Chantal Lopez
Chico,CA
Summary
Seasoned firefighter with experience responding to wildfires, structure protection needs, and multi-agency emergencies. Strong in crew leadership, attention to detail, and rapid decision-making under pressure. Proven ability to coordinate tasks, maintain equipment readiness, and support safe, effective operations. Experienced in fast-paced environments and adaptable to last-minute changes. Thrives under pressure and consistently earns high marks for work quality and speed. I am seeking new opportunities to enhance my career with Cal-Fire. In order to become a well-rounded Firefighter in all aspects of this career. My eagerness to learn new subjects and pathways has developed my strong work ethic. I would love the opportunity to show you what I can bring to the table and the asset I can be.
Overview
1
1
Certification
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Firefighter 1
Cal-Fire Grasshoper fire station
Susanville, California
03.2026 - Current
- Responded to wildland fires and emergency incidents in CAL FIRE Grasshopper fire station response area.
- Assisted with structure protection and perimeter defense during wildfire response.
- Trained continuously to maintain required physical fitness for demanding work.
- Extinguish fires using water hoses, chemical extinguishers, smoke ejectors, and other tools.
- Collaborated with other emergency personnel when responding to accident scenes or acute illness calls that required emergency medical care.
- Coordinated with other first responders during multi-agency responses.
- Analyzed situations to quickly adopt courses of action with regard to surroundings and circumstances.
- Checked hoses and breathing masks after fire calls to determine proper functionality.
- Operated fire engines, hoses, and hand tools during suppression duties.
- Laid hose lines and operated nozzles, pumps, hydrants, and fire extinguishers.
- Performed fire line construction and brush clearing in active incident areas.
- Supported structure protection and perimeter defense efforts during wildfire response, enhancing safety of affected properties.
- Responded immediately to alarms for fires, vehicle accidents, and other emergency situations.
- Assisted in responding to emergency calls and assessed situations.
- Provided emergency treatment and medical care to injured individuals in accidents and fires, ensuring timely assistance.
- Collaborated with first responders during multi-agency responses, improving coordination and effectiveness in emergency situations.
- Maintained firefighting equipment, including hoses and ladders, on a daily basis.
- Conducted equipment checks and maintained protective gear after station assignments.
- Completed training drills, safety briefings, and station readiness tasks.
- Participated in training drills and exercises to maintain proficiency in fire suppression tactics.
- Engaged in ongoing training to enhance firefighting skills and maintain required physical fitness for demanding work.
- Cleaned, serviced, and maintained fire apparatus in a condition of readiness and performed general maintenance of fire department property.
- Communicated updates with crew members and incident supervisors.
- Communicated effectively with crew members while performing tasks under stressful conditions.
- Inspected vehicles for proper operation prior to use on emergency calls.
- Participated in fire and life safety inspections of commercial and residential properties and checked the operating condition of hydrants.
- Attended training to maintain a wealth of knowledge in firefighting techniques and suppression methods, enabling quick decision making during actual emergencies.
- Observed strict safety protocols to maintain personal and coworker safety.
- Established and managed water supplies to support suppression activities.
- Patrolled previously burned areas after fire containment to locate and eliminate dangerous hot spots.
- Rehabilitated fire hoses, portable water tanks and other equipment.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Collaborated closely with team members to achieve project objectives and meet deadlines.
- Worked with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
- Maintained updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
- Worked on multiple paperwork such as EPCRS, FC-33, First due, and IIPP 7S
- Input my schedule on E-Pay and update my overtime
- Set up SDS sheets for annual audits
- Update standard operating procedures
- Swept, mopped, and vacuumed common areas.
- Followed safety rules while handling chemicals and cleaning tools.
- Serviced, cleaned and restocked restrooms.
Wildland Firefighter
Table mountain Fire center
Oroville, California
06.2023 - 12.2025
- Built handlines and fuel breaks during active wildfire suppression operations.
- Operated chainsaws, pumps, and hoses for brush clearing and fire control.
- Conducted mop-up duties around hotspots and smoldering debris.
- Provided fire suppression and containment for wildland fires using hand tools, pumps, hoses and other equipment.
- Built containment lines around the perimeter of an active wildfire using shovels, Pulaskis and chainsaws.
- Assisted in training new firefighters on proper use of safety gear and techniques for containing wildfires.
- Instructed new firefighters on safety procedures and equipment use. new wildland firefighters in tactics, safety, and equipment use.
- Assisted in hazardous fuels reduction projects such as cutting brush, felling trees and chipping debris.
- Participated in rigorous physical training to maintain high levels of fitness and readiness.
- Communicated fire conditions and route changes with incident crews and supervisors.
- Coordinated incident response activities with federal and state agencies to enhance collaborative firefighting efforts.
- Stayed in close contact with dispatchers to obtain and relay current information about fire status, supplies and personnel.
- Executed safety protocols to minimize risks to crew members during fire suppression activities.
- Maintained and repaired firefighting equipment and tools to ensure operational readiness.
- Monitored weather, terrain, and fuel conditions for fire behavior changes.
- Utilized GPS systems to map out areas burned by wildfires and create accurate records of fire perimeters.
- Participated in wildfire risk assessments and mitigation planning efforts.
- Led and planned periodic fire safety inspections to identify unsafe conditions.
- Established and managed water supplies to support suppression activities.
- Responded quickly and effectively to emergency situations while adhering to safety protocols.
- Assessed terrain features such as slopes, wind direction and vegetation types when responding to a wildfire.
- Conducted mop-up operations to extinguish remaining hot spots and reduce the risk of further spread.
- Participated in post-incident reviews following successful completion of a wildfire assignment.
- Contributed to post-incident reviews to identify lessons learned and improve future wildfire response strategies.
- Communicated regularly with Incident Command System personnel via radio transmissions about progress made in containing a fire.
- Completed field assessments of active fires and planned optimal approaches.
- Assisted prescribed burn preparation, ignition support, and site cleanup tasks.
- Supported prescribed burn preparation and ignition, ensuring safe and effective site cleanup.
- Monitored weather conditions to determine potential impacts on fire behavior.
- Performed backfire operations to contain advancing fires by burning fuel ahead of them.
- Coordinated with both federal and state agencies during incident response activities.
- Monitored weather conditions to determine potential impacts on fire behavior.
- Provided fire suppression and containment for wildland fires using hand tools, pumps, hoses and other equipment.
- Assisted prescribed burn preparation, ignition support, and site cleanup tasks.
- Conducted mop-up operations to extinguish remaining hot spots and reduce the risk of further spread.
- Repaired damaged structures with appropriate materials including wood and metal components.
- Assisted electrical, plumbing and carpentry teams by completing basic and semi-skilled work.
- Loaded, unloaded, and organized building materials for active work areas.
- Operated hand tools and power tools for daily construction tasks.
- Contributed to design and construction of projects.
Conservation Corps Member
California Conservation Corps
Auburn, California
05.2021 - 04.2023
- Supported California Conservation Corps trail maintenance and habitat restoration crews
- Cleared brush and debris from fire breaks along state conservation sites
- Built and repaired trails, fences, and erosion control structures
- Contributed to trail maintenance by clearing brush, building structures, and installing signs for enhanced public access.
- Loaded, transported, and organized supplies for remote work assignments
- Followed safety procedures during chainsaw, vehicle, and field operations
- Operated chainsaws for tree felling, limbing, and bucking on work sites.
- Inspected chainsaws, bars, and chains before each shift for safe use.
- Engaged in training sessions focused on safety protocols and conservation technologies.
- Provided training and guidance to new workers on how to safely operate and maintain the chipper machine.
- Operated chipper equipment to process wood waste and debris.
- Loaded branches and material into chipper feed systems.
- Operated chipper machine to chip wood into small pieces for composting and mulching.
- Maintained cleanliness of work area, including sweeping debris from around the chipper machine and disposing of waste properly.
- Communicated crew updates and coordinated tasks with supervisors and teammates
- Participated in regular team meetings to discuss upcoming work assignments or review completed tasks.
- Conducted daily safety inspections, identified potential hazards and reported any issues to management.
- Executed routine job responsibilities accurately and efficiently.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Removed undesirable or diseased trees with hand and power saws.
- Responded to personal emergencies in remote locations and area disasters such as forest fires with skill, speed and terrain knowledge.
- Monitored threatened or endangered species populations through observation and tracking methods.
- Supported development of educational materials on local ecosystems and conservation efforts to raise community awareness.
- Restored areas for safe public use and created detailed guidelines to promote responsible visitor engagement.
- Built relationships with local partners working toward similar goals in resource protection.
- Inspected chainsaws, bars, and chains before each shift for safe use.
- Cleaned, fueled, and stored saws after work to support daily readiness.
- Created effective schedules for crew members to maximize efficiency.
- Conducted daily crew meetings to review progress and discuss upcoming tasks.
- Completed minor adjustments and repairs to assigned equipment.
- Performed demanding physical work over extended periods and modeled a positive attitude.
- Operated equipment with strong focus on safety and ground communication.
- Controlled traffic passing near, in or around work zones.
Education
High School Diploma -
Grizzly Challenge Charter School
San Luis Obispo, CA12-2018
Some College (No Degree) - Pre-Apprenticeship
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CASkills
- Problem solving
- Team coordination
- Radio communication proficiency
- Map reading and navigation
- Crew Leadership
- Fluent in Spanish
- Computer knowledge of Microsoft and industry-related software
Certification
- S-130
- L-180
- FEMA IS-1700
IS-800 - HAZMAT FRO AND FRA
- Water Rescue Awareness
- Driver Operator 1A
- Firefighter Structure 1A
- Firefighter Hazardous Materials/WMD 1B
- Rapid Intervention Crew
- IFSAC PRO BOARD
- PSFA AND CPR/AED
REFERENCES
- Andy Zuckerman Cal-Fire Captain (Valley view)
(530) 520-9129
- Nick Del-Chiaro Cal-Fire Captain (Table Mountain)
(707) 321-8677
- Antonio Trapozzanio Cal-Fire Captain (Table Mountain)
(530)921-2446
- Andrew Logan Cal-Fire Captain ( Magalia Center)
(530)513-2187
- Kyle Wisdom Cal-Fire Captain (Placer Center)
(530) 588-6750
- Travis Needler Cal-Fire Captain (Grasshopper Station)
(707) 225-5731
- Zachary Zerkovich Cal-Fire Captain (Grasshopper Station)
(530) 339-6667
- Richard Mercadel Cal-Fire Engineer (Grasshopper Station)
(916) 337-5029
Timeline
Firefighter 1
Cal-Fire Grasshoper fire station
03.2026 - Current
Wildland Firefighter
Table mountain Fire center
06.2023 - 12.2025
Conservation Corps Member
California Conservation Corps
05.2021 - 04.2023
High School Diploma -
Grizzly Challenge Charter School
Some College (No Degree) - Pre-Apprenticeship
Long Beach City College