Michael Contreras
Huntington Beach,CA
Summary
Motivated Firefighter/Paramedic with five years of service with the Orange County Fire Authority, currently assigned as a Haz Mat Firefighter/Paramedic at Station 79. Brings a strong instructional background through cadet academy instruction, live fire cadre, auto extrication cadre, skills evaluation, and mentorship of probationary firefighters. Committed to developing future firefighters through clear communication, professional instruction, accountability, physical readiness, and a safety-focused training environment. Seeking to serve as a Firefighter Academy Instructor and contribute to the continued success of OCFA recruit training.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Firefighter/Paramedic, Haz Mat Firefighter/Paramedic
Orange County Fire Authority
08.2020 - Current
- Respond to fire, EMS, and hazardous materials incidents while operating in a high-expectation all-hazards environment serving the Orange County community.
- Support firefighter development through hands-on instruction, drill-ground mentoring, and day-to-day training of probationary firefighters assigned to the crew.
- Contribute to department training initiatives through recurring cadre assignments in live fire and auto extrication, reinforcing safe performance standards and operational readiness.
- Serve in a specialized Haz Mat assignment while supporting department training efforts that emphasize readiness, accountability, and safe performance standards.
- Participate in community outreach programs to educate the public on fire safety practices.
- Conduct regular equipment checks and maintenance to uphold operational readiness and safety.
Injury Prevention Specialist
FMS Health and Safety
Irvine, CA
07.2015 - 07.2020
- Developed comprehensive injury prevention programs, enhancing community safety and reducing incident rates effectively.
- Led workshops for employees on ergonomic practices, significantly improving workplace safety standards and employee well-being.
- Presented fitness, stretching, injury prevention, and wellness topics to employee groups, translating practical health concepts into clear, audience-focused instruction while building experience in public speaking and group education.
- Leveraged data analysis tools to identify trends in workplace accidents, using this information to develop targeted interventions aimed at reducing injury rates.
Skills
- Interpersonal Communication
- Public Speaking and Instructional Presentation
- Relationship Building
- Microsoft Office
- Problem Solving
Certification
- SFT Firefighter 1
- SFT Firefighter 2
- SFT Instructor 1
- SFT Instructor 2
- SFT Regional Instructor Orientation (RIO)
- SFT Ethical Leadership
- SFT Lead Evaluator
- SFT Skills Evaluator
- Paramedic
- State-Certified Auto Extrication Instructor
Timeline
Firefighter/Paramedic, Haz Mat Firefighter/Paramedic
Orange County Fire Authority
08.2020 - Current
Injury Prevention Specialist
FMS Health and Safety
07.2015 - 07.2020
INSTRUCTIONAL, LEADERSHIP, AND EVALUATOR EXPERIENCE
- Live Fire Cadre | 2022-Current
- Auto Extrication Cadre | 2022-Current
- Cadet Post 3 Lead Advisor | 2022-2024
- Cadet Academy Instructor | 2021-2025