Matthew McDonough
Cabazon,CA
Summary
Dedicated fire professional with over 15 years of experience in the U.S. Forest Service, specializing in structure defense, wildfires, and emergency medical aids. Proven ability to manage high-stress situations while collaborating effectively with team members and partner agencies. Committed to mentoring new firefighters and enhancing operational efficiency as a Fire Equipment Operator.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Fire Captain
US FOREST SERVICE
Idyllwild, California
01.2025 - Current
- Led firefighting teams in emergency response operations during wildfires.
- Developed incident action plans to effectively manage fire suppression efforts.
- Coordinated training programs for firefighters on safety protocols and equipment use.
Fire Captain
Cal Fire
Palm Desert, CA
01.2024 - 01.2025
- Supported emergency response efforts at Cal Fire Riverside unit
- Supervised firefighting crews during wildland fire suppression operations.
- Coordinated training sessions for new firefighters on safety protocols and techniques.
- Developed incident action plans for effective emergency response strategies.
Supervisory Fire Engine Operator
San Bernardino NF
Cranston, CA
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Managed multiple fires as an incident commander type 4
- Responded to multiple fires as the Engine Boss
- Qualified Task force leader, strike team leader and strike team of crews
- Achieved qualification as logistics type 3 to support operational needs.
- Maintained station schedule to meet the agency mission
- Coordinated cross training with cooperators
- Made sure all crewmembers followed and abided by the forest/agency policies and regulations.
- Guided crewmembers by fostering open communication and addressing concerns.
- Conducted several district conference calls to ensure alignment on objectives.
- Managed station logistical needs for the year
- Created a comprehensive physical training and development plan for the station to enhance crew readiness and capabilities.
- Collaborated with cooperators to establish a cohesive station plan that strengthened partnerships between both agencies.
- Accessed in crew members' performance appraisals
- Developed crewmembers to help them promote to their next logical step within the US Forest Service.
Assistant Fire Engine Operator
United States Forest Service
Idyllwild, CA
01.2018 - 06.2022
- Extensive knowledge of engine operations, hydraulics, hose thread types, foam application, engine typing/capabilities, pumping techniques (series, parallel), drafting/ejecting, and utilize equipment where it is most valuable based on its capabilities.
- Operated engine on multiple wildland fires, medical aids, as well as structure defense.
- Led multiple burn projects as an RXB3, coordinating with state and local resources and AQMD to establish tactics and allocate resources for holding, contingency, and firing operations.
- Coordinated orders and purchases for the station, ensuring all equipment and supplies were readily available for operations.
- Developed and implemented a physical training program focused on educating crew about fire behavior, fire weather, and the physical demands of firefighting.
- Instructed and led crew in multiple training exercises.
- Utilized scientific methods to collect and process live fuel moisture data and prepare reports for forest staff as well as the National Database.
- Instructed and led crew in multiple training exercises.
- Have over a year and a half of experience as a (GS-6) assistant fire engine operator.
- Developed tactics and assigned resources for holding, contingency, and firing operations during burn projects.
- Utilized scientific methods to collect and process live fuel moisture data and prepared reports for forest staff as well as the National Database.
- Supported operations in San Bernardino National Forest.
Fire Engine Operator
United States Forest Service
Cabazon, CA
02.2020 - 01.2022
- Acted in place of SFEO multiple days a week, establishing and maintaining schedules, work plans, and crew time reports to ensure operational efficiency.
- Facilitated cross-training sessions with cooperators to enhance skill sharing.
- Made sure all crewmembers followed and abided by the forest/agency policies and regulations.
- Maintained a working relationship with crewmembers by maintaining an 'open door policy' where could resolve any informal complaints and help guide/lead them in the right direction.
- Facilitated multiple district conference calls to ensure effective communication among team members.
- Managed station logistical needs for the year
- Designed a development plan to enhance station operations.
- Collaborated with cooperators to create a station plan, fostering cohesion between both agencies while sharing resources.
- Developed crewmembers to help them promote to their next logical step within the US Forest Service.
- Managed operations at San Bernardino National Forest to ensure compliance with agency standards.
Fire Engine Operator
United States Forest Service
Mountain Center, CA
06.2019 - 10.2019
- Communicated and established the expectations for the crewmembers from the GS 8 down to the GS 3 level.
- Helped provide advice to crewmembers on how to develop themselves within the agency.
- Provided a safe and comprehensive training program to help crewmembers perform under arduous conditions as a wildland firefighter.
- Managed all district logistical needs for all fire replacement. As well as managed the district cache by making sure that there were enough items to support the logistical needs for a type 3 incident.
- Served as an incident commander on initial attack fires, medical aids, as well as fires within the wildland urban interface.
- Maintained all maintenance records for the station as well as all equipment records.
- Managed as well as led crew on the fire line where I implemented and maintained LCES.
- Operated fire engine on multiple incidents such as: wildland fires, structure defense, vehicle fires.
- Acted in the place of the SFEO multiple days a week, and established and maintained schedules, work plans and maintained crew time reports.
- Instructed and led comprehensive training exercises on hoselays, hand line construction, radio communications, basic ICS structure, vehicle maintenance, fire weather, fire behavior, and basic engine operations and tool maintenance.
- Made sure all crewmembers followed and abide by the forest/agency policies and regulations.
- Maintained open door policy to resolve informal complaints and provide guidance to crewmembers, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.
- Familiar with all of our agreements such as the CFMA (California fire management agreement), CFAA (California Fire Assistance Agreement), Local Agreements, MMA (Master Mutual AID), and who is involved in these agreements.
- Understanding of the Cost share agreements and the four methods such as initial attack agreement, you order you pay, acres burned, and the cost apportionment.
- Obtained a current Class B CDL to operate commercial vehicles.
- Worked at San Bernardino National Forest to support firefighting operations.
Forestry Tech. Apprentice
San Bernardino National Forest
Idyllwild, CA
10.2014 - 01.2018
- Lead three to five firefighters in fire suppression operations on both small and large incidents in various fuel types located throughout the United States.
- Assisted with instructing, including RT-130 Basic Fire Refresher and Forest level S-212 courses both in the classroom and field.
- Knowledge of portable pump operations such as the Mark III, and Mini Mark fire pumps.
- Complete my engine operator task book.
- Have had the opportunity to do daily logs, time reports, check in and demob for engine crew.
- Instruct courses including S-212, S-190, S-130, L-180 at the local level.
- ICT5 qualified.
- Class B CDL, I consistently act in the position of Engine operator/Driver.
- Operate engines and water tenders on active fires.
- Fill the role of FFT1 for the Tahquitz type 2 hand crew to maintain proper staffing levels per the Red Book.
- Completed my advanced academy and am now working on a fuels crew cutting fuel breaks, doing fuel reduction projects, as well as doing firing operations on controlled fires.
- Completed the basic academy program.
- Completed s215 as well as s210, L280, FI 110.
- Have safely operated the engine while driving as well as pumping hose lays.
- Gained foundational skills in operating firefighting engines through structured training.
- Safely draft and eject as I have had to on multiple fires.
- Have training in updating ROSS as well as pulling resource orders.
- Led firefighting operations during staffing shortages.
- Led training courses on Radio communication, fire behavior, and different types of weather conditions that may affect fire.
- Performed tasks such as daily engine checks, daily logs, SCBA checks, crew times, made sure the engine was fire ready, on a daily basis.
- Fostered positive relationships among personnel to promote teamwork and communication.
- Responded to a variety of incidents including wildland, wild land urban interface/intermix, and structure fires.
- Acquired supplies for the next operational shift, including medical equipment, hose, brass, and logistical supplies for the crewmembers.
- Filled out general messages, crew time reports, and fire time reports.
- Streamlined inventory management for PPE, medical equipment, saws, hose, and fire equipment, enhancing readiness for crew activities.
- Cared for and maintained fire tools and the engine.
- Completed weather observations on incidents monitoring weather patterns and fire behavior.
- Operated chainsaw felling and bucking A and B trees.
- Contributed to district staffing needs as a fully qualified class 'B' Commercial driver.
- US Forest Service; USDA
Forestry Tech.
San Bernardino National Forest
Idyllwild, CA
05.2013 - 11.2013
- Maintained tools, cached supplies, and prepared all equipment for fire readiness.
- Knowledge of fire behavior and the effects fuels weather and topography play on fire behavior.
- Gained knowledge of tree felling operations, focusing on safety and efficiency.
- Have been a part of multiple firing operations on small and large incidents.
- Maintained tools and supplies, ensuring equipment was fire ready for operational readiness.
- Participated in multiple firing operations for both small and large incidents.
- Communicated and coordinated with fixed wing aircraft as well as helicopters on bucket drops and retardant drops.
- Coordinated with fixed wing aircraft and helicopters for effective bucket and retardant drops during fire suppression efforts.
- Managed logistical supply needs for the crew during assignments.
- Provided leadership to a squad of up to 10 firefighters.
- US Forest Service; USDA
Forestry Tech.
San Bernardino National Forest
Idyllwild, CA
05.2008 - 11.2008
- Acquired knowledge of fire weather and fire behavior to enhance firefighting capabilities.
- Applied safe and proper techniques for tool maintenance to ensure operational readiness.
- Achieved certification in s130, s190, and lces to meet training requirements for fire management.
- Acquired certifications in s130, s190, and lces to improve firefighting skills.
- US Forest Service; USDA
Education
High School Diploma -
Beaumont High School
Beaumont, CASkills
- Incident command operations
- Emergency response coordination
- Incident management
- Fire suppression techniques
- Engine operation
- Firefighting equipment management
- Hazardous materials handling
- Hazardous materials management
Professional References
- Matthew Ahearn, United States Forest Service, San Bernardino National Forest, Battalion Chief 31, matthew.ahearn@usda.gov, 951-315-5856
- Daniel Diaz, United States Forest Service, San Bernardino National Forest, Captain 54/Battalion 52 (Detail), daniel.diaz@usda.gov, 951-659-6208
- Garth Crow, United States Forest Service, San Bernardino National Forest, Captain 56, garth.crow@usda.gov, 951-659-4638
- Chris Fogle, United States Forest Service, San Bernardino National Forest, Battalion 53, chris.fogle@usda.gov, 909-486-1710
Incident Qualifications
- CRWB Crew Boss
- ICT5 Incident Commander Type 5
- ENGB Engine Boss
- RXB3 Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 3
- FFT1 Firefighter Type 1
- FIRB(T) Firing Boss Trainee
- FFT1 Firefighter Type 2
- Strike team of crews
- ENOP Engine Operator
- Striketeam leader
- ICT4 Incident Commander 4
- EQPM (T) Equipment Manager
- Task Force leader
- Logistics section chief type 3
Professional Highlights
- Currently a captain with Cal Fire Riverside unit
- Completed Cal Fire FFA and Cal Fire Company officer academy
- Geographic Engine Academy Graduate
- NTE 120 Day Temporary Promotion (FEO) Fire Engine Operator Station 56
- District Logistical Manager for all District fire replacement and orders
Timeline
Fire Captain
US FOREST SERVICE
01.2025 - Current
Fire Captain
Cal Fire
01.2024 - 01.2025
Supervisory Fire Engine Operator
San Bernardino NF
01.2022 - 01.2024
Fire Engine Operator
United States Forest Service
02.2020 - 01.2022
Fire Engine Operator
United States Forest Service
06.2019 - 10.2019
Assistant Fire Engine Operator
United States Forest Service
01.2018 - 06.2022
Forestry Tech. Apprentice
San Bernardino National Forest
10.2014 - 01.2018
Forestry Tech.
San Bernardino National Forest
05.2013 - 11.2013
Forestry Tech.
San Bernardino National Forest
05.2008 - 11.2008
High School Diploma -
Beaumont High School