Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Roles And Responsibilities
Personnel History
Pio
Officer
Community Outreach
Wildland
Training
Timeline
Generic

Jeffrey Smetzler

Elk

Summary

Be a role model, member, and teammate in the organization's development, training, and performance. Develop a service model that is mutually beneficial to the organization’s stakeholders and its strategic partners.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Captain

Spokane Valley Fire Department
08.2025 - Current
  • Trained and certified to serve as a Captain on the engine or ladders since 2004.
  • Operate as the first arriving incident commander to all incidents and can be tasked with managing the entire incident.
  • If directed by the IC, operate as Division Supervisor for larger-scale incidents.
  • As the first arriving ALS provider on scene, provide primary patient care and manage all personnel to provide appropriate treatment modality for positive outcomes.
  • Direct and evaluate crew members, documenting crew performance reports for those assigned to me.
  • Complete and document annual fire hydrant testing of fire hydrants assigned to my crew.
  • Complete medical and fire reports via department SOPs.
  • Perform shift-required evaluations, training, and crew assignments.
  • Complete personal improvement training for crew members.
  • Develop and instruct multi-company drills and scenarios.
  • Confirm the crew completes the required monthly, quarterly, and annual training.
  • Assist members with recertification of EMS.
  • Mentor members taking IFSAC courses, paramedic school, college classes, or other department promotional courses.
  • Evaluate paramedic students as an ALS proctor while completing their field internships.
  • Know, understand, and follow department SOPs, representing the department and serving as a resource for department members.

Public Information Officer

Spokane Valley Fire Department
01.2019 - Current
  • A SVFD Public Information Officer operating as part of the Community Affairs Division.
  • Respond to emergency-related incidents, investigate, and collect information from the IC.
  • Provide press releases, social media posts, and live news media interviews on the scene of incidents.
  • Through public outreach programs, public information updates, safety messages, and educational initiatives, the public receives relevant information.
  • Partnered with the media for in-person interviews and assisted with investigative reports, introducing new topics affecting the fire department.
  • Attended NFA PIO Courses and local PIO networking meetings and conferences to develop relationships with our stakeholders and strategic partners.
  • Utilize the position to educate the community on fire safety, prevention, wildland urban interface, and levy-related topics.
  • Act as a liaison between the media and the fire chief, providing accurate, timely information about the department.

Out Of Class Captain/Paramedic

Spokane Valley Fire Department
03.2004 - Current
  • Company Overview: Career-only fire protection district serving a population of over 150,000 residents from 10 fire stations. The organization comprises 300 members from administrative, inspection, and line personnel. It has a 24/48 three-platoon schedule with Kelly days.
  • Respond to emergent and non-emergent calls as a firefighter/paramedic on a three-person ALS engine company.
  • Perform daily, weekly, and monthly checks and inspections of firefighting gear, tools, and equipment.
  • Clean the station for each shift in accordance with department specifications.
  • Completed daily, quarterly, and annual training via computer, tactical hands-on, tabletop, and team exercises.
  • Inspect and maintain PPE for structural and wildland purposes.
  • Complete daily and weekly checks of fire apparatus.
  • Supervise, manage, train, and evaluate probationary firefighters assigned to my crew after they complete the fire academy.
  • Perform crew evaluations and review with members.
  • Evaluate probationary firefighters on skills, station duties, EMS, building knowledge, and area familiarization.
  • Coordinate with other SVFD officers and battalion chiefs to design and complete multi-company operations drills and scenarios.
  • Manage crews as the first-arriving IC for various incident types, complete a 360-degree size-up, develop an operational strategy, and assign personnel.
  • Operate in accordance with department SOPs, prioritizing life safety, scene stabilization, and property conservation.
  • Complete fire inspections and Pre-incident Plans.
  • Educate children and adults on fire safety and prevention.
  • Teach CPR to high school students as part of their graduation requirement.
  • Career-only fire protection district serving a population of over 150,000 residents from 10 fire stations. The organization comprises 300 members from administrative, inspection, and line personnel. It has a 24/48 three-platoon schedule with Kelly days.
  • Lead Instructor for the annual department wildland training.
  • Develop WUI lesson plans incorporating structural size-up, direct, and indirect fire attack.
  • As the lead program manager, I annually instruct personnel on high-performance CPR techniques.
  • Instruct personnel on other ALS-related topics as needed.
  • Complete individual skills assessments on my crew and probationary firefighters assigned to me.
  • Continuing personnel improvement through college courses, NFA, and other outside fire-related courses.
  • Teach wildland courses to regional fire service partners.
  • IFSAC Senior Evaluator for SVFD members completing the Fire Academy, and others completing promotional-level IFSAC courses.
  • Regionally, an IFSAC Senior Evaluator for other local fire departments completing their IFSAC testing.

Community Outreach

Spokane Valley Fire Department
03.2001 - Current
  • Teach CPR to High School freshmen as mandated by the Washington State Education Curriculum.
  • Perform Fire Inspections annually on businesses.
  • Complete Pre-Incident Planning for commercial structures.
  • Perform home smoke detector inspections and installations as part of the agency’s Community Risk Reduction program.
  • Fire Science Instructor for students in a technical schooling program.
  • Founding member of the SVFD Honor Guard.
  • Participate in various functions, including funerals, parades, and wreath-laying.
  • Represented the SVFD Honor Guard at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial at the NFA, Emmitsburg, Maryland, and the IAFF Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Colorado Springs.
  • Member and former President of the SVFD Benevolent Association.
  • Developed the SVFD Benevolent Christmas Party to support disadvantaged elementary school children.
  • The Benevolent Christmas Party was a joint cooperative effort between local elementary schools, their counselors, and the SVFD Benevolent Association.

Wildland Firefighter

Spokane Valley Fire Department
01.2001 - Current
  • Mobilize as a lead member of the agency’s communications unit for wildland fires in our region to support the Type 3 Incident Management Teams.
  • Establish a communications network for the fires using specialized communication equipment.
  • Utilize mapping software to determine locations for repeater setups that provide communications from the fire crews to the Incident Command Post.
  • Assign and program radios to crews arriving and manage communications.
  • Design a daily radio communications frequency report (205) for the IAP to allow divisions and branches to communicate effectively.
  • Complete crew evaluations, time sheets, and equipment tracking for the mobilization unit.
  • Present the daily communications report in the morning Incident Command briefings.
  • Manage a four-member crew comprising radio operators and communication technicians.
  • Create an equipment-tracking and maintenance schedule to keep repeaters operating optimally and ensure accurate radio assignment tracking.
  • Delegate crews to perform regular operational tests to confirm the system continues to perform normally.
  • Engine Boss on type 6 wildland brush trucks and Class A pumpers.
  • Extinguish fires following the operational direction of the incident commander.
  • Complete equipment reports and time sheets, and track mileage for accounting.
  • Inspect and maintain tools, equipment, and the pump to ensure efficient operation.
  • As a strike team/task force leader, manage multiple crews and equipment to complete assigned tasks.
  • Complete crew evaluations and time sheets while confirming crew readiness.
  • Perform structural size-up and triage of homes and buildings threatened by wildland fires.
  • Coordinate with the Incident Commander or division supervisors following the predetermined strategy.
  • Provide updates on the effectiveness of actions taken for the assigned tasks.
  • Provide for the safe operations of all crew members.
  • Review maps and mapping software to determine the best travel routes to and from the incident.
  • Understand the mission of the Incident Commander to mitigate the fire activity and limit property loss.
  • Document and submit accurate reports of activities, successes, and failures related to the incident in our respective areas of responsibility.
  • Brief crews daily on assignments, safety issues, and operational objectives.
  • Manage ground and aerial resources as needed to complete assigned tasks and goals.
  • Evaluate and reassess actions on structural and wildland incidents to confirm operations produce the required outcomes.

Education

No Degree - Fire Science Technology

American Public University
Charlestown, NH
03-2026

A.A.S - Fire Science Technology

Spokane Community College
Spokane, WA
06-2000

NREMT Paramedic - Advanced Life Support

Spokane Community College
Spokane, WA
06-2004

Skills

  • Honor guard founding member
  • President of Spokane Valley Firefighters Benevolent Association
  • Honors distinction at American Public University
  • Member of National Honor Society

Accomplishments

    IFSAC/Proboard:

    IFSAC FFI

    Proboard FFII

    IFSAC Haz Mat Awareness

    IFSAC Haz Mat Operations

    IFSAC Fire Instructor I

    IFSAC Fire Instructor II

    IFSAC Fire Officer I

    IFSAC Fire Officer II

    IFSAC Evaluator

    IFSAC Senior Evaluator

    FEMA/NFA:

    ICS 100 Introduction to Incident Command System

    ICS 200 Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response

    ICS 300 Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents

    ICS 400 Advanced ICS for Command & General Staff

    ICS 700 Introduction to the National Incident Management System

    ICS 703 NIMS Resource Management

    ICS 800 National Response Framework: An Introduction

    NFA (ISO) Incident Safety Officer

    Haz Mat Incident Commander

    IS-29 Public Information Officer Awareness

    Q0426 Introduction to Fire & EMS Supervision & Management

    Q0751 Principles of Building Construction

    Q0841 Introduction to Strategic Community Risk Reduction

    Q0891 Foundations of Leadership & Operations for the Company Officer

    NFA Preparing for Initial Company Operations

    NFA WUI Operation for the Structural Chief Officer

    Washington State:

    Paramedic 2004-current

    EMS Evaluator 2004-current

    ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support

    PEAC Prehospital Emergency Airway Course

    EVAP/EVIP

    Class A CDL Tanker Endorsement

    IAFF/ODP/Other:

    Blue Card Incident Commander

    IAFF Responding to the Interface Awareness

    IAFF Responding to the Interface Instructor

    IAFF Wildland Urban Interface Instructor

    NERRTC Basic Concepts for WMD Incidents

    NWCG/Wildland:

    S130/S190 Firefighter I

    S131 Firefighter II Squad Boss

    S230 Crewboss

    S231 Engine Boss

    S211/S214 Area Engines & Hydraulics

    S-215 Fire Operations in Wildland/Urban Interface

    S-234 Firing Methods & Procedures

    S290 Intermediate Fire Behavior

    S330 Task Force/Strike Team Leader

    S258 Incident Communications Technician (COMT)

    S358 Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM)

    I-244 Field Observer

    A-100 Basic Aviation Safety

    A-110 Aviation Transport of Hazardous Materials

    Spokane Valley Fire Department:

    Out of Class Captain 2004-Present

    Out of Class Engineer 2002-Present

    Officer Development Academy I

    Officer Development Academy II

    Wildland Instructor

    High Performance CPR Instructor

    Communications Unit Lead

    WUI Instructor

Certification

IFSAC FFI, Proboard FFII, IFSAC Haz Mat Awareness, IFSAC Haz Mat Operations, IFSAC Fire Instructor I, IFSAC Fire Instructor II, IFSAC Fire Officer I, IFSAC Fire Officer II, IFSAC Evaluator, IFSAC Senior Evaluator, ICS 100 Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS 200 Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS 300 Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents, ICS 400 Advanced ICS for Command & General Staff, ICS 700 Introduction to the National Incident Management System, ICS 703 NIMS Resource Management, ICS 800 National Response Framework: An Introduction, NFA (ISO) Incident Safety Officer, Haz Mat Incident Commander, IS-29 Public Information Officer Awareness, Q0426 Introduction to Fire & EMS Supervision & Management, Q0751 Principles of Building Construction, Q0841 Introduction to Strategic Community Risk Reduction, Q0891 Foundations of Leadership & Operations for the Company Officer, NFA Preparing for Initial Company Operations, NFA Command & Control for WUI Operation for the Structural Chief Officer, Paramedic 2004-current, EMS Evaluator 2004-current, ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support, PEAC Prehospital Emergency Airway Course, EVAP/EVIP, Class A CDL Tanker Endorsement, Blue Card Incident Commander, IAFF Responding to the Interface Awareness, IAFF Responding to the Interface Instructor, IAFF Wildland Urban Interface Instructor, NERRTC Basic Concepts for WMD Incidents, S130/S190 Firefighter I, S131 Firefighter II Squad Boss, S230 Crewboss, S231 Engine Boss, S211/S214 Area Engines & Hydraulics, S-215 Fire Operations in Wildland/Urban Interface, S-234 Firing Methods & Procedures, S290 Intermediate Fire Behavior, S330 Task Force/Strike Team Leader, S258 Incident Communications Technician (COMT), S358 Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM), I-244 Field Observer, A-100 Basic Aviation Safety, A-110 Aviation Transport of Hazardous Materials, Out of Class Captain 2004-Present, Out of Class Engineer 2002-Present, Officer Development Academy I, Officer Development Academy II, Wildland Instructor, High Performance CPR Instructor, Communications Unit Lead, WUI Instructor

Roles And Responsibilities

  • Respond to emergent and non-emergent calls as a captain/paramedic on a three-person ALS engine company.
  • Perform daily, weekly, and monthly checks and inspections of firefighting gear, tools, and equipment.
  • Clean the station each shift in accordance with department specifications.
  • Complete daily, quarterly, and annual training via computer, tactical hands-on, tabletop, and team exercises.
  • Inspect and maintain PPE for structural and wildland purposes.
  • Complete daily and weekly checks of fire apparatus.
  • Supervise, manage, train, and evaluate probationary firefighters assigned to my crew after they complete the fire academy.
  • Perform crew evaluations and review with members.
  • Evaluate probationary firefighters on skills, station duties, EMS, building knowledge, and area familiarization.
  • Coordinate with other SVFD officers and battalion chiefs to design and complete multi-company operations drills and scenarios.
  • Manage crews as the first-arriving IC for various incident types, complete a 360-degree size-up, develop an operational strategy, and assign personnel.
  • Operate in accordance with department SOPs, prioritizing life safety, scene stabilization, and property conservation.
  • Complete fire inspections and Pre-incident Plans.
  • Educate children and adults on fire safety and prevention.
  • Teach CPR to high school students as part of their graduation requirement.

Personnel History

  • Volunteer, Chelan County Fire District #1 (CCFD1), Wenatchee, WA, 16-18
  • Resident Firefighter, Avon Fire Department (AFD), Avon, CO
  • Career Paid Firefighter, Avon Fire Department (AFD)
  • Wildland Firefighter, US Forest Service Entiat Ranger District, Entiat, WA
  • Wildland Firefighter, Entiat Hotshots
  • Fire Science Graduate, Spokane Community College
  • Captain/Paramedic, Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD), 2001-03-01, Present

Pio

Public Information Officer, Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD), Respond to emergency-related incidents, investigate, and collect information from the IC. Provide press releases, social media posts, and live news media interviews on the scene of incidents.

Officer

Captain, 2004-01-01, Trained and certified to serve as a Captain on the engine or ladders. Operate as the first arriving incident commander to all incidents.

Community Outreach

  • Teach CPR to High School freshmen as mandated by the Washington State Education Curriculum.
  • Perform Fire Inspections annually on businesses.
  • Complete Pre-Incident Planning for commercial structures.
  • Perform home smoke detector inspections and installations as part of the agency’s Community Risk Reduction program.

Wildland

Lead Member of Communications Unit, Mobilize as a lead member of the agency’s communications unit for wildland fires in our region to support the Type 3 Incident Management Teams.

Training

  • Lead Instructor for the annual department wildland training.
  • Develop WUI lesson plans incorporating structural size-up, direct, and indirect fire attack.
  • Instruct personnel on high-performance CPR techniques.
  • Teach wildland courses to regional fire service partners.
  • IFSAC Senior Evaluator for SVFD members completing the Fire Academy.

Timeline

Captain

Spokane Valley Fire Department
08.2025 - Current

Public Information Officer

Spokane Valley Fire Department
01.2019 - Current

Out Of Class Captain/Paramedic

Spokane Valley Fire Department
03.2004 - Current

Community Outreach

Spokane Valley Fire Department
03.2001 - Current

Wildland Firefighter

Spokane Valley Fire Department
01.2001 - Current

No Degree - Fire Science Technology

American Public University

A.A.S - Fire Science Technology

Spokane Community College

NREMT Paramedic - Advanced Life Support

Spokane Community College

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