Gary Buzzell
City of Bristol Fire Department
Windsor,Connecticut
1
Certification
20
years of professional experience
Experienced fire safety professional with a strong background in inspections, fire investigations, and code enforcement. Skilled in report writing, fire protection systems, and coordinating corrective actions to resolve hazards and protect public safety.
Work History
Fire Inspector
4 Years 8 Months- Inspects commercial and residential properties for fire code compliance, identifying hazards and required corrections.
- Enforces Connecticut Fire Safety Code and local ordinances through field inspections and violation follow-up.
- Reviews building plans and permit applications for fire protection system compliance.
- Documents inspection findings, issues notices of violation, and tracks corrective actions to resolution.
- Investigates complaints and refers unresolved hazards for enforcement or remediation.
- Evaluates fire alarm, sprinkler, and suppression systems during site inspections and acceptance testing.
- Guides fire prevention initiatives by supporting public education, risk reduction, and inspection process improvements.
- Prepares recommendations to eliminate potential fire and safety hazards at establishments.
- Manufactures preliminary and complete reports on fire origins and causes by observing scene and interviewing witnesses.
- Delivers high-value customer service to our customers and and assists with delivery of fire prevention initiatives
- Collaborates with local emergency services, ensuring a coordinated response in case of emergencies.
- Collaborates effectively with all town agencies and representatives for the direct benefit of our community
- Coordinates with property owners, contractors, and town officials to resolve code deficiencies and improve safety.
- Investigates fire incidents to determine cause and origin, providing critical information for legal proceedings.
Fire Lieutenant
4 Years 11 Months- Supervises firefighting crews during emergency response and during daily operations, ensuring safe scene operations and clear command structure.
- Improved fire personnel response times by implementing efficient training programs and drills.
- Directs fire suppression, rescue, and all manner of emergency response activities in alignment with department procedures and incident priorities.
- Monitors apparatus readiness, equipment staging, and station operations to support rapid deployment.
- Coordinates crew assignments, daily briefings, and operational handoffs to maintain response readiness.
- Assists with fire and life safety education for the community and members of the public
- Collaborates with other fire departments for mutual aid support during major incidents, augmenting available resources as needed to ensure public safety objectives were met efficiently.
- Mentoring new firefighters, fostering a positive work environment conducive to professional growth and development.
- Evaluates personnel performance regularly, providing constructive feedback and identifying individual strengths to match skill sets with appropriate assignments.
Fire Inspector
1 Year 10 Months- Enforced Connecticut Fire Safety Code and local ordinances through field inspections and violation follow-up.
- Inspected commercial and residential properties for fire code compliance, identifying hazards and required corrections.
- Reviewed building plans and permit applications for fire protection system compliance.
- Documented inspection findings, issued notices of violation, and tracked corrective actions to resolution.
- Guided fire prevention initiatives by supporting public education, risk reduction, and inspection process improvements.
- Checked various multi-family residential and business construction sites to determine fire code compliance.
- Investigated fire incidents to determine cause and origin, providing critical information for legal proceedings.
Firefighter
13 Years 7 Months- Extinguished structure and vehicle fires using suppression techniques and hose line operations.
- Responded to fire, rescue, and medical emergencies with rapid, coordinated apparatus deployment.
- Assessed scene hazards and applied incident command procedures to support safe operations.
- Delivered emergency medical care, stabilizing patients until transferred to advanced responders.
- Participated in training drills, sharpening firefighting, rescue, and hazardous materials response skills.
- Demonstrated strong leadership skills while serving as a mentor to new firefighters, fostering a culture of teamwork and professionalism within the department.
- Utilized technical expertise in operating specialized firefighting equipment such as aerial ladders, hydraulic extrication tools, and thermal imaging cameras.
- Oversaw equipment and vehicle upkeep to maintain emergency readiness.
- Educated public and community members on fire safety and prevention methods to provide life-saving techniques.
Education
High School Diploma
Skills
Fire code compliance
Fire risk analysis
Emergency planning
Fire alarm technology
Incident command
Fire prevention
Hazardous materials
Fire investigation
Fire protection
Fire behavior
Life safety
Building construction
Inspection reporting
Report writing
Certification
Fire Investigator
Fire Code Inspector
Fire Officer 1
Fire Instructor 1
Firefighter 1 and 2
Hazardous Materials Operations
Health and Safety Officer
NIMS IS-00700
NIMS IS-00100
Pumper Operator
Aerial Operator
Emergency Medical Responder
Timeline
Fire Inspector
Town of Ellington
03.2022 - CurrentRead More
Fire Lieutenant
City of Bristol Fire Department
12.2021 - CurrentRead More
Fire Inspector
City of Bristol Fire Department
02.2020 - 12.2021Read More
Firefighter
City of Bristol Fire Department
07.2006 - 02.2020Read More
Glastonbury High School
High School Diploma
Read More