Aria Safakish
Reedsport
Summary
I'm a hard working individual who prefers hands-on work. I believe in honesty and transparency; these traits allow us to build trust and avoid miscommunications. I stay open minded because there is always something new to learn, even if it’s a better way of doing something I already know, there is no end to improvement. I always do my best to maintain a helpful and friendly attitude at work as moods are typically infectious. I enjoy working with people and have had many jobs doing so, but I'm just as comfortable working alone using my intuition and my supervisor’s instructions. From my years of experience in the service industry I learned how to deal with the general public and communicate politely and effectively. From my years of cooking experience, I've learned to pay close attention to detail to prevent small mistakes from cascading into larger ones and how proper organization of things makes things run smoothly in chaotic situations From my experience firefighting I've become more disciplined, learned to take responsibility for my mistakes, how to respond under pressure and gained good physical strength and endurance. I have also gained a passion for this type of work and intend to make my career as a first responder. I like helping others and serving my community, it gives me a sense of purpose unlike all the other jobs I’ve worked.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Volunteer Firefighter
Reedsport Volunteer Firefighter
Reedsport, OR
01.2023 - Current
- Initially when I moved out to the coast I volunteered with the local department. I wasn’t super interested in first; just saw it as a chance to help out the community occasionally but over the years the work grew on me, especially after joining CFPA. The work is exciting and rewarding. I’ve done a few structure fires and assisted in multiple MVAs. The position taught me the basics of what a FF1 recruit would be expected to accomplish and got me comfortable with the uncomfortable. I got used to responding to calls at odd hours of the night and then having to work the following day. I’ve had to extract a body from a car whose head was squished in square with his shoulders. Above all else it furthered my interest in working a career as a first responder; had a grant that funded my EMT class; and gave me a good standard of what a healthy fire department looks like. We have fun there too.
- I've been working part time at the station as provided a grant by the city.
- Reedsport, OR ???2023-Current (541) 271-2423
Line Cook
Ko-Kwel Casino
Coos Bay, OR
11.2023 - 06.2026
- Falling into what I knew, I worked at the (then Mill Casino) during the time in between my fire seasons with CFPA. I continued to polish up my culinary skills and I can say working there gave me thicker skin and a greater appreciation for grace and kindness shown. I worked with a wide variety of people and during my stay here I experienced some hard times due to my personal life. The understanding and grace my bosses showed me during this time was not lost on me. I can say I gained more patience and empathy for others, because I was shown it during one of the hardest parts of my life. I won’t forget the personal lessons I learned while working here and I’m grateful to have met so many unique and amazing people.
- Ko-kwel Casino (Warehouse 101 & Banquets team) Coos Bay, OR
- (this was my off-season job in between CFPA) (541) 756-8800
Wildland Firefighter
Coos Forest Protective Association
Reedsport, OR
06.2024 - 10.2025
- I joined up with them because they offered a regular 40 hour week and they had a station five minutes away from where I lived. It was a blast working with everyone there, many of them were also volunteers down at the local structural fire department too. There I worked on the suppression crew, usually riding on the type 6 rigs or occasionally our type 4 to deal with any fires that popped up in our district. I further polished my skills as a wildland firefighter and got more comfortable operating radios and larger vehicles. I became more comfortable with maps and navigation. This crew also helped get me out of my shell and I’ve become less shy and more excited to work with people. Admittedly the work was way less intense than my time spent on the contract handcrew but I still learned a lot of skills and gained more certifications.
- CFPA is a private wildland protection association funded mostly by the landowners of the county to protect property and product of the many landowners in the county.
- June-Sep/Oct 2024 & 2025 (two fire seasons) (541) 267-3161
Wildland Firefighter
Dust Busters Plus LLC
Eugene, OR
07.2022 - 09.2023
- I've worked with them for two fire seasons now. The company stood out to me for their focus on safety and discipline I worked as handcrew member, a driver, and a sawyer/swamper. The work is tough and long, but I enjoy being physically active in the outdoors. You could be brushing hillsides, digging line, then holding said line from a fire all in the same day. The job itself is also vital for the protection of communities and people, so I get an extra sense of pride from doing it.
- Dust Busters Plus is a handcrew company based out of Eugene, Oregon.
- 541-203-6042
Mill Production
Roseburg Forest Products
Coquille, OR
11.2022 - 07.2023
- After my first fire season I worked at the Coquille plywood mill. I was interested in more hands-on work than the service industry and something that would move me closer to working in forestry. I worked on the layup line during the night shift. The work there taught me patience and precision. I became familiar with Roseburg Forest Products' policies and values: Safe to the Core, Sawdust in the Veins, Handshake Integrity, and Driven to Win.
Cashier/Customer Service
Safeway
Reedsport, OR
09.2021 - 06.2022
- I worked as a checkout clerk at Safeway after moving to Winchester Bay. There I gained better customer service skills and experience working in a grocery store. I enjoyed working with my co-workers, who kept things lively and myself motivated. I liked working there due to the fact Reedsport is a small town, and so you build connections with customers you see on a daily to semi daily basis.
Willamette Grill & Radar Bar Cook
Tailwind Concessions
Eugene, OR
08.2019 - 03.2020
- I got hired at the Willamette Grill & Radar Bar at the airport in Eugene. I found the job refreshing as it came with far less drama than my previous job. Here I honed my skills as line cook and developed my organizational skills. Speed and precareion is required dealing with a lunch rush for people about to hop on a flight. I really loved my job here, but unfortunately corona virus forced the restaurant to lay off 90% of its workforce.
Cook
Buffalo Wild Wings
Eugene, OR
08.2018 - 08.2019
- I worked at Buffalo Wild Wings as a cook. The work was similar to my experience at Gordon Biersch, only simpler. I've worked every position in the kitchen and gained some leadership experience from training new cooks. Another thing I got better at surprisingly is dealing with people. Many of the cooks didn't get along with each other; so I played the mediator often because I didn't like working in that kind of charged/angry environment and because I didn't want folks walking out and leaving me with more work. While the job was solid, it wasn't paying enough for the drama and work required, so once I had the chance I left and was hired at the Willamette Grill.
Prep Cook/Dishwasher /Line cook
Gordon Biersch
San Jose, CA
09.2017 - 05.2018
- I began work at Gordon Beirsch as a prep cook and made their sauces and salads. I got used to working fast and smooth as it was a downtown restaurant in San Jose. As the need for prep cooks decreased and the drastic need for dishwashers increased I was transferred to the dish pit. There I learned just how key organization is in work, no matter what kind of work you're doing. During my last 3-4 weeks of work there (I had given them notice in advance that I was moving) they trained me on the line as a fry cook. I did rather well and enjoyed the fast paced work of as line cook.
Education
High School Diploma -
Live Oak High School
Morgan Hill, CA06-2012
Skills
- Firefighting activities
- Physical fitness
- Attention to detail
- Cleaning and organization
- Active listener
- Communication
- Team Player
- Chainsaw operation
- EMT Skills
- Cooking
Certification
- EMT - Certified Emergency Medical Technician
- ICS Certifications -100.c 200.c 700.b 800.d
- BLS Certified
- Various Wildland Certifications
- Most skills from FF1 Checked off
Timeline
Wildland Firefighter
Coos Forest Protective Association
06.2024 - 10.2025
Line Cook
Ko-Kwel Casino
11.2023 - 06.2026
Volunteer Firefighter
Reedsport Volunteer Firefighter
01.2023 - Current
Mill Production
Roseburg Forest Products
11.2022 - 07.2023
Wildland Firefighter
Dust Busters Plus LLC
07.2022 - 09.2023
Cashier/Customer Service
Safeway
09.2021 - 06.2022
Willamette Grill & Radar Bar Cook
Tailwind Concessions
08.2019 - 03.2020
Cook
Buffalo Wild Wings
08.2018 - 08.2019
Prep Cook/Dishwasher /Line cook
Gordon Biersch
09.2017 - 05.2018
High School Diploma -
Live Oak High School