Jason Light

During my time as a member of Maryland Task Force One I have served in several disciplines as a hazmat specialist, rescue specialist, rescue squad officer, safety officer, safety discipline single point of contact, and my current role as a task force leader. In these roles I have developed and delivered training classes within these disciplines. I currently am a member of the Incident Support Team, adjunct instructor for safety officers within the USAR system, and serve as a member of the safety subgroup in the national advisory organization. These roles have led me to having a vast knowledge of the USAR system as a whole. I have recently developed and delivered the Maryland Task Force One new member orientation program that is now being used for onboarding all new members of the task force.

My role as Recruit Training Coordinator was to manage the successful completion of a 26-week training program for new recruits. To accomplish this I had to utilize strong leadership and communication skills toward my staff assigned to me and to the new recruits for the duration of the program. This program also required me to budget instructor hires, track instructor hires via an online database, and work closely with Montgomery County Fire Rescue leadership with detailing of instructors and apparatus. I worked closely with department senior leadership to make sure all job performance requirements were met for all recruits.

My role as the detailed lieutenant in the recruit training office was to deliver all the practical skills needed to graduate recruit school with some didactic instruction. This role included developing and delivering a practical skills syllabus, calendar for all instructors with skills, and coordinating all logistical needs to accomplish daily training needs. I worked closely with all instructors to verify that all instruction coincided with job performance requirements outlined by the curriculum.

In my role as assistant team leader for the Montgomery County Fire Rescue Technical Rescue Team I supported the initiatives of the team leader and filled in as interim team leader when necessary. I assisted in but not limited too the development of standard operating guidelines, team member task books, assisting in organizing monthly team training, and implementing technical rescue team officer program. This position required the utilization of computer skills for documentation, organizational skills, and leadership skills to empower team members by delegating responsibilities according to individual strengths and areas of expertise.