Don Waidelich
Benton,AR
Summary
Accomplished Fire Protection Journeyman with a proven track record at Summit Companies, enhancing building safety through meticulous fire safety inspections and system troubleshooting. Expert in fire protection equipment installation and maintenance, coupled with exceptional problem-solving abilities and teamwork, significantly reduced fire incident risks. Demonstrated reliability in emergency response and compliance with safety regulations.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Fire Protection Journeyman
Summit Companies
02.2014 - 03.2022
- Provided expert advice to property owners on upgrading their facilities for optimal fire protection and hazard mitigation.
- Assisted property managers with annual Fire Safety Reports by providing data on inspections, incidents, and fire safety protocols.
- Improved overall building safety with regular maintenance and servicing of fire protection systems, such as sprinklers and alarms.
- Enhanced fire safety by conducting thorough inspections and identifying potential hazards in various facilities.
- Maintained detailed records of all inspections, maintenance work, and incident reports for accurate tracking and analysis of fire protection efforts.
- Reduced the risk of fire incidents by implementing effective fire prevention measures and training staff on emergency protocols.
- Responded promptly to emergency calls, demonstrating professionalism and effective decision-making skills under pressure.
- Inspected commercial kitchens to ensure adherence to NFPA 96 standards, reducing the risk of grease fires in restaurants.
- Identified safety concerns and documentable fire code violations in new constructions and existing structures.
- Inspected and tested building manual and automatic response fire suppression systems.
- Checked various multi-family residential and business construction sites to determine fire code compliance.
- Inspected physical condition of automatic sprinkler systems to report conditions and suggest repairs.
- Repaired and replaced defective fire safety equipment such as sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers.
- Worked with building owners and users to outline actions required to bring structures in compliance with relevant fire code regulations, laws and accepted standards.
Fire Protection Journeyman
Ahern Fire Protection
04.2006 - 02.2014
- Provided expert advice to property owners on upgrading their facilities for optimal fire protection and hazard mitigation.
- Assisted property managers with annual Fire Safety Reports by providing data on inspections, incidents, and fire safety protocols.
- Improved overall building safety with regular maintenance and servicing of fire protection systems, such as sprinklers and alarms.
- Enhanced fire safety by conducting thorough inspections and identifying potential hazards in various facilities.
- Maintained detailed records of all inspections, maintenance work, and incident reports for accurate tracking and analysis of fire protection efforts.
- Reduced the risk of fire incidents by implementing effective fire prevention measures and training staff on emergency protocols.
- Responded promptly to emergency calls, demonstrating professionalism and effective decision-making skills under pressure.
- Identified safety concerns and documentable fire code violations in new constructions and existing structures.
- Inspected and tested building manual and automatic response fire suppression systems.
- Checked various multi-family residential and business construction sites to determine fire code compliance.
- Reviewed new fire safety construction documents for extinguisher placement, exit locations and standpipe locations.
- Inspected physical condition of automatic sprinkler systems to report conditions and suggest repairs.
- Repaired and replaced defective fire safety equipment such as sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers.
- Worked with building owners and users to outline actions required to bring structures in compliance with relevant fire code regulations, laws and accepted standards.
Fire Protection Journeyman
National Sprinkler Corporation
09.1999 - 04.2006
- Provided expert advice to property owners on upgrading their facilities for optimal fire protection and hazard mitigation.
- Assisted property managers with annual Fire Safety Reports by providing data on inspections, incidents, and fire safety protocols.
- Improved overall building safety with regular maintenance and servicing of fire protection systems, such as sprinklers and alarms.
- Enhanced fire safety by conducting thorough inspections and identifying potential hazards in various facilities.
- Maintained detailed records of all inspections, maintenance work, and incident reports for accurate tracking and analysis of fire protection efforts.
- Reduced the risk of fire incidents by implementing effective fire prevention measures and training staff on emergency protocols.
- Collaborated with architects and engineers to design fire-safe commercial and residential structures, ensuring code compliance.
- Prepared documentation by writing notes, organizing official interview records, compiling inspection reports and maintaining supporting documents.
- Identified safety concerns and documentable fire code violations in new constructions and existing structures.
- Inspected and tested building manual and automatic response fire suppression systems.
- Conducted follow-up site visits to check compliance with corrective actions implemented to address violations.
- Prepared recommendations to eliminate potential fire and safety hazards at establishments.
- Reviewed new fire safety construction documents for extinguisher placement, exit locations and standpipe locations.
- Inspected physical condition of automatic sprinkler systems to report conditions and suggest repairs.
- Repaired and replaced defective fire safety equipment such as sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers.
- Worked with building owners and users to outline actions required to bring structures in compliance with relevant fire code regulations, laws and accepted standards.
Education
GED -
Twin Palms High School
Blythe, CA05.1984
Skills
System Troubleshooting
Fire protection equipment
Fire system installation
Fire safety inspections
Fire detection devices
Passive fire protection
Dry chemical systems
Teamwork and Collaboration
Problem-Solving
Report Preparation
Safety regulation adherence
Reliability
Accomplishments
As a fire sprinkler foreman I have supervised and coordinated work on job sites with a crew of up to six people.
I have an excellent reputation with my employers and clients.
I have heavy equipment experience prior to my career in fire protection.
I have operated crawler cranes, front end loaders, locomotive switch engines, caterpillar, fork truck, fork lift, boom lift and scissors lifts of all sizes.
Certification
- Confined Space Entry and Rescue Certification – Various recognized training organizations
- State of Minnesota Journeyman Sprinkler Fitter License 6/1/2023
- OSHA 10 Certification
- Forklift Certification
- Scissors Lift Certification
- Articulated Boom Lift Certification
- State of Arkansas Driver's License with excellent driving record. Zero violations.
Additional Information
A safe work environment is important in any field of employment. Being in Fire Protection has taught me that working with tools of all types requires safe operation as well as proper PPE. Safety harnesses and Tie or Die policies have always been practiced and enforced on my job sites. My safety track record and coordination is impeccable.
I retired fro the Fire Protection trade to move away from the brutal Minnesota winters. After being retired for a couple of years I have decided that I miss the comradery of a working environment. I look forward to working with others and building relationships with peers.
Timeline
Fire Protection Journeyman
Summit Companies
02.2014 - 03.2022
Fire Protection Journeyman
Ahern Fire Protection
04.2006 - 02.2014
Fire Protection Journeyman
National Sprinkler Corporation
09.1999 - 04.2006
GED -
Twin Palms High School
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