Michael Torres

As Training Captain at Black Forest, my duties include, but are not limited to:

- Overseeing day-to-day training and developing training schedules.

- Coordinating regional training and initiating new programs.

- Leading the Fire College of 2025 for the Colorado State Firefighter Association.

- Facilitating officer training and securing college partnerships for credentialing.

- Managing training grounds, budgeting, and monitoring training equipment.

- Maintaining task books and ensuring members achieve state certifications.

- Proctoring state-offered classes at our facility.

This role is essential for advancing member education and training.

• As a state proctor for Colorado, I am always ready to assist whenever needed. I travel throughout the state without hesitation, committed to being productive and giving my best in every situation. My focus is on supporting the assessment process and ensuring that everything runs smoothly, no matter the location or challenge.

- Leading Fire Officer classes and instructing Levels One and Two.

- Teaching fire tactics and operational strategies.

- Developing and revising curriculum.

- Engaging in research and development to enhance the fire science program.

This position focuses on training future fire service professionals effectively.

- Serving as a field instructor for basic operations and firefighter training.

- Developing curriculum and special applications for the program.

This role focuses on enhancing firefighter education and training.

As the Safety Manager at Corrosion Monitoring Service, your roles and responsibilities include:

1. **Safety Oversight**: You manage the safety department, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and protocols across the facility and job sites.

2. **High Angle Rope Rescue**: You oversee the high-angle rope rescue department, ensuring that all safety measures and training are in place for personnel involved in these operations.

3. **OSHA Training**: You serve as an OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 representative and instructor, providing training to employees on workplace safety standards and regulations.

4. **Site Safety Protocols**: You develop and implement on-site safety protocols, conducting regular assessments to identify and mitigate hazards.

5. **Collaboration with Large Companies**: You work closely with large clients to ensure their safety requirements are met, fostering a culture of safety within operations.

6. **Medical Backgrounds**: You are responsible for overseeing medical backgrounds and ensuring that safety protocols are tailored to the health needs of the workforce.

7. **Incident Prevention**: You focus on preventing accidents and injuries, and promoting a safe working environment for all employees.

Your commitment to safety is crucial in maintaining a secure workplace and ensuring compliance with industry standards.

• At the Illinois Fire Service Institute, your roles and responsibilities included serving as a field instructor and a subject matter expert in leadership and development. You contributed to curriculum building and taught specialized classes for various levels, including officer training and firefighter basic classes. Your work encompassed a wide range of educational offerings aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of firefighters.

Roles and responsibilities at the Chicago Fire Department included:

1. Fire suppression and emergency medical services (EMS).

2. Acting as a driver officer.

3. Serving as an instructor at the Academy.

4. Teaching multiple classes.

5. Developing curriculum.

6. Updating policy manuals, including the tower letter manual.

As a Romeoville fire instructor, your key responsibilities include:

1. **Instruction**: Teaching special operations, firefighter training, and company officer classes.

2. **Curriculum Development**: Creating and updating training materials.

3. **Skill Assessment**: Evaluating trainee proficiency through practical exercises.

4. **Safety Oversight**: Ensuring adherence to safety protocols.

5. **Mentorship**: Supporting the development of new and experienced firefighters.

6. **Collaboration**: Coordinating with other instructors on training schedules.

7. **Continuous Education**: Staying updated on firefighting techniques and regulations.

These duties ensure effective training for emergency response.

Your roles and responsibilities at the Hometown Fire Protection District included:

1. Progression from Volunteer: Started as a volunteer and advanced through the ranks.

2. Department Development: Helped transition the department into a full-time, part-time operation, ensuring coverage with up to four members daily.

3. First Response to ALS Care: Provided services from basic first response to Advanced Life Support (ALS) care.

4. Various Leadership Roles: Served as a fireman, lieutenant, captain, chief of training, deputy chief, and battalion chief.

5. Budget Management: Worked on budgeting and financial planning.

6. Standards and Policy Development: Set standards and developed policies, procedures, and guidelines.

7. Collaboration with Agencies: Collaborated with multiple agencies in MABAS 21.

8. Mutual Aid Agreements: Built and managed mutual aid agreements and regional training initiatives.

9. Leadership in Training: Led operations for regional training involving over 15 to 20 departments.

10. Conference Organization: Planned and managed large conferences in the area.

• At Northwest Homer Fire Protection District, my duties and responsibilities, though small, were foundational to my development. I gained valuable experience in water supply management, tender operations, and the use of porta tanks. This role taught me the importance of efficiency, especially in areas without nearby hydrants, and how to effectively utilize the resources available to ensure effective firefighting operations.

As an E-board member for the Colorado State Firefighter Association, your roles and responsibilities include:

1. Training and Education: You provide training across Colorado on various topics, including JPR-driven new technologies like electric vehicles, fire-related subjects, company officer responsibilities, and safety training.

2. Community Service: You offer these training sessions free of charge, emphasizing your commitment to improving the capabilities of fire departments without financial constraints.

3. Support and Development: Your goal is to help departments become the best versions of themselves by providing access to hard-to-find training and resources.

4. Representation: As the District 4 representative, you advocate for the needs and interests of your district within the association.

5. Collaboration: You enjoy working closely with different fire departments to enhance their operations and training opportunities.

Your dedication to service and training reflects a strong commitment to the firefighting community in Colorado.

• Your work with the NVFC aims to strengthen the volunteer fire service and ensure that Colorado's departments are equipped with the latest knowledge and resources. As the Director of State Representative for Colorado with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), your roles and responsibilities include: 1. Representation: You represent the interests and concerns of Colorado's volunteer fire departments at the national level, ensuring their voices are heard in discussions and decision-making. Communication: You share information from the national board back to Colorado, keeping local departments informed about new developments, resources, and best practices in the fire service. Committee Participation: You serve on several committees, including: - Retention and Recruitment: Focusing on strategies to attract and retain volunteer firefighters. - Health, Safety, and Training: Promoting best practices for the well-being and training of firefighters. - Finance: Addressing financial issues and funding opportunities for volunteer departments. - Legislative: Engaging with legislative matters that impact the fire service. Community Engagement: You seek ways to support and enhance the American fire service in Colorado, working collaboratively to address local needs and challenges. Pride in Service: You take pride in your role, emphasizing your commitment to the advancement and support of volunteer fire departments.

• As a dedicated local team member, I progressed from a steward to active participation on various committees, including political action, health and safety, training, and legislative negotiations. This experience has deepened my understanding of the vital relationship between management, leadership, and labor. By fostering collaboration, we successfully signed contracts and resolved numerous issues. On a larger scale, I have effectively worked with state officials to pass legislation and negotiate contracts, emphasizing that a cooperative relationship is crucial. This approach enables us to work together towards common goals rather than against one another, ultimately benefiting all parties involved.