MANUEL CRUZ
Orange Cove,CA
Summary
Dynamic Wildland Firefighter with North Fork Crane Valley Hotshots, recognized as Hotshot of the Year 2025. Expert in wildfire suppression and fireline construction, leveraging advanced chainsaw operations and strong crew leadership to enhance safety and operational efficiency. Proven ability to analyze fire behavior and manage risks in high-pressure environments.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER
NORTH FORK CRANE VALLEY HOTSHOTS
North Fork, CA
05.2023 - Current
- Perform wildfire suppression and fuels management operations during extended 24–36-hour shifts in demanding terrain and weather conditions.
- Execute direct fireline engagement, backburn operations, structure protection, mop-up, and patrol of burned areas to identify and eliminate remaining hot spots.
- Perform chainsaw operations, including felling, bucking, brushing, and cutting for fireline construction and backburn operations.
- Hold a qualified faller card and perform felling operations in support of fire suppression and fuels projects.
- Advanced from tooler to saw team member, showcasing strong chainsaw skills and operational proficiency while fostering crew development.
- Conducted hazard assessments and applied risk-management principles to enhance crew safety during dynamic fire operations.
- Analyzed fire behavior and weather conditions to inform tactical decisions and ensure situational awareness.
- Communicate effectively with crew members and supervisors in high-pressure environments while maintaining accountability and span of control.
- Work effectively across diverse geographic regions and terrain, including international wildfire assignments in Canada.
Education
Wildland Fire Science Program
Reedley College
Reedley, CA05-2023
Skills
- Wildfire suppression
- Hotshot Crew Operations
- Fuels Reduction & Vegetation Management
- Prescribed Fire & Firing Operations
- Fire Behavior & Fire Weather
- Risk management
- Chainsaw Operations & Felling
- Faller Qualification (B Feller)
- Structure Protection & Mop-Up
- Wildland Urban Interface Operations
- Portable Pumps & Water Handling
- GPS navigation
- Radio Communications
- Crew Leadership & Team Coordination
- Equipment maintenance
Personal Information
Driving License: Class C Driver's License
TRAINING
- S-130 Wildland Firefighter Training — Dec. 2022
- S-190 Introduction to Fire Behavior — Dec. 2022
- L-180 Human Factors on the Fireline — Dec. 2022
- I-100 Introduction to Incident Command System — Dec. 2022
- IS-700b Introduction to NIMS — Dec. 2022
- S-211 Portable Pumps & Water Use — Mar. 2023
- S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws — Apr. 2023
- HAZMAT-FRA — Apr. 2023
- S-290 Intermediate Fire Behavior — Jan. 2024
- S-131 Firefighter Type 1 — Jan. 2024
- L-280 Followership to Leadership — Mar. 2024
- S-219 Firing Operations — Jun. 2024
- A-100 Basic Aviation Safety — Nov. 2024
- S-215 Wildland Urban Interface — Mar. 2025
- A-110 Aviation Transportation of Hazardous Materials — Apr. 2025
- A-200 Mishap Review — Apr. 2025
- A-219 Helicopter Transport of External Cargo — Apr. 2025
- First Aid / CPR / AED — May 2025
Accomplishments
- Leadership Award 2023
- Student of The Year 2023
- Hotshot of The Year 2025
Timeline
WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER
NORTH FORK CRANE VALLEY HOTSHOTS
05.2023 - Current
Wildland Fire Science Program
Reedley College