Blaine Kruger

Lieutenant - Engine 3

August 2019 - January 2024

• Supervised emergency response operations, ensuring safety and efficiency during all types of incident response.
• Cultivated a culture of continuous improvement through ongoing professional development opportunities for firefighters under my supervision.
• Coordinated training programs for cadets and probationary firefighters, enhancing skills and knowledge in firefighting techniques.
• Oversaw proper implementation of best practices, inside and outside of standard operating guidelines to successfully meet regulations and operational needs of the City.
• Conducted fire inspections and assessments, identifying hazards and recommending mitigation strategies to ensure community safety.
• Developed comprehensive pre-incident planning documents to facilitate efficient responses in high-risk environments.

Lieutenant - Fire Prevention Division, Special Events Section

May 2018 - August 2019

• Assigned to Special Events, responsible for fire code application and event permitting in the entire City of Austin. Events ranged from recreational fires at a small party to large events like ACL, SXSW. Responsible for all pyrotechnic permitting in the City.

Fire Specialist/Driver - Engine 1 and Ladder 1

January 2013 - May 2018

• Responsible for the safe and efficient operation of large fire apparatus in the downtown and central Austin area.
• Mentored younger firefighters, focusing on professionalism, operational readiness, and knowledge through experience and training.

Firefighter - Engine 3, Engine 2, Engine 4

October 1999 - January 2013

• Responsible for fire suppression, patient care on medical and trauma incidents. Worked to mitigate hazards and achieve postive outcomes on all incidents. Community involvement through public education events and inspections. Mastery of response territory.