Adam Ketchum
Richlands,NC
Summary
With a distinguished career at Onslow County Emergency Services, I excel in operational leadership and emergency management, showcasing a talent for fire investigation and rescue operations. My achievements include enhancing inter-agency coordination and public safety education, significantly improving response strategies and operational readiness without exceeding budget constraints.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Deputy Fire Chief
Back Swamp Volunteer Fire Department
09.2002 - Current
- Coordinate fire investigation efforts alongside law enforcement agencies to determine origin, cause, and potential criminal activity related to fires within jurisdictional boundaries.
- Enhance community relations through public education initiatives, including fire prevention workshops and school presentations.
- Collaborate with local agencies to create regional response plans for large-scale incidents, improving overall preparedness levels.
- Reduce property damage and loss by conducting regular fire safety inspections in high-risk areas.
- Establish strong relationships with neighboring departments to enhance mutual aid agreements during large-scale emergencies or resource shortages.
- Mentor junior officers on leadership principles, cultivating a culture of professional growth within the department ranks.
- Oversee incident command at major emergencies, coordinating resources and communication for optimal results.
- Led the development of standard operating procedures that improved efficiency across multiple divisions within the organization.
- Promote a positive work environment by fostering open communication channels between all staff members and addressing concerns promptly.
- Inspect apparatus, equipment, grounds, and stations for proper order and condition.
- Supervise cleaning and maintenance of buildings, rooms and equipment.
- Assess scenes, coordinate responses and communicate critical details through two-way radios.
Fire Rescue Division Head
Onslow County Emergency Services
05.2020 - 12.2024
- Managed budgets effectively, ensuring optimal resource allocation for division projects and goals.
- Communicated and collaborated with stakeholders to achieve division objectives.
- Set and oversaw division budgets in excess of $1million per year.
- Supervised daily planning, coordination and administration for division operations.
- Coordinated, scheduled and maintained team resources to achieve top levels of operational readiness.
- Optimized fire services management with introduction of new systems, policies, procedures and tools.
- Established strong relationships with local government officials to secure necessary funding and resources for the department''s needs.
- Improved emergency response times by implementing new dispatch procedures and optimizing resource allocation.
- Supervised incident command operations, ensuring proper coordination among on-scene personnel and effective communication with external agencies.
- Successfully led large-scale emergency exercises, testing the readiness of personnel under high-pressure scenarios and identifying gaps in response capabilities.
- Conducted thorough investigations into fire incidents, working closely with law enforcement agencies to determine causes and identify responsible parties when necessary.
- Collaborated with neighboring departments for seamless interoperability during large-scale emergencies or natural disasters.
- Oversaw scene operations and assigned firefighters to strategic locations.
Firefighter
Onslow County Emergency Services
08.2016 - 05.2020
- Operated fire hoses, hydrants and extinguishers to eliminate fire and prevent spreading.
- Utilized technical expertise in operating specialized firefighting equipment such as aerial ladders, hydraulic extrication tools, and thermal imaging cameras.
- Performed life-saving procedures during medical emergencies, administering CPR and first aid as needed.
- Documented emergency calls and equipment maintenance to enable tracking history and maintain accurate records.
- Evaluated situation at emergency sites to determine and execute most effective methods for saving life and property.
- Demonstrated strong leadership skills while serving as a mentor to new firefighters, fostering a culture of teamwork and professionalism within the department.
- Maintained optimal readiness for emergency situations by regularly participating in drills and training exercises.
- Oversaw equipment and vehicle upkeep to maintain emergency readiness.
- Enhanced overall departmental performance by attending professional development courses and conferences, sharing acquired knowledge with colleagues upon return.
- Maintained meticulous records of incident responses, ensuring accurate documentation for reporting purposes and future reference.
- Educated the local community on fire safety practices through presentations at schools, businesses, and other public venues.
- Participated in community outreach programs to raise awareness of fire prevention and safety measures.
- Assisted in the containment of hazardous materials spills, ensuring public safety and environmental protection.
- Drove and operated structural pumpers, tankers, ladders, and service vehicles to aid in rescue operations.
- Improved operational efficiency by helping maintain apparatus, equipment, and facilities according to established standards.
- Contributed to positive outcomes during multi-agency responses by effectively collaborating with law enforcement personnel, paramedics, and other emergency service providers.
- Conducted search and rescue operations during natural disasters, locating trapped individuals and providing assistance as needed.
- Assisted in wildfire suppression efforts by coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies to establish containment lines and protect threatened structures.
- Trained new firefighters to comply with safety protocols and equipment usage.
Crash Rescue Fire Fighter
Albert J Ellis Airport
07.2012 - 08.2016
- Served as Incident Commander in numerous aircraft emergencies, effectively directing resources and personnel for successful outcomes.
- Implemented new strategies for dealing with aircraft fuel spills, reducing the potential for fires or environmental contamination.
- Developed strong working relationships with airline personnel to facilitate seamless coordination during emergency situations involving aircraft.
- Continuously refined firefighting skills and rescue techniques by participating in advanced training courses and workshops.
- Increased operational readiness by maintaining firefighting apparatus, equipment, grounds, and station in optimal condition through rigorous inspection routines.
- Performed regular maintenance on water tanks, fire hoses and other firefighting equipment.
- Improved airport safety by conducting regular inspections and identifying potential hazards.
Emergency Responder
Onslow County Emergency Services
02.2012 - 07.2012
- Determined emergency situation and developed plan of action.
- Safely operated emergency vehicles in all types of weather conditions, adhering to local and state regulations while ensuring the well-being of patients onboard.
- Demonstrated adaptability in responding to diverse types of emergencies such as fires, medical incidents, hazardous materials spills, natural disasters, or search-and-rescue operations.
- Conducted equipment and vehicle checks to maintain continuous and safe operation.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Emergency Management
Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, NC05-2017
Skills
- Incident command
- Operational leadership
- Rescue operations
- Emergency management
- Fire investigation
- Fire pump operation
- Apparatus inspection
- Truck driving
Certification
Firefighter 1 & 2 - 2010
Emergency Vehicle Driver - 2010
Hazardous Materials Level 1 - 2010
Driver Operator Pumps - 2020
Driver Operator Aerials - 2020
Driver Operator Mobile Water Supply - 2020
Emergency Medical Responder - P089989
Fire Officer 1 - 2019
Fire Officer 2 - 2022
General Instructor 1 - 2016
Airport Firefighter - 2012
Technical Rescuer VMR - 2013
Technical Rescuer Water - 2018
Chief 101 - Updated in 2024
Basic Wildland Fire Suppression - 2019
Forestry L-180 - 2005
Forestry S-130 - 2005
Forestry Wildland Fire Suppression - 2005
NFA-Leadership-Creating Environments for Professional Growth - 2019
NFA-Leadership-Perspectives in Thinking - 2019
NFA-Leadership-Frameworks to Success - 2019
Timeline
Fire Rescue Division Head
Onslow County Emergency Services
05.2020 - 12.2024
Firefighter
Onslow County Emergency Services
08.2016 - 05.2020
Crash Rescue Fire Fighter
Albert J Ellis Airport
07.2012 - 08.2016
Emergency Responder
Onslow County Emergency Services
02.2012 - 07.2012
Deputy Fire Chief
Back Swamp Volunteer Fire Department
09.2002 - Current
Firefighter 1 & 2 - 2010
Emergency Vehicle Driver - 2010
Hazardous Materials Level 1 - 2010
Driver Operator Pumps - 2020
Driver Operator Aerials - 2020
Driver Operator Mobile Water Supply - 2020
Emergency Medical Responder - P089989
Fire Officer 1 - 2019
Fire Officer 2 - 2022
General Instructor 1 - 2016
Airport Firefighter - 2012
Technical Rescuer VMR - 2013
Technical Rescuer Water - 2018
Chief 101 - Updated in 2024
Basic Wildland Fire Suppression - 2019
Forestry L-180 - 2005
Forestry S-130 - 2005
Forestry Wildland Fire Suppression - 2005
NFA-Leadership-Creating Environments for Professional Growth - 2019
NFA-Leadership-Perspectives in Thinking - 2019
NFA-Leadership-Frameworks to Success - 2019
Associate of Applied Science - Emergency Management
Wayne Community College
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