Gordon Pershall
Sacramento,CA
Summary
Dedicated and dynamic, with a proven track record at Cal Fire and Palisades Tahoe, I excel in high-pressure environments, demonstrating exceptional teamwork and leadership. A CA State Registered EMT, I've also showcased my strategic thinking and physical endurance by placing 3rd in the American Collegiate Rowing Association National Championships.
I greatly value the importance of mental health awareness of not only myself but also all of my coworkers as well. I believe mental health to be the most serious part of the job.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Firefighter 1
Cal Fire
06.2022 - Current
- Started on Crew 1, asked to help stand up Crew 5 during my second season.
- Postions held; 1st saw, 2nd saw, currently lead safety on Ponderosa Crew 5.
- Tasks performed; cleaning and maintaining saws, teaching saw safety and saw techniques, morning briefing duties, weather and 6 minutes, setting up CADWEB when coming onto shift as well as following days on shift, call logs, IIPP 6’s and 11’s, making workouts for crews.
- Teaching intro to Swift Water Rescue via powerpoint and real world swift water rescues from time at State Parks.
Professional Ski Patroller
Palisades Tahoe
12.2023 - 04.2024
- Performed weather monitoring tasks to anticipate potential impacts on slope conditions and guest safety requirements.
- Assisted injured guests by administering first aid, ranging from sprained ankle injuries to unconsciousness.
- Responds to medical aids, lost ski area guests, as well as rope rescues.
- Conducts avalanche control with ski-cutting and two to five pound explosive devices as well as snowmobile rescue operations.
- Safely transports and places explosives on mountain to stabilize snow pack.
Lifeguard Seasonal I, II
California State Parks
05.2018 - 06.2022
- Auburn SRA Lifeguards conduct code 3 driving, swift water rescue operations, trail rescue operations, are familiar with helicopter rescue operations, and conduct daily park closure operations as well.
- Helped to start up CA State Parks’ first Swift Water rescue program at Auburn State Recreation Area.
- Worked as a K9 decoy for four years in all areas of the state and helped other seasonal's join the decoy program. Decoy work consists of helping facilitate detection and apprehension (bite) training for State Parks K9 units as well as sister and allied agencies.
- Hoist and heli-drop training with Placer County Sheriff Helicopter as well as CHP Helicopters; H20 and H24.
Education
General Education
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CAGeneral Studies
Los Rios Community Colleges
Sacramento, CASkills
- CA State Registered EMT Current until 07/31/2026
- FEMA ICS 100, 200, 700, 800
- BLS, CPR, and AED certified Current until 09/01/2024
- Cal Fire River and Flood Rescue Technician Level 1
Accomplishments
- Placed Third in the nation at American Collegiate Rowing Association National Championships in 2016 in Men’s Novice 8 in Gainesville, Georgia.
- Placed Eighth in the nation at American Collegiate Rowing Association National Championships in 2017 in Men’s JV8 in Gainesville, Georgia.
- Helped to start up CA State Parks’ first Swift Water rescue program at Auburn State Recreation Area.
- Worked as a K9 decoy for four years in all areas of the state. Decoy work consists of helping facilitate detection and apprehension (bite) training for State Parks K9 units as well as sister and allied agencies.
Certification
- Fire Captain Ryan Scarr-AEU (530)-391-5236
- Fire Apparatus Engineer Tim Anderson-AEU (559)-238-5031
- Battalion Chief Thomas Silva-Cal Fire (916)-849-2672
- Fire Captain David Born (916)-346-5012
- Palisades Tahoe Professional Ski Patrol Director-Bart Hummer (775)-450-2567
- Sergeant Ryan Steele-Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (562)-777-6886
Timeline
Professional Ski Patroller
Palisades Tahoe
12.2023 - 04.2024
Firefighter 1
Cal Fire
06.2022 - Current
Lifeguard Seasonal I, II
California State Parks
05.2018 - 06.2022
- Fire Captain Ryan Scarr-AEU (530)-391-5236
- Fire Apparatus Engineer Tim Anderson-AEU (559)-238-5031
- Battalion Chief Thomas Silva-Cal Fire (916)-849-2672
- Fire Captain David Born (916)-346-5012
- Palisades Tahoe Professional Ski Patrol Director-Bart Hummer (775)-450-2567
- Sergeant Ryan Steele-Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (562)-777-6886
General Education
Orange Coast College
General Studies
Los Rios Community Colleges
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