Matthew Nickelsen

I safely loaded and unloaded trucks using appropriate forklift attachments, reducing the risk of accidents or injuries. I helped keep the plant clean and organized by removing debris and returning unused pallets to designated areas. I helped improving warehouse efficiency by skillfully operating forklifts to move, locate, and stack materials. I would occasionally wrap pallets in plastic wrap and attached merchandise tags to prepare for shipping. Lastly, I always adhered to safety protocols at all times to prevent accidents or injuries in the workplace.

As a construction laborer/equipment operator, I had many different responsibilities. I first started out as a pipe/wall crew laborer & I was the top man. As the top man, my job was to rig chains to the excavator so that operator could pick up and move sections of pipe & wall. I was also tasked with being the overwatch to make sure that the trenches didn't cave in, or the operator didn't hit any utilities. I then moved over to operating more equipment & I was tasked with digging trenches, compacting earth, & backfilling holes. I was able to join

Engineers Local 139 through this experience. I worked with Hoffman during the construction seasons of 2019 and 2023.

As a Lowe's paint associate, my job was to tint different kinds of paint & stains for the customer. I was also tasked with keeping the department fully-stocked & cleaned. I was trained on opening & closing department. I received my fork-lift, narrow-aisle reach truck, & order picker licenses all before my 90th day of work.

I then was promoted to Pro Loader. I would load customer vehicles with lumber, drywall, OSB etc. with the forklift and narrow aisle reach truck.

My first duty, even before I became a Wildland Firefighter, was to make sure I was in peak physical shape. When I became a Type 2 Wildland Firefighter it was part of my responsibility to perform wildland fire and prescribed fire duties including suppression, preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding, and mop-up. I was also apart of a hand crew. Hand crew duties including; packing heavy loads of fuel, food, water, and tools for miles over rough terrain in hot and smoky conditions to get to the work site. Lastly, when I was on a Fire Engine, I performed engine operation duties including running the pump, deploying hose lays, completing preventative engine maintenance checks, and effectively using water and additives.

I was in the Marine Corps for a short time, I received an Honorable Discharge though. As a United States Marine I pride myself with outstanding physical and mental toughness for handling changing situations with superior reaction time and adaptability. Thorough knowledge of combat weaponry operation and maintenance as well as installation and neutralization procedures for a wide variety of explosive devices.

As a Kitchen Crew Member I was tasked with opening and closing the kitchen. I had to perform daily maintenance on the grill and fryers to make sure they operated the right way & so that they were clean. I also had to cook food to order quickly

& make sure the presentation was appealing.

I started working here when I was 14 years old on a workers permit. I got paid a weekly salary of $250 to do dishes for 400+ kids each day for the entire summer. When it came time for the fall, it slowed down and I became a prep cook and would rotate to whichever needed more help.