Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
References
Awards
Timeline
Generic

Michael W. Maurin

Glenwood,MN

Summary

Dynamic Forestry Technician with extensive experience at Tahoe Helitack, excelling in fire suppression and aerial operations. Proven leadership in chainsaw management and effective communication, ensuring crew safety and operational readiness. Recognized for adaptability in high-pressure environments, consistently achieving mission objectives while fostering teamwork and continuous improvement.

Overview

4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

FORESTRY TECHNICIAN

SWAN VALLEY HELITACK
Swan Valley, ID
03.2025 - Current
  • Company Overview: Caribou Targhee National Forest
  • Performed as a senior firefighter on a Type-3 exclusive use helicopter that responds to incidents within the Caribou-Targhee National forest and Region 4. Missions include: fire suppression, sling missions, troop shuttles, aerial ignition, and reconnaissance flights.
  • As a senior crewmember it is my job to ensure fire readiness of the crew and helicopter for the day. That includes: physical and mental fitness, tools and chainsaws are sharp and running properly, bambi bucket and longline are in working order and packaged properly, crewmembers manifested, weight and balance sheets completed, inspection of the helicopter, and any accessory equipment we might need is in working order.
  • As an IC5 trainee I was tasked with being in command of small fires. This includes developing a suppression plan and deploying small numbers of firefighters ensuring their safety and well-being, updating dispatch on the status of resources and the fire, that work-to-rest guidelines are followed, and ordering all necessary equipment supplies or additional resources to the fire, and suppressing the fire or briefing a higher qualified incident commander and turning the incident over to them.
  • I am the chainsaw and pump manager for the module. Duties include: ensuring saws and pumps are fire ready, maintaining an inventory of all saw parts on trucks and in the cache, replacing saw parts through ordering or acquiring S-numbers through general messages, confirming rehab and maintenance is completed and documented, maintaining a 'Saw rehab standard' within the organization, overseeing the quantity quality and mixing of saw gas, and coordinating professional maintenance when necessary.
  • Continued my education of tree species, different hazards associated with trees (fire weakened, fungal issues, rot, cat faces, hung up or jack strawed), different types of cutting plans or sequencing of cuts in order to test for my B-faller certification during the season.
  • As a senior on the crew it is my responsibility to be a buffer between the seasonals and overhead. In some instances, this meant helping resolve internal issues or conflicts at the lowest level possible. Other times it took on the role of being a friend and someone to lend an ear as the strains on the season took its toll.
  • Additionally, it was my job to lead training before the helicopter came on contract and throughout the season as time allowed. During down time I would frequently engage the crew in scenarios or tactical decision games that were aimed at their level or slightly above their level competency to help create mental slides and mimic real-life scenarios. The side effect of this was that it reinforced my knowledge and provided possibilities I had not thought of.
  • This season I took time to start developing and refining my leadership style. Reading books and taking what I admired in former coworkers and applying it, seeing what works for different personalities and people of different backgrounds, learning about conflict resolution, communication styles, and how to blend all of this together to create a cohesive unit.
  • Mentoring and training our seasonal employees and trainees.
  • With the lay offs and early retirements on our forest our engines, trails, and recreation crews were short handed. I volunteered myself to help them and was able to help build two bridges in the Teton Canyon, participate in several cutting projects, and respond to wildfires.
  • Caribou Targhee National Forest

FORESTRY TECHNICIAN

TAHOE HELITACK
Nevada City, CA
04.2024 - 12.2024
  • Company Overview: Tahoe National Forest
  • All duties, tasks, and responsibilities from my first year on Tahoe Helitack.
  • Performed as a permanent firefighter on a Type-2 exclusive use helicopter ranging from initial attack, extended attack as well as daily and helibase operations.
  • During the season I expanded upon my knowledge of aircraft capabilities, their strengths and weaknesses in different environments, and how best to utilize what type of aircraft according to the needs of the mission and environment.
  • Expanded upon my knowledge of how to be a good helicopter crewmember.
  • Directed helicopter operations that included directing bucket drops on wildfires, directing and managing sling missions, and managing helispots for cargo and troop transport.
  • As a crewmember I was tasked with setting up a mobile retardant base. That included finding a suitable location, helping set up the site, directing helicopters in and out of the dipsite, ensuring daily fire readiness for the contractors as well as water tender operators, and cleaning up and making repairs to the site in accordance to the land use agreement.
  • As a crewmember I was responsible for keeping track of and submitting my own times and arranging my own travel. Occasionally I would be tasked to go into paycheck8 and correct or submit another crewmember’s times if they were on assignment and not available to do it themselves.
  • Tahoe National Forest

FORESTRY TECHNICIAN

AMERICAN RIVER HOTSHOTS
Foresthill, CA
05.2023 - 10.2024
  • Company Overview: Tahoe National Forest
  • Served as a crewmember on Type 1 interagency hotshot crew.
  • Under the most adverse topography, terrain, climate and varying fuel types I participated in and was actively engaged in fire suppression and fuels management. Further expanding my knowledge of fire suppression tactics and firing operations.
  • Continued development of my knowledge of weather, topography, fuels and how they interact in the fire environment.
  • I expanded my proficiency in the use of maps (digital and paper) to identify routes of travel in remote country, topographical features, potential hazards, and routes of ingress/egress.
  • Performed all aspects of wildland fire and prescribed fire operations including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding, and mop-up.
  • One of the duties I was tasked with during fire suppression and fuels management on my module was monitoring weather. During this time, I was responsible for collecting fire weather data (temperature, winds, relative humidity, probability of ignition) during the work shift to monitor trends and alert the crew of those trends.
  • In the chase vehicle I was responsible for alternating driving to safely get to and from incidents, navigating the driver to our designated work zones within an active wildfire area and daily maintenance checks of the vehicle for ourselves and cargo.
  • Proficient in the use of hand tools. Sharpening, maintaining, and use in direct and indirect fireline construction.
  • On the crew, I started on the Pulaski and eventually worked my way up to third swamper for a couple of rolls.
  • Tahoe National Forest

Firefighter, Engine Crew Member, First Responder

North San Juan Fire Protection District
North San Juan, CA
04.2021 - 04.2024
  • Respond to various emergency calls including structural and wildland fires, vehicle accidents, hazardous materials spills, medical aids, and public assists.
  • Use radios in accordance with department guidelines and maps.
  • Connect and lay hose lines, select and operate hose nozzles according to conditions and supervisor directions, direct hose water and foam onto fires or provide back up by feeding hose lines; operate other fire extinguishing appliances.
  • Perform ventilation or entry procedures by opening up walls and other structures with the use of hand or power tools; raise, lower, and climb ladders to access buildings or rescue persons; make forcible entry into and enter burning buildings or other locations.
  • Perform salvage overhaul procedures to protect property by using salvage covers, brooms, mops, shovels, and similar equipment.
  • Perform search and rescue procedures utilizing hand and power tools, hydraulic tools, portable saws, chain saws, power generators, ropes, webbing and similar equipment.
  • Provide emergency medical aid to the ill and injured according to the scope of practice allowed by the local Emergency Medical Service Authority and department authority, operate any and all related emergency medical equipment that may be provided and is allowed within my scope of practice.
  • Participate in drills, demonstrations, and classes in firefighting techniques, medical aid, rescues, hazardous materials, vehicle extrication, confined space, and various equipment procedures.
  • Study local conditions and factors affecting fire operations.
  • Study departmental policy and safety procedures.
  • Study inspection regulations and fire prevention laws.
  • Maintain physical fitness and health.
  • Inspect business and institutional occupancies and perform follow up procedures to ensure compliance with fire codes, state, and local regulations.
  • Participate in local school fire prevention programs by presenting and preparing presentations.
  • Perform other public education activities to promote fire safety and public awareness.
  • Writing and submitting reports and records.
  • Participate in maintenance of fire department equipment and facilities.

FORESTRY TECHNICIAN

TAHOE HELITACK
Nevada City, CA
04.2022 - 12.2022
  • Company Overview: Tahoe National Forest
  • Performed as a seasonal firefighter on a Type-2 exclusive use helicopter ranging from initial attack, extended attack as well as daily and helibase operations.
  • I successfully passed the work capacity test at the arduous level.
  • I respond to a large volume of initial and extended attack wildland fire incidents as a member of an exclusive use, Type 2 helicopter module, working extensively with different agencies.
  • Ensure fire readiness, safety, and conducting myself in a professional manner.
  • Communicate with colleagues and supervisors to gather information in order to safely, effectively, and thoroughly perform tasks assigned.
  • At our duty station my duties included but were not limited to daily truck checks and preventative maintenance, station labor and general maintenance of the facilities.
  • Proficient in the safe operation, maintenance, and repair of wildland fire chainsaws.
  • Obtained my A-faller certification.
  • Proficient at identifying potential helispot, slingsite, dipsite locations and managing those accordingly.
  • Proficient with the use and maintenance of hand tools.
  • Proficient at indirect and direct hand line construction used in wildfire suppression.
  • Proficient at patrolling areas of fires to mop-up and extinguish any burning material.
  • Proficient with the use of and maintenance of firing devices such as drip torches and fusees.
  • Proficient in manifesting, building, loading, and unloading internal and external cargo loads.
  • Proficient with the use of longlines and remote hooks that are used in external sling load operations.
  • Adept at inspecting longlines, swivels, cargo nets, bambi buckets, and remote hooks for damage and knowing where to look to find information on how to repair them or take them out of service.
  • Proficient in manifesting, loading, and unloading troop transports at helibase and remote helispots.
  • As a trainee on assignment in Alaska I was tasked with building and managing remote sling sites independently for full shifts. The duties included manifesting and building sling loads, removing trees to ensure safety of personnel, clear and concise communication with helicopter pilots and adjoining forces.
  • As a trainee on assignment in Alaska I was tasked with boat operations, which consisted of manifesting, building, and assisting with transport of supplies via rivers to drop points.
  • Served as the medical director on my module ensuring that monthly checks were completed on AED’s, medical bags were stocked, and the Epi-pen program was in compliance.
  • Became familiar with aviation capabilities, policy, and regulations.
  • Competently operate and program mobile and portable radios. Provided clear and concise communication with my supervisors, crewmembers, and adjoining forces.
  • Assisted the deck coordinator with helibase setup which included posting signs, flagging areas, placing pad markers, and securing objects that could be affected by rotor wash.
  • Worked with incident commander, medical, and helibase personnel.
  • Tahoe National Forest

Education

Wildland Firefighter Academy -

12.2022

Natural Sciences -

Sierra College
Grass Valley, CA
12.2012

Mechanical Engineering - Mechanical Engineering

University of South Alabama
Mobile, AL
05.2011

Mechanical Engineering - Mechanical Engineering

Faulkner State Community College
Bay Minette, AL
05.2010

Mechanical Engineering - Mechanical Engineering

Shelton State Community College
Tuscaloosa, AL
05.2007

Mechanical Engineering - Mechanical Engineering

Troy State University
Troy, AL
05.2005

Skills

  • Fire suppression
  • Aerial operations
  • Chainsaw management
  • Wildfire tactics
  • Helicopter operations
  • Emergency response
  • Conflict resolution
  • Situational awareness
  • Risk assessment
  • Effective communication
  • Adaptability in field
  • Problem-solving aptitude
  • Task prioritization
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Continuous improvement
  • Goal setting
  • Teamwork

Certification

  • Firefighter Type 1
  • Helicopter Crewmember
  • A-Faller
  • Expanded Dispatch Recorder
  • Incident Commander Type 5
  • (trainee)
  • Air Base Radio Operator (trainee)
  • Plastic Sphere Dispenser Operator (trainee)
  • Title 22 First Aid / CPR
  • Crew Resource Management
  • S-130 Firefighter Training
  • S-131 Firefighter Type 1
  • S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
  • S-211 Portable Pumps and Water Use
  • S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws
  • S-215 Fire Operations in the Wildland Urban Interface
  • S-219 Firing Operations
  • S-260 Interagency Incident Business Management
  • S-270 Basic Air Operations
  • S-271 Helicopter Crewmember
  • S-290 Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior
  • L-180 Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service
  • L-280 Followership to Leadership
  • ICS-100 Intro. to the Incident Command System
  • ICS-200 Incident Command System for Initial Response
  • ICS-700 National Incident Management System
  • ICS-800 National Response Framework
  • Confined Space Awareness
  • Hazmat FRO / DECON

References

  • Jason Flores, Battalion Chief, Tahoe National Forest, Nevada City, CA, jason.flores@usda.gov, 530-205-6174
  • Justin Buckbee, Captain, Tahoe Helitack H-514, Tahoe National Forest, Nevada City, CA, justin.buckbee@usda.gov, 530-288-3353
  • Kenon Smith, Senior Squad Boss, Tahoe Helitack H-514, Tahoe National Forest, Nevada City, CA, H514smith@gmail.com, 530-575-1302
  • Kyle Miller, Squad Boss, Tahoe Helitack, Tahoe National Forest, Nevada City, CA, Kyle.j.miller@usda.gov, 916-716-0296
  • Liam Cronan, Senior Firefighter, Tahoe Helitack, Tahoe National Forest, Nevada City, CA, Liam.cronan@usda.gov, 808-990-3377

Awards

Rookie of the Year, Tahoe Helitack, 2022

Timeline

FORESTRY TECHNICIAN

SWAN VALLEY HELITACK
03.2025 - Current

FORESTRY TECHNICIAN

TAHOE HELITACK
04.2024 - 12.2024

FORESTRY TECHNICIAN

AMERICAN RIVER HOTSHOTS
05.2023 - 10.2024

FORESTRY TECHNICIAN

TAHOE HELITACK
04.2022 - 12.2022

Firefighter, Engine Crew Member, First Responder

North San Juan Fire Protection District
04.2021 - 04.2024

Wildland Firefighter Academy -

Natural Sciences -

Sierra College

Mechanical Engineering - Mechanical Engineering

University of South Alabama

Mechanical Engineering - Mechanical Engineering

Faulkner State Community College

Mechanical Engineering - Mechanical Engineering

Shelton State Community College

Mechanical Engineering - Mechanical Engineering

Troy State University

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