post-disaster recovery efforts, working closely with government agencies and private sector partners to rebuild impacted communities.
- Developed tailored training programs for first responders and emergency management staff, increasing overall proficiency in handling emergencies.
- Improved community resilience by conducting public awareness campaigns on emergency preparedness measures.
- Prioritized the safety and well-being of all community members by fostering a proactive, risk-based approach to emergency management.
- Implemented incident command system protocols to establish clear lines of authority during crisis situations.
- Monitored severe weather events, providing timely alerts and guidance to affected communities.
- Organized large-scale emergency exercises to test interagency coordination and resource allocation capabilities.
- Managed resources efficiently, allocating personnel and equipment during critical response operations.
- Ensured constant readiness by maintaining a well-stocked inventory of essential supplies and equipment needed for disaster response.
- Enhanced disaster preparedness by developing and implementing comprehensive emergency management plans.
- Coordinated multi-agency responses for effective disaster relief during major incidents.
- Evaluated response efforts after incidents, identifying opportunities for improvement in future emergency management operations.
- Oversaw the development of continuity of operations plans for key institutions in the community, ensuring minimal disruption during disasters.
- Maintained current understanding of local, state and federal guidelines for emergency response.
- Facilitated emergency management training for staff and conducted emergency drills.
- Built and strengthened relationships to manage effective planning and implementation of emergency response strategies.
- Applied for federal funding for emergency-management-related needs and administered and reported on progress of such grants.
- Kept informed of activities or changes that could affect likelihood of emergencies, factors that could affect response efforts and details of plan implementation.
Education
High School Diploma -
Sidney High School
Sidney, NESkills
- Emergency Management
- Fire suppression
- Hazardous Materials Response
- Disaster preparedness
- Emergency Response
- Rescue Operations
- Firefighting operations
- Emergency Response Coordination
- Disaster management
References
- Marion McDermott, Disaster Program Manager, American Red Cross of Nebraska and Iowa, 308-258-1536, marion.mcdermott@redcross.org
- Matt Butts, Fire Chief, Sidney Volunteer Fire Department, 308-249-6556, mbutts02@gmail.com
- Tim Newman, Emergency Manager, Region 22 Emergency Management, (308) 765-2786, tim.newman@scottsbluffne.gov
- Bob Hessler, CERT Coordinator, Scottsbluff CERT, (308) 631-0076, safetyline@gmail.com
Timeline
Assistant Fire Chief
Sidney Volunteer Fire Department
09.2022 - Current
Director
Region 21 Emergency Management
11.2011 - Current
High School Diploma -
Sidney High School
Similar Profiles
Carter MikkelsenCarter Mikkelsen
Volunteer at Sidney Volunteer Fire Department Food DrivesVolunteer at Sidney Volunteer Fire Department Food Drives
Grant NealGrant Neal
Volunteer EMT/Emergency Fire Fighter at North Beach Volunteer Fire DepartmentVolunteer EMT/Emergency Fire Fighter at North Beach Volunteer Fire Department
Logan J. GilleyLogan J. Gilley
Volunteer Firefighter at Doe Valley Volunteer Fire DepartmentVolunteer Firefighter at Doe Valley Volunteer Fire Department
Nicholas DewittNicholas Dewitt
Network Technician II / Fiber Splicer at Highline Services, LLCNetwork Technician II / Fiber Splicer at Highline Services, LLC
NICOLE FORNANDERNICOLE FORNANDER
Compliance Specialist at Adams IndustriesCompliance Specialist at Adams Industries