BRIAN K. COMBS
LOS MOLINOS,USA
Summary
Accomplished wildland firefighter, with extensive fireline experience, operational knowledge and a broad background in personnel management. Personable with innate mentoring and relationship-building qualities. Energetic, goal-focused, and willing to take on challenges and responsibility.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Fire Managment Officer- Fuels
Mendocino National Forest; USDA
01.2022 - Current
- Serve as a Fuel Specialist
- Prepare, review, and evaluate fuels and fire management plans and prescriptions to achieve ecosystem and resource management objectives
- Coordinate the development and completion of Forest Service contracts
- Coordinate and administer the district/zone fuels management program, annual and out-year budget, and program of work to assure balance in funding, and recommend changes to supervisor as appropriate
- Supervise and develop District Fuels Technicians.
- Lead Equipment operators on the day to day tasks.
- Monitor the expenditure of funds to assure fiscal integrity and correct application of financial standards
- Develop and implement grants and agreements
- Identify and evaluate the implications of the fuel's management program on air quality standards and provide operational guidance to mitigate potential impacts from smoke to sensitive areas
- Review and evaluate fuels treatments for effectiveness and make recommendations for improvements
- Assist with developing local and state smoke management plans to ensure compliance is met with state air resources standards
- Responsible for collecting information using field surveys, and computer modeling to determine effectiveness of fuels treatments
- Implement and administer prescribed fire activities, wildland fire use, and fuels management activities to achieve management objectives
- Mentored junior staff members, helping them develop their skills and advance in their careers.
- Coordinate the development and implementation of fuels management plans to identify hazardous fuels to prioritize prescribed fire and fuels treatments
- Maintained strict adherence to industry regulations, minimizing risk exposure for the organization.
- Ensures safety/welfare is the number one priority in all aspects of project implementation
- Established effective relationships with key stakeholders both internally and externally for increased collaboration opportunities.
- Serve as District Duty Officer
- Coordinated operations with other emergency service groups.
- Managed departmental budgets effectively, ensuring optimal allocation of resources for necessary equipment and training.
ENGINE CAPTAIN
Mendocino National Forest; USDA
10.2003 - Current
- Serve as a Fire Engine Captain during pre-suppression, suppression and prescribed fire situations (in initial, extended and wildland/urban interface attack situations)
- Additional responsibilities include: recruitment, overseeing project and crew assignments, supervising fire instruction courses, health and safety training, personnel evaluation and management, and fire line supervision to a 10 person module
- Provide logistical, and administrative supervision to the engine and water tender personnel
- Maintain Facilities- Office, Barracks and historic fire station
- North Zone Engine Academy Cadre Member (Coach) 2004 - assisted in teaching field exercises and performances based skills to engine crew members and leaders
- Cadre Leader for L-280 Followership to Leadership course taught at the Wildland Fire Apprentice Academy 2011
- Coordinate Forest Hazmat First Responder refresher and Live Fire Exercise 2004-2008
- Lead Instructor for basic Fire line Courses
- CPR and First Aid Instructor 2008-2018
- Medical Proctor for EMT courses
- Assign and prioritize work to fire resources, developing expectations, standards and schedules for work completed
- Develop employee performance evaluations, resolve minor complaints and refer serious complaints and grievances to appropriate level supervisors in personnel management
- Ensures Job Hazard Analysis' and safety standards are completed and followed
- Performs as a District Duty officer when needed
FIRE ENGINE OPERATOR
Mendocino National Forest; USDA
02.2003 - 10.2003
- Functioned as Fire Engine Operator, performing duties including, suppression activities, creating or modifying a work schedule, determining work assignments, documenting, submitting time and attendance, properly seek medical assistance for injured employees and fulfilling administrative tasks
- Provided training, safety, instruction, and leadership for crew members
- Drove and operated fire engine in a safe and efficient manner, including Code 3 driving and performing complex maneuvers on steep, narrow, mountainous roads
- Ensured engine was adequately outfitted with the required equipment and supplies
- Drove and instructed others to drive fire engines in a variety of conditions such as, unimproved roads and over long distances
- Also operated other four-wheel drive vehicles
- Operated pumping equipment on engines by positioning engine for optimum pumping capability and safety
- Instructed and led others in the safe and efficient construction of complex hoselays and handline
- Directed crew members to perform mop-up in extreme conditions such as, initial attack, steep terrain, high heat and smoke concentrations, and multi-shift assignments
- Performed duties as Incident Commander while adhering to strict safety protocol
- Worked in conjunction with other agency's resources in a safe and efficient manner
- Routinely performed as lookout and made decisions regarding line placement, structure defense and burnout operations
- Proficiently gathered and considered information on weather data, topography, range/forest types, fuel types, and fire behavior when responding to fire assignments/incidents
- Maintained specialized equipment used to respond to wildland and prescribed fire situations - accomplished emergency repairs and/or troubleshooting techniques as necessary
- Skilled at planning and implementing field projects including: setting priorities, identifying objectives, coordinating resources, obtaining vehicles, supplies and equipment
- Conduct onsite training (for work ranging from thinning projects to road and building repair)
ASSISTANT FIRE ENGINE OPERATOR
Mendocino National Forest; USDA
05.2002 - 10.2002
- Demonstrated ability to perform as an engine boss
- Intermittently supervised 4 firefighters during the all complexities of wildland fire suppression efforts, pre-suppression activities and day-to-day activities
- Functioned as an Incident Commander 5 (ICT5) on fires
- Competent at running complex water handling/delivery operations, including: pump operations, hydraulics and delivery of water through hoselays
- Performed project work and led others in the same activities, including: building maintenance duties, resources management projects, hazard tree removal and disposal, etc
- Proficient at adapting to the dynamic nature of wildland fire in so far as to change planned strategies and tactics according to topography, fuels, predicted/actual weather and fire behavior changes, and resource availability/limitations
- Able to identify and relocate firelines, escape routes and safety zones accordingly
- Performed all aspects of wildland fire and prescribed fire operations including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding and mop-up
- Working knowledge of fire behavior, hazards, and safety practices and procedures
RANGE TECHNICIAN
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
05.2001 - 11.2001
RANGE TECHNICIAN
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
05.2000 - 11.2000
- Performed duties under stressful and adverse operating conditions such as long work hours, heavy workloads, adverse working and environmental situations, etc
- Maintained specialized equipment used to respond to wildland and prescribed fire situations - accomplished emergency repairs and/or troubleshooting techniques as necessary (i.e
- Chainsaws, pumps & accessories)
- Operated wheeled equipment in the construction of fire control breaks
- Conducted tailgate safety meetings and de-briefings, including AARs
- Actively participated in all radio communications using complex communication hardware including multichannel two way radios with numerous programmable frequencies
- Skilled at water handling, including: simple and progressive hoselays, running attacks, and pump operations
TRACTOR OPERATOR
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
08.1997 - 08.1999
- Proficiently operated and maintained Tractors with many attachments including rotary mowers, flail mowers, discs, scrapers and augers; Backhoes, Forklifts, Dozers and excavators
- Performed Maintenance on buildings and assisted with construction of new buildings
- Assisted with maintaining and control a complex water delivery system
- Insured all equipment was kept in constant state of repair
Education
High School Diploma -
Live Oak High School
Live Oak, CA06-1991
Skills
- Work coordination
- Report preparation
- Cultural awareness
- Budgeting and finance
- Emergency response
- Team collaboration
- Risk assessment
- Attention to detail
- Organizational skills
- Team building
Certification
- CDL Class B with Tank and Air Brake Endorsement
- EMT
- Emergency Vehicle Operator
Awards
Extra Effort Award, 10/10/04, For outstanding performance in the Log Springs station enhancement and maintenance.
Timeline
Assistant Fire Managment Officer- Fuels
Mendocino National Forest; USDA
01.2022 - Current
ENGINE CAPTAIN
Mendocino National Forest; USDA
10.2003 - Current
FIRE ENGINE OPERATOR
Mendocino National Forest; USDA
02.2003 - 10.2003
ASSISTANT FIRE ENGINE OPERATOR
Mendocino National Forest; USDA
05.2002 - 10.2002
RANGE TECHNICIAN
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
05.2001 - 11.2001
RANGE TECHNICIAN
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
05.2000 - 11.2000
TRACTOR OPERATOR
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
08.1997 - 08.1999
- DIVS
- RXB2
- FIRB
- ENGB
- CRWB
- ICT4
- STEN
- TFLD
- CDL Class B with Tank and Air Brake Endorsement
- EMT 1
- CA Driver's license class B
- Emergency Vehicle Operator
High School Diploma -
Live Oak High School
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