Mark Ashby
Urbana,IL
Summary
Accomplished Battalion Chief at City Of Urbana, adept in Incident Command and fostering staff development. Spearheaded technology advancements, enhancing operational efficiency, and played a pivotal role in regional emergency preparedness. Cultivated a culture of continuous improvement, significantly reducing employee turnover and bolstering interagency coordination.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Battalion Chief
City Of Urbana
Urbana, IL
11.2023 - Current
- Established strong relationships with local government officials, community groups, and businesses to increase engagement and support for fire department initiatives.
- Coordinated fire prevention inspections and pre-planned activities of department.
- Championed advancements in technology usage within the department to improve operational efficiency during both daily activities and emergency situations.
- Collaborated with neighboring jurisdictions on regional emergency preparedness plans to ensure seamless response capabilities across borders during large-scale events or disasters.
- Oversaw budget management processes, ensuring proper allocation of resources while maintaining fiscal responsibility at all times.
- Contributed to successful public education initiatives designed to increase community awareness of fire prevention measures and general safety practices.
- Determined how to deploy personnel during periods requiring special fire department response and assigned activities.
- Supervised and coordinated tactical methodology used in resolving emergencies and other situations.
- Developed scheduling and coordination of shift staffing levels, changes and activities.
- Served as an effective liaison between firefighters under my command and upper-level administration to address concerns promptly while still upholding department policies and procedures.
- Managed multiple fire stations effectively, ensuring personnel were properly trained, equipped, and supervised for optimal performance.
- Developed and executed strategic plans for department growth, including improvements in infrastructure, equipment, and staffing levels.
- Reviewed fire reports and payroll entries of station officers to verify accuracy and completeness.
- Demonstrated strong leadership in high-pressure situations, successfully guiding teams through complex emergency incidents while minimizing risks to both responders and civilians.
- Reduced employee turnover rates within the battalion by cultivating a supportive work environment centered around mentorship and professional development opportunities.
- Promoted a culture of continuous improvement within the department by encouraging feedback from all personnel and prioritizing ongoing training opportunities.
Fire Lieutenant
City Of Urbana
Urbana, IL
03.2011 - 11.2023
- Inspected apparatus, equipment, grounds, and stations for proper order and condition.
- Prepared reports of fires, equipment and personnel.
- Increased firefighter safety by enforcing strict adherence to department policies and procedures during emergency operations.
- Collaborated with other fire departments for mutual aid support during major incidents, augmenting available resources as needed to ensure public safety objectives were met efficiently.
- Mentored new firefighters, fostering a positive work environment conducive to professional growth and development.
- Created comprehensive pre-incident planning documents to facilitate efficient responses in high-risk environments.
- Conducted thorough post-incident analysis sessions, utilizing lessons learned to refine operational guidelines and enhance future responses in similar situations.
Fire Apparatus Engineer
City Of Urbana
Urbana, IL
01.1999 - 03.2011
- Contributed to successful firefighting strategies by effectively communicating with incident commanders and crew members during emergencies.
- Enhanced firefighter safety by conducting thorough equipment inspections and maintenance on fire apparatus.
- Reduced property damage through strategic placement of fire apparatus during incidents.
- Improved emergency response times by efficiently navigating fire apparatus to incident locations.
Firefighter
City Of Urbana
Urbana, IL
03.1996 - 03.1999
- Performed life-saving procedures during medical emergencies, administering CPR and first aid as needed.
- Responded to emergency medical calls to perform lifesaving procedures and other emergency medical services.
- Collaborated with fellow firefighters to execute efficient firefighting strategies, mitigating property damage and loss of life.
- Drove and operated structural pumpers, tankers, ladders, and service vehicles to aid in rescue operations.
Skills
- Incident Command
- Firefighting tactics
- Operational Efficiency
- Fire suppression
- Technical knowledge
- Emergency Management
- Fire prevention
- Interagency Coordination
- Emergency communications
- Personnel Management
- Staff Scheduling
- Staff Development
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with Resource Management to Develop, write and administer the assessment center for our Engineers testing.
- Currently collaborating with city staff, and leading Fire Department personnel in procurement of equipment for 2 new fire stations, as well as identifying needs for furnishings for the stations.
Certification
- Emt License
- Firefighter 2
- Firefighter 3
- Fire Apparatus Engineer
- Confined Space operations
- Trench Operations
- Rope Rescue Technician
- Blue Card Incident Management
- Hazardous materials Operations
- Fire Officer 1
- Active Shooter Incident Management
- Advanced Fire Officer
Timeline
Battalion Chief
City Of Urbana
11.2023 - Current
Fire Lieutenant
City Of Urbana
03.2011 - 11.2023
Fire Apparatus Engineer
City Of Urbana
01.1999 - 03.2011
Firefighter
City Of Urbana
03.1996 - 03.1999