David Hoke Smith
Newnan,GA
Summary
Retired Fire Captain for a major Metro-Atlanta Fire Department. I am well known for rule conformance and enforcement, impeccable integrity, and a very strong work ethic. My background includes strong leadership, comprehensive report preparation and subordinate documentation. I spent 6+ years as a member of the Training Staff as a Lieutenant and Captain. I am skilled in hazard identification, team mentorship, and unwavering customer service. I am very goal oriented and I have a relentless pursuit of being the best that I can be, regardless of the task.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Safety Manager
Pike Consulting Group
2025.03 - Current
- Conduct safety inspections to identify hazards and ensure compliance with OSHA regulations.
- Monitor job sites for adherence to safety protocols and best practices.
- Require subcontractors to follow safety rules, regulations and OSHA standards.
- Inspect job sites and complete in-depth reports outlining safety concerns and corrective recommendations.
Delivery Driver
A&B Sheet Metal
2023.08 - 2026.01
- Delivered products efficiently to various job sites ensuring timely arrivals.
- Operated delivery vehicles adhering to safety regulations and company policies.
- Maintained accurate delivery logs and documentation for record-keeping purposes.
- Coordinated with warehouse staff to streamline loading processes and optimize routes.
- Developed strong relationships with clients to improve service satisfaction and communication.
- Read maps, followed oral, and written instructions and used GPS technology to make deliveries.
- Operated vehicle safely in highly congested areas with no traffic violations.
- Maintained upbeat, positive attitude in busy, customer-focused environment.
- Loaded truck and properly secured items to prevent damage for deliveries.
- Verified accuracy of all deliveries against order forms.
- Maintained strong relationships with clients through proactive communication and personalized service.
- Ensured the safety of all goods transported by securing loads properly and following best practices for handling fragile items.
- Inspected and maintained delivery vehicles regularly to keep in safe working order.
- Kept meticulous records of deliveries, including invoices, delivery confirmations, and any other required documentation to ensure accurate tracking and billing processes.
- Strengthened company reputation through polite and friendly interactions with customers during deliveries.
- Identified mechanical issues, completed basic repairs and reported serious concerns to management.
Fire Captain
Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services
1996.09 - 2022.12
- Directed emergency response operations, ensuring optimal team coordination in high-pressure situations.
- Developed and implemented training programs for new firefighters, enhancing operational readiness and safety awareness.
- Led incident command during significant emergencies, optimizing resource allocation and strategic decision-making.
- Conducted regular safety inspections and equipment checks, maintaining compliance with fire safety regulations and standards.
- Mentored junior officers, fostering professional development through hands-on training and performance evaluations.
- Coordinated multi-agency drills, strengthening interdepartmental collaboration and preparedness for large-scale emergencies.
- Mentored new firefighters in developing essential skills and understanding departmental expectations for performance excellence.
- Developed and conducted regular training programs focused on improving firefighter safety and reinforcing established operational guidelines.
- Assisted in compiling and maintaining log books. Supported the generation of reports. Aided in organizing training records.
- Conducted periodic firefighter written performance evaluations and completed written recommendations on probationary firefighters.
- Led team in fighting fires and exercised considerable judgment in deciding best way to extinguish based on type of fuel and environment.
- Preserved order and discipline among subordinates and gave assignments and instructions.
- Delivered timely incident reports to senior leadership, providing accurate data for budgetary decisions and policy development purposes.
- Conducted thorough post-incident analysis, identifying areas for improvement in both tactics and equipment usage.
- Led critical incident debriefings, fostering culture of continuous improvement and resilience among crew members.
- Mentored new recruits and junior officers, guiding them through rigorous training programs and preparing them for advancement within department.
- Engaged in continuous professional development to stay abreast of advancements in fire science and emergency management.
- Oversaw scene operations and assigned firefighters to strategic locations.
Education
Associate of Science - Fire Science
Chattahoochee Technical College
Marietta, GANo Degree - Architectural Engineering
Southern Technical Institute
Marietta, GANo Degree - Undeclared Major
Georgia Perimeter College
Decatur, GASkills
- Safety audits
- Personal protective equipment
- Safety inspection
- Report preparation
- Site assessment
- PPE monitoring
- OSHA rule enforcement
- Effective communication
- Self motivation
- Interpersonal skills
Accomplishments
- Conducted a 5-year research project on flashover, researched effective training options on flashover training, obtained the cost of procuring a live fire flashover simulator, cost of training, developed the training plan, operating guidelines manual, hand picked a team of instructors, implemented the program, and trained over 2000 firefighters in the live fire environment with zero student injuries over a 5-year period. The program is still alive and well today.
- 10 years of service on the Honor Guard
- 4 years of service on the Hazardous Materials Team
- Graduate of the United Leadership Academy
- Received multiple Distinguished Service Awards
Certification
- NPQ FF I & II
- NPQ HazMat Tech
- NPQ Instructor I & II
- NPQ Evaluator
- NR EMT-I
- OSHA 10
Timeline
Safety Manager
Pike Consulting Group
2025.03 - Current
Delivery Driver
A&B Sheet Metal
2023.08 - 2026.01
Fire Captain
Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services
1996.09 - 2022.12
Associate of Science - Fire Science
Chattahoochee Technical College
No Degree - Architectural Engineering
Southern Technical Institute
No Degree - Undeclared Major
Georgia Perimeter College