Gary (Wade) Simmons
Bloomingdale,GA
Summary
Experienced Fire Chief offering extensive list of successes building and leading talented teams in training, drills and high-danger emergency events. Highly committed to safety and continuous provision of quality emergency response. Equipped with strong background overseeing group efforts across diverse facilities ranging in size and complexity.
Extensive experience managing and leading a small combination department into a growing fully career department.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Fire Chief
City Of Pooler
Pooler, Georgia
05.2008 - Current
- Develops, plans and implements Fire Department goals, objectives, rules, regulations and work methods that comply with federal, state and local laws and in response to an assessment of community needs.
- Supervises department personnel through chain of command; assigns workloads and establishes work schedules; assigns, reviews and plans work of others; allocates personnel; selects new employees; recommending and approving employee discipline, discharge and promotions.
- Studies growth of city and general building trends and makes recommendations for expansion and improvement of firefighting, rescue and other emergency services.
- Coordinates, administers and monitors fire and emergency response activities, personnel and programs.
- Provides consultation and assistance to City Manager, City Council and other governmental officials on matters relating to fire and emergency operations.
- Supervises and participates in development and administration of department budget.
- Controls department procurement; develops, reviews and give departmental approval to specifications for new facilities, equipment and apparatus.
- Oversees maintenance of facilities and equipment.
- Cooperates with other city departments and other local, state and federal organizations to improve fire prevention, suppression and rescue capabilities, methods and techniques.
- Responds to incidents to coordinate mitigation, evaluate operations and provide liaison to other agencies; takes command and supervises emergency operations at the scene of incidents when necessary.
- Directs preparation and analysis of departmental records and reports to ensure efficient operations, meet service demands and comply with authorized requests for information regarding departmental activities and personnel.
- Designs, Specifies and follows the building of fire apparatus for department.
- Attends and participates in public functions to promote fire prevention and to establish and maintain favorable public relations.
- Establishes and maintains mutual aid agreements with other fire/emergency response agencies.
- Receives and responds to public and news media inquiries, concerns, complaints and requests regarding areas or responsibility.
- Attends training courses and seminars.
- Attends regional, national, state and local conferences, conventions and other meetings to remain knowledgeable of modern fire/rescue methods and administration.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- Directed work of 74 personnel engaged in extinguishing fires, and working within the department.
Fire Captain
City Of Savannah
Savannah, Georgia
11.1998 - 05.2008
- Directs activities of assigned shift; assigns daily duties and deployments; conducts quarterly and annual employee evaluations; plans and participates in training activities; investigates employee injuries and accidents occurring on assigned shift.
- Responds to calls involving emergency medical, fire and hazmat incidents; assumes command and control responsibilities until relieved by higher ranking officer; serves in supervisory role in branch, group or division of emergency scenes as appropriate; takes appropriate actions to minimize loss of life and property; determines appropriate strategies for emergency incident response; determines need for additional personnel or equipment; directs and participates in operation of equipment; provides emergency medical care; performs search and rescue operations.
- Responds to non-emergency service calls to assist public.
- Ensures that shift staffing meets minimum requirements; fields requests for emergency leave and makes appropriate recommendations.
- Confirms correct deployment of apparatus to emergency responses and ensures adequate coverage is maintained.
- Organizes, schedules and assigns duties for Station Officers.
- Reviews shift activities, reports and personnel forms for correctness and completeness.
- Interprets and enforces policies and procedures.
- Processes and supervises preparation of requisitions for purchase of supplies and services for department.
- Requests and coordinates repair and replacement of faulty equipment, station facilities, and apparatus; coordinates with contractors on matters related to new fire station construction.
- Prepares monthly status reports on station activities.
- Schedules and conducts monthly business inspections and pre-fire planning sessions; directs and conducts monthly hydrant servicing and flow testing; directs and conducts fire safety education.
- Investigates work-related injuries and accidents.
- Performs related duties.
- Directed work of 2-6 firefighters engaged in extinguishing fires
Firefighter
Southside Communities Fire Protection
Savannah, GA
09.1989 - 11.1998
- Responded to emergency medical calls to perform lifesaving procedures and other emergency medical services.
- Drove and operated structural pumpers, tankers, ladders, and service vehicles to aid in rescue operations.
- Operated fire hoses, hydrants and extinguishers to eliminate fire and prevent from spreading.
- Collaborated with other emergency responders on scene to establish adequate fire suppression.
- Documented emergency calls and equipment maintenance to enable tracking history and maintain accurate records.
- Participated in physical fitness and training programs to maintain preparedness and stamina for fire rescues.
- Participated in community outreach programs to raise awareness of fire prevention and safety measures.
- Educated public and community members on fire safety and prevention methods to provide life-saving techniques.
- Oversaw equipment and vehicle upkeep to maintain emergency readiness.
- Evaluated situation at emergency sites to determine and execute most effective methods for saving life and property.
- Trained new firefighters to comply with safety protocols and equipment usage.
Skills
- Knowledge of principles, practices, and equipment used in suppression of fires and in delivery of other emergency services
- Knowledge of emergency incident management techniques
- Knowledge of city budgeting guidelines
- Knowledge of personnel management principles and practices
- Knowledge of program evaluation and quality enhancement principles
- Skill in development, implementation, and enforcement of policies and guidelines
- Skill in operation of fire apparatus and in delivery of emergency medical services
- Skill in training and supervision of personnel
- Skill in identifying and resolving problems in a timely manner
- Skill in planning and organizing work activities
- Skill in oral and written communication
- Disaster management
- Resources allocation
- Municipal codes
- Staff performance evaluation
Affiliations
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
- Member, International Association of Fire Chiefs
- Former President, International Association of Fire-fighters Local 574
- Commissioner, Planning & Zoning
- Charter Member, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Company Officers Section
Certification
CERTIFICATION:
- Certified Fire Officer I, II, III
- Fire Instructor I certification
- Certified Hazardous Material Operations
- CFR - Certified First Responder
Timeline
Fire Chief
City Of Pooler
05.2008 - Current
Fire Captain
City Of Savannah
11.1998 - 05.2008
Firefighter
Southside Communities Fire Protection
09.1989 - 11.1998
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