Brian Charnock
Snohomish,WA
Summary
Federal fire service leader with more than 18 years of municipal and Department of Defense Fire & Emergency Services experience, including over 13 years with Joint Base Lewis-McChord Fire & Emergency Services. Former GS-9 Station Captain with proven experience supervising personnel, directing station operations, evaluating employee performance, coordinating staffing and training, and maintaining emergency response readiness while supporting the Department of Defense mission.
Recognized for developing firefighters through mentorship, coaching, and performance management while fostering a culture of accountability, professionalism, and teamwork. Experienced in leading emergency operations, managing specialized department programs, delivering EMT continuing education, and building high-performing teams through operational leadership, sound decision-making, and a commitment to firefighter development.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Fire Lieutenant
Joint Base Lewis-McChord Fire & Emergency Services
01.2026 - Current
- Serve as the assigned company officer, providing daily leadership, operational direction, accountability, and supervision of assigned firefighters during emergency responses and station operations.
- Lead emergency operations involving structural firefighting, ARFF, EMS, hazardous materials, and technical rescue incidents.
- Manage the Fire & Emergency Services Foam Program, ensuring ARFF foam inventory, inspections, testing, maintenance, and operational readiness.
- Serve as an OTEP Instructor, developing and delivering EMT continuing education to maintain certification requirements and improve operational proficiency.
- Mentor newly assigned firefighters through probationary development, company training, daily coaching, and promotional preparation to build operational competence and future leaders.
- Coordinate company training, monitor mandatory training completion, and assist firefighters with career development, certification maintenance, and upgrade training.
- Promote a culture of professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and safety through daily leadership, mentoring, and performance feedback.
- Support station readiness by ensuring personnel, apparatus, equipment, and specialized resources remain prepared for emergency response.
- Coordinate with company officers and Battalion Chiefs during multi-company operations to ensure effective communication, resource management, and mission accomplishment.
- Ensure compliance with Department of Defense policies, NFPA standards, department operating procedures, and firefighter safety requirements.
- Assist firefighters with department administrative requirements, training documentation, and operational readiness while maintaining accountability for assigned personnel and equipment.
- Evaluated team performance and implemented strategies to close gaps in skills or knowledge.
- Inspected stations, uniforms and vehicles regularly for signs of maintenance needs or general professionalism.
Fire Captain
Joint Base Lewis-McChord Fire and Emergency Services
12.2024 - 01.2026
- Supervised an eight-member firefighting crew while directing daily station operations and maintaining emergency response readiness.
- Managed daily staffing assignments by evaluating each firefighter's knowledge, certifications, experience, and skill sets to ensure balanced crews capable of safely and effectively accomplishing the mission.
- Identified performance gaps and developmental needs within assigned personnel, then worked directly with individual firefighters through coaching, mentoring, and targeted training to improve operational proficiency and build a stronger, more capable team.
- Served as the rating official, completing employee performance appraisals, Individual Development Plans (IDPs), counseling sessions, and performance documentation while mentoring firefighters in career development.
- Established performance expectations, coached employees, and fostered accountability through regular communication, mentoring, and timely performance feedback.
- Successfully onboarded and developed newly assigned firefighters by providing orientation, operational guidance, and mentorship to support successful integration into the department.
- Planned daily work assignments, coordinated staffing, leave, training, and operational priorities to ensure continuous mission readiness.
- Coordinated company and multi-station training, ensuring personnel maintained required certifications, completed mandatory training, and remained operationally prepared.
- Delivered EMT continuing education as an OTEP Instructor while mentoring firefighters in operational skills, certification maintenance, and promotional development.
- Managed administrative programs including ATAAPS, OPM-71, DD Form 2906, incident reports, training records, and personnel documentation while improving administrative accuracy and accountability.
- Improved station operations by reorganizing work areas, enhancing communication systems, improving vehicle maintenance tracking, and identifying facility deficiencies through established reporting channels, increasing station efficiency and morale.
- Performed Battalion Chief responsibilities during Battalion Chief absences, providing operational leadership, incident command support, and continuity of operations during emergency incidents.
- Managed station readiness by ensuring apparatus, PPE, specialized equipment, facilities, and personnel remained prepared to respond safely and effectively.
- Ensured compliance with Department of Defense policies, Army regulations, NFPA standards, and department operating procedures while promoting professionalism, accountability, and firefighter safety.
Fire Lieutenant
Joint Base Lewis-McChord Fire & Emergency Services
01.2024 - 12.2024
- Supervised an eight-member firefighting crew while directing daily station operations and maintaining emergency response readiness.
- Managed daily staffing assignments by evaluating each firefighter's knowledge, certifications, experience, and skill sets to ensure balanced crews capable of safely and effectively accomplishing the mission.
- Identified performance gaps and developmental needs within assigned personnel, then worked directly with individual firefighters through coaching, mentoring, and targeted training to improve operational proficiency and build a stronger, more capable team.
- Served as the rating official, completing employee performance appraisals, Individual Development Plans (IDPs), counseling sessions, and performance documentation while mentoring firefighters in career development.
- Established performance expectations, coached employees, and fostered accountability through regular communication, mentoring, and timely performance feedback.
- Successfully onboarded and developed newly assigned firefighters by providing orientation, operational guidance, and mentorship to support successful integration into the department.
- Planned daily work assignments, coordinated staffing, leave, training, and operational priorities to ensure continuous mission readiness.
- Coordinated company and multi-station training, ensuring personnel maintained required certifications, completed mandatory training, and remained operationally prepared.
- Delivered EMT continuing education as an OTEP Instructor while mentoring firefighters in operational skills, certification maintenance, and promotional development.
- Managed administrative programs including ATAAPS, OPM-71, DD Form 2906, incident reports, training records, and personnel documentation while improving administrative accuracy and accountability.
- Improved station operations by reorganizing work areas, enhancing communication systems, improving vehicle maintenance tracking, and identifying facility deficiencies through established reporting channels, increasing station efficiency and morale.
- Performed Battalion Chief responsibilities during Battalion Chief absences, providing operational leadership, incident command support, and continuity of operations during emergency incidents.
- Managed station readiness by ensuring apparatus, PPE, specialized equipment, facilities, and personnel remained prepared to respond safely and effectively.
- Ensured compliance with Department of Defense policies, Army regulations, NFPA standards, and department operating procedures while promoting professionalism, accountability, and firefighter safety.
Firefighter
Joint Base Lewis-McChord Fire and Emergency Services
04.2015 - 01.2024
- Responded to structural firefighting, ARFF, EMS, hazardous materials, and technical rescue incidents while supporting Department of Defense emergency response operations.
- Served as a senior firefighter by mentoring probationary and newly assigned personnel in emergency operations, station procedures, and daily expectations.
- Assisted company officers in coordinating training, maintaining operational readiness, and preparing personnel for emergency response.
- Promoted a culture of safety, accountability, and teamwork by leading through example and reinforcing department standards.
- Maintained readiness of apparatus, equipment, PPE, and specialized emergency response resources through routine inspections, testing, and maintenance.
- Assisted with company training, station projects, and operational improvements to enhance efficiency and mission readiness.
- Supported multi-company emergency operations by coordinating effectively with company officers and responding agencies during complex incidents.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Firefightering
Everett Community College
Everett, WA06.2010
Skills
- Policy enforcement
- Written communication
- Adaptability
- Continuous improvement
- Time management abilities
- Record keeping
- Staff training
- Public speaking
- Operational procedures
Timeline
Fire Lieutenant
Joint Base Lewis-McChord Fire & Emergency Services
01.2026 - Current
Fire Captain
Joint Base Lewis-McChord Fire and Emergency Services
12.2024 - 01.2026
Fire Lieutenant
Joint Base Lewis-McChord Fire & Emergency Services
01.2024 - 12.2024
Firefighter
Joint Base Lewis-McChord Fire and Emergency Services
04.2015 - 01.2024
Bachelor of Science - Firefightering
Everett Community College
First Responder Award — Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue (February 2025)
Recognized for lifesaving actions performed while off duty following a motorcycle collision. Assessed the patient's condition, maintained a patent airway, and provided critical care until emergency responders arrived. Emergency Department staff later advised that the immediate airway intervention was instrumental in the patient's survival.