Justin Champion
Albuquerque,NM
Summary
Professional with strong background in coordinating instructional programs, driving team collaboration, and delivering results. Skilled in curriculum development, training facilitation, and process optimization. Known for adaptability and reliability, ensuring smooth operations and effective communication. Focused on achieving measurable outcomes and fostering positive learning environment.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Instructor Coordinator
New Mexico Firefighter Training Academy
04.2025 - Current
- Actively participates in community outreach efforts, representing the department at public events and delivering presentations about fire safety topics.
- Improves firefighting skills of trainees by incorporating hands-on activities and demonstrations in lesson plans.
- Keeps current on industry trends and advancements, integrating new information into course materials for an up-to-date curriculum.
- Maintains a safe training environment by enforcing safety protocols during all practical exercises.
- Collaborates with fellow instructors to share best practices and improve overall program effectiveness.
- Assess trainee needs and learning styles, tailoring instructional approaches to meet the diverse requirements of each individual.
- Assessed student performance through formal and informal evaluations, providing constructive feedback for improvement.
Deputy Chief / EMT-1
ACOMA Fire Department
05.2023 - 04.2025
- Lead training for fire/EMS teams, boosting readiness and skill levels.
- Support strategic planning, enhancing department operations.
- Guide personnel in fire management and emergency procedures.
- Act as deputy, stepping in as Fire Chief when required.
- Develop SOPs, ensuring safety and compliance.
- Innovate training programs, elevating team readiness and positioning department at forefront of emergency services. Drive operational excellence.
- Oversee strategic planning and standard operating procedures, ensuring compliance and safety. Step in as Fire Chief when required.
- Organized, reviewed and evaluated work of 15 sworn and non-sworn staff members.
Deputy Fire Chief
Ft. Irwin Fire
02.2022 - 12.2022
- Led strategic planning to optimize fire department resource use and efficiency.
- Administered DoD Fire Department Accreditation, enhancing departmental standards.
- Evaluated staff performance, ensuring high proficiency and safety compliance.
- Facilitated government-community liaison, fostering effective communication.
- Implemented quality assurance reviews, improving operational effectiveness.
Training Captain / AEMT
Williston
02.2016 - 04.2022
- Lead a team of 17 instructors responsible for the training of personnel in fire suppression and emergency medical services for the Williston fire department.
- Lead Instructor for North Dakota state Fire Association teaching hundreds of students a year around the state. To include state fire school.
- Responsible for the development and implementation of training for the Williston Fire Department.
- Developed new and innovative training for the Department.
- TEMS MEDIC and tactical medical instructor for the WILLIAMS COUNTY SWAT TEAM both field and classroom application for over 20 officers.
- Assist with development of policies and standard operating guidelines.
- Assisting with ISO and accreditation review.
- Assisting in interviewing, hiring, and training employees.
- Instructed 8000 hours of Fire and EMS drills in the field and classroom setting in firefighting, EMS, hazardous materials and related subjects.
- Conducts regular inspections, safety audits and hazard assessments of work locations, work groups, projects and individuals at the assigned job location.
- Identifies hazards and potential risks and assist with eliminating or mitigating those hazards.
- Conducted periodic firefighter written performance evaluations and completed written recommendations on probationary firefighters.
Supervisory Firefighter/EMT
Palominas Fire District
07.2014 - 02.2016
- Supervised a crew of at least three firefighters responsible for the fire suppression and emergency medical services for the Palominas Fire District.
- Duties include but are not limited to fire suppression in structural as well as wild land environments and emergency medical services under highly stressful emergency conditions.
- Drive, operate, test, and insure proper placement of apparatus, ranging from 250-gpm to a 2,000-gpm pumpers or other emergency vehicles and equipment for maximum efficiency.
- Participates in Fire and EMS drills, attends classes in firefighting, EMS, hazardous materials and related subjects.
- Checked all fire and life safety systems and equipment for proper placement at properties, including fire alarms, sprinkler systems and smoke detectors.
- Operated pumping engine to direct water pressure in hose and nozzle for most efficient operation.
- Evaluated situation at emergency sites to determine and execute most effective methods for saving life and property.
- Conducted thorough tests and inspections of gear, equipment and tools to stay ready for every type of fire.
Security/Communications Contractor
Self
05.2012 - 07.2015
- Responsible for the day-to-day protective security functions as specified in the daily post and detail orders.
- Maintains protective formation position during the principal’s walking movements and provides security.
- Protected facility and property guests by regularly circulating premises and monitoring surveillance feeds.
- Established long-term relationships with clients, resulting in increased repeat business.
Firefighter/EMT
Whetstone Fire District
06.2008 - 07.2014
- Responsible for the fire suppression and emergency medical services for Whetstone Fire District.
- Responds to emergency calls to provide efficient and immediate care to the critically ill and injured and transports the patient to a medical facility.
- Duties included but were not limited to, opening and maintaining an airway, ventilating patients, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including use of automated external defibrillators.
Senior Field Technician
General Dynamics
01.2011 - 08.2011
- Member of the Flight operations and support staff for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Battalion.
- Conduct vehicle and ground equipment maintenance, inspections, perform flight emergency / recovery operations.
- Conduct Hazardous Material and Hazardous Waste inspections for ground operations.
Firefighter
Douglas Fire Department
06.2008 - 10.2010
- Of a crew of eight firefighters responsible for the fire suppression and emergency medical services for the city of Douglas.
- Drove and operated fire apparatus and ambulances, pump testing and insured proper placement of apparatus, ranging from 250-gpm to 2,000-gpm pumpers or other emergency vehicles and equipment for maximum efficiency.
- Responds to emergency calls to provide efficient and immediate care to the critically ill and injured and transports the patient to a medical facility.
- Duties included but were not limited to, opening and maintaining an airway, ventilating patients, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including use of automated external defibrillators.
- Participates in Fire and EMS drills, attends classes in firefighting, EMS, hazardous materials and related subjects.
Soldier- Team Leader
US ARMY
02.1996 - 12.2006
- Telecommunication expert assigned to multiple Positions throughout the Army including Iraq, and Bosnia.
- Telecommunications shift leader in a strategic all NCO unit supporting The Commander of SFOR in Bosnia.
- Presented formal instruction of approved Programs of Instruction (POI) through lecture, conference, demonstration, and practical exercises.
- Develop POIs & course materials to include lesson plans, operation sheets, student handouts, and examinations.
- Developed and led training programs in preparation for combat.
- Documented and processed classified materials.
- Supervised more than $1,000,000 in high-value equipment, maintaining zero loss record over 5 years.
- Patrolled designated coverage areas and evaluated terrain for defensive use.
- Exceeded goals through effective task prioritization and great work ethic.
- Used coordination and planning skills to achieve results according to schedule.
- Maintained physical fitness levels to meet demanding operational requirements and ensure optimal performance under challenging circumstances.
- Strengthened morale among fellow soldiers through active listening, empathy, and encouragement in difficult situations.
Education
Associate's degree - Fire Science
Waldorf University
Forest City, IA05.2016
Skills
- Customer service
- Safety
- Critical thinking
- Project Management
- Leadership
- Fire suppression
- Special Operations
- Problem solving
- Emergency response
- Teaching strategies
- Adaptive learning
- Training delivery
- Curriculum development
Certification
- Fire Officer Designation, CPSE
- Chief Training Officer Designation, CPSE
- ARFF Firefighter
- Incident Safety Officer
- ISFSI Training officer credential
- Fire officer 1, Fire Officer2, Fire officer3, and Fire officer 4
- Tactical medical practitioner
- Tactical medical responder
- Proboard Hazardous materials technician
- HAZMAT IC
- Highway emergency response specialist
- Fire Instructor 1 and 2
- ISFSI-Live fire instructor Proboard
- Ropes1&2
- TCCC certification
- IFSAC Firefighter 1&2
Languages
English
Affiliations
- ISFSI
- Special Operations Medical Association
- International association of Fire Chiefs
- Federation of Fire Chaplains
- National Tactical Officers Association
Timeline
Instructor Coordinator
New Mexico Firefighter Training Academy
04.2025 - Current
Deputy Chief / EMT-1
ACOMA Fire Department
05.2023 - 04.2025
Deputy Fire Chief
Ft. Irwin Fire
02.2022 - 12.2022
Training Captain / AEMT
Williston
02.2016 - 04.2022
Supervisory Firefighter/EMT
Palominas Fire District
07.2014 - 02.2016
Security/Communications Contractor
Self
05.2012 - 07.2015
Senior Field Technician
General Dynamics
01.2011 - 08.2011
Firefighter/EMT
Whetstone Fire District
06.2008 - 07.2014
Firefighter
Douglas Fire Department
06.2008 - 10.2010
Soldier- Team Leader
US ARMY
02.1996 - 12.2006
Associate's degree - Fire Science
Waldorf University
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