Darren Gould
Kathleen,GA
Summary
Valued and versatile 21-year United States Air Force veteran offering courteous experience and comprehensive knowledge in collaborating with emergency personnel to coordinate disaster response and crisis management activities during adverse occasions such as natural or manmade disasters. Dynamic individual with hands-on experience in emergency management and talent for navigating challenges. Brings strong problem-solving skills and proactive approach to new tasks and team building. Known for adaptability, creativity, and results-oriented mindset. Committed to making meaningful contributions and advancing organizational goals.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Fire Protection Specialist
Georgia Power Company
02.2024 - Current
- Directed comprehensive Fire Protection Program for largest coal-fired thermoelectric power plant in North America.
- Enforced rigorous fire safety protocols and implemented proactive risk mitigation strategies across 13,700-acre plant site.
- Conducted fire and life safety code reviews, informing business leadership of identified risks and rectifying deficiencies to protect 368 personnel and $6.8 billion in power-generating assets.
- Managed Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Fire Protection Team of 42 members; led fire suppression training and supervised routine inspections, testing, and maintenance.
- Collaborated with external contractors to repair and replace defective fire safety equipment, including sprinkler systems, fire hydrants, post indicator valves, fire pumps, and fire extinguishers.
Installation Fire Chief | Deputy Fire Chief
US Air Force
03.2021 - 04.2024
- Developed and implemented standardized operating procedures, increasing emergency response efficiency by 30% and enhancing preparedness for aircraft accidents and hazardous material situations within diverse operational environment.
- Directed Fire & Emergency Services agency supporting Fire Marshal with senior officer responsibilities, including high-level staff meetings with Army, Air Force, Defense Contract Management Agency, Prime Contractor, and various other agencies.
- Led team of 71 military and civilian personnel through complex rescue missions involving structural fires, medical emergencies, and weapons of mass destruction scenarios, while boosting mission readiness through continuous training programs.
- Partnered with military leadership in over 15 high-stakes staff meetings to drive policy improvements, enhancing emergency response efficiency while upholding compliance standards necessary for wartime missions.
Deputy Fire Chief | Operations Superintendent
US Air Force
03.2017 - 03.2021
- Led largest Fire & Emergency Services unit within Air Force Special Operations Command, overseeing 56 military & civilian firefighters, 2 fire stations, and $5.2 million in emergency response equipment. Safeguarded 6,634 acres, which included Command Headquarters, 4 wings, $7.8 million in assigned aircraft, and 1,180 facilities valued at $4.3 billion, occupied by 24,945 personnel.
- Supervised daily shift operations, managed 31 flight programs, and staffed 21 fire suppression personnel across 16 fire & emergency response vehicles.
- Directed on-scene multi-agency operations to safely mitigate all incidents, safeguarding Air Force’s 4th largest and most deployed wing.
- Maintained high standards through positive leadership, managed daily operations of each section, and mentored & motivated personnel to advance their professional development.
Installation Fire Chief
US Air Force
02.2019 - 08.2019
- Steered team of 32 firefighters, utilizing $2.7 million in firefighting equipment to safeguard 31,206 hours of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat strike operations across three combatant commands.
- Oversaw installation fire protection program, ensuring safety of 568 joint coalition force personnel and $836 million in military assets at Africa's largest airfield. Supported 24/7 remotely piloted aircraft operations, contributing to elimination of high-level Islamic State leader in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
- Acted as on-scene commander for emergency response forces during armed MQ-9 aircraft crash response and recovery operations.
- Established strategic partnership with international fire agency by collaborating with French Fire Chief to develop aircraft rescue training for U.S. firefighters, enhancing allied support for Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa missions.
Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention | Assistant Chief of Operations
US Air Force
02.2013 - 03.2017
- Supervised team of 4 Fire Inspectors in managing Fire Prevention Program, ensuring protection of 11,843 personnel, 65 assigned aircraft, and missions of both U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy.
- Conducted exclusive Department of Defense fire inspections and plan reviews for construction projects in northern Japan, rigorously enforcing fire code compliance to safeguard $4 billion in United States Forces Japan assets.
- Led inspection of sole United States Army Ballistic Missile System site, addressing 6 violations to ensure safe operation of advanced missile detection for United States Pacific Command.
- Established performance standards for employees with their input, communicated performance requirements, and provided individual feedback on their progress in meeting these standards.
Fire Protection Training Manager | Company Officer
US Air Force
10.2002 - 02.2013
- Oversaw deployment and readiness requirements for 61 military firefighters, assessing 220 recurring training objectives over 1,200 hours for 72 personnel.
- Provided exceptional fire protection for 13,407 personnel, 8.1 million square feet of infrastructure, and 18,450 acres of Front Range Forest Land.
- Introduced comprehensive incident management system that optimized decision-making processes during fire ground operations, cutting response planning time by 40% and improving team situational awareness.
- Directed crew of 4 firefighters in fire suppression, rescuing endangered personnel, and managing hazardous material incidents.
Education
Master of Science - Emergency Services Management
Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, AL09.2016
Bachelor of Science - Fire Science
Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, AL02.2012
Associate of Applied Science - Fire Science
Community College of The Air Force
Maxwell AFB, AL06.2011
WMGT 570: Civil Engineer Superintendent Course -
US Air Force Institute of Technology
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH12.2022
WMGT 427: Fire & Emergency Services Flight Superintendent Course -
US Air Force Institute of Technology
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH12.2019
Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II (Correspondence) - Organizational Leadership
US Air Force Noncommissioned Officer Academy
Distance Learning10.2018
Enlisted Professional Military Education (2nd Level) -
US Air Force Noncommissioned Officer Academy
Okinawa, Japan07.2015
Enlisted Professional Military Education (1st Level) -
US Air Force Airman Leadership School
Moody AFB, GA10.2007
Fire Protection Apprentice Course -
Louis F. Garland Fire Academy
Goodfellow AFB, TX10.2002
Skills
- Leadership & Professional Development
- Policy & Program Compliance
- Strategic Planning & Execution
- Total Disaster Management
- Budget Administration
- Risk Management
- Communication & Problem-Solving
- Accountability & Teamwork
- Fire & Emergency Services-Information Management System (FES-IMS)
- Automated Time Attendance & Production System (ATAAPS)
- Microsoft Office Suite & SharePoint End User
- US Bank Corporate Payment Systems & Defense Travel System (DTS)
- Defense Performance Management & Appraisal Program (DPMAP)
Certification
- Fire Officer IV
- Fire Inspector III
- Fire Instructor III
- Fire Department Incident Safety Officer
- Fire Department Health & Safety Officer
- Hazardous Materials Incident Commander
- Fire Investigator I
- Fire & Life Safety Educator
- Rescue Technician II
- Wildland Firefighter I
- Public Telecommunicator II
- Aircraft Fire Training Facility
- Emergency Response to Terrorism
- Driver/Operator (ARFF, Pumper, MWS, Aerial)
- Airport Firefighter
- Firefighter II
- Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800
- NREMT (2005-Present), Expiration: March 2026
Organizational Affiliations
- Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) - Credentialed Chief Fire Officer (CFO)
- Institution of Fire Engineers (MIFireE)
- National Society of Leadership & Success (NSLS)
- National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT)
- Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA)
- The American Legion (NC-Post 358)
- Georgia Power - Military Veterans in Power (MVP)
- Citizens of Georgia Power
- Vice President, Eielson AFB Events Council
Job Related Training
- NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems Course
- Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE), Quality Improvement for Fire & Emergency Services
- Civilian Personnel Management Course
- Air Force Risk Management Fundamentals
- Supervisor Safety Training
- Air Force Munitions Firefighting Course
- Air Force Emergency Management Course
- Air Force Inspection System
- Environmental Management Systems
- Air Force Emergency Response Operations (AERO): Emergency Responders Course
- NFPA 101, Life Safety Code Course
- Building Construction Plans Review
- Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II
- NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code Course
- Fire Protection Specialist Training
- Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Loss Control & Fire Protection Training
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Level I Training
Awards
- Meritorious Service Medal (Eielson AFB, Alaska), 2023
- AF Achievement Medal (Birch Lake Troop Training Project), 06/2022
- Eielson AFB F&ES Military Sr Fire Officer of the Year, 2021
- 354 CES SNCO of the Quarter, 07-09/2021
- Meritorious Service Medal (Hurlburt Field, Florida), 2021
- AFSOC Fire Department of the Year (Hurlburt Field, Florida), 2020
- 1 SOW GEICO Military Service Award (Fire Safety & Prevention), 2020
- Hurlburt Field F&ES Military Sr Fire Officer of the Year, 2020
- Hurlburt Field F&ES Military Sr Fire Officer of the Year, 2019
- Meritorious Service Medal (Chabelley Airfield, Djibouti, Africa), 2019
- 870 AES Team of the Month (Installation Fire Chief), 06/2019
- AFSOC Fire Department of the Year (Hurlburt Field, Florida), 2018
- AFSOC Military Fire Officer of the Year, 2018
- AFSOC Fire Department of the Year (Hurlburt Field, Florida), 2017
- Hurlburt Field F&ES Military Fire Officer of the Year, 2017
- Air Force Commendation Medal (Misawa AB, Japan), 2017
- PACAF Fire Prevention Program of the Year (Misawa AB, Japan), 2016
- 35 CES NCO of the Year, 2016
- 35 CES NCO of the Quarter, 10-12/2016
- 5 AF GEICO Military Service Award (Fire Safety & Prevention), 2016
- AF Achievement Medal (Al Udeid AB, Qatar), 2014
- Misawa AB F&ES Military Fire Officer of the Year, 2014
- 35 CES NCO of the Quarter, 07-09/2014
- AF Commendation Medal (Moody AFB, Georgia), 2013
- 35 CES NCO of the Quarter, 07-09/2013
- ACC Inspector General Superior Performance Award, 2012
- 23 CES NCO of the Quarter, 01-03/2012
- AF Achievement Medal (Al Udeid AB, Qatar), 2011
- 379 ECES Workhorse of the Month, 07/2011
- AF Achievement Medal (Al Dhafra AB, United Arab Emirates), 2010
- ACC Inspector General Outstanding Performance Award, 2010
- 23 CES NCO of the Quarter, 01-03/2009
- AF Achievement Medal (Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan), 2008
- AF Achievement Medal (Moody AFB, Georgia), 2007
- Moody AFB F&ES Military Firefighter of the Year, 2006
- 23d Wing Chief’s Group Sharp Troop Award, 2006
- Moody AFB Outstanding Volunteer Award, 2006
- 23 CES Sharp Troop Award (x2), 2006
- Moody AFB F&ES Military Firefighter of the Quarter, 07-09/2005
- AF Achievement Medal (King Faisal AB, Jordan & Baghdad IAP, Iraq), 2003
- 347 CES Sharp Troop Award (x2), 2003
References
- Christopher M. Higgins, Lt Col, USAF, Commander, Pentagon, Washington, DC, (919) 802-3443, christopher.higgins.2@us.af.mil
- Patrick J. Wilcox, GS-13, (CMSgt Ret), DON, Supervisory Fire Protection Specialist, Naval Shipyard, Norfolk, Virginia, (786) 431-7778, patrick.wilcox73@gmail.com
- Marc E. Hughes, GS-12, DAF, Fire Chief, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, (919) 802-3443, marc.hughes@us.af.mil
- Bryan D. Clements, GS-12, DAF, Fire Chief, Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana, (907) 378-0855, bryan.clements.1@us.af.mil
- Robert J. Laning, CMSgt, USAF, Chief, DoD Fire Academy, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, (325) 654-5363/(850) 758-8857, robert.laning@us.af.mil
Timeline
Senior Fire Protection Specialist
Georgia Power Company
02.2024 - Current
Installation Fire Chief | Deputy Fire Chief
US Air Force
03.2021 - 04.2024
Installation Fire Chief
US Air Force
02.2019 - 08.2019
Deputy Fire Chief | Operations Superintendent
US Air Force
03.2017 - 03.2021
Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention | Assistant Chief of Operations
US Air Force
02.2013 - 03.2017
Fire Protection Training Manager | Company Officer
US Air Force
10.2002 - 02.2013
Master of Science - Emergency Services Management
Columbia Southern University
Bachelor of Science - Fire Science
Columbia Southern University
Associate of Applied Science - Fire Science
Community College of The Air Force
WMGT 570: Civil Engineer Superintendent Course -
US Air Force Institute of Technology
WMGT 427: Fire & Emergency Services Flight Superintendent Course -
US Air Force Institute of Technology
Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II (Correspondence) - Organizational Leadership
US Air Force Noncommissioned Officer Academy
Enlisted Professional Military Education (2nd Level) -
US Air Force Noncommissioned Officer Academy
Enlisted Professional Military Education (1st Level) -
US Air Force Airman Leadership School
Fire Protection Apprentice Course -
Louis F. Garland Fire Academy
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