Nicolas Riddall
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Dynamic fire service leader with a proven track record at building highly successful teams and successful project management. I have 23 years of LAFD experience, including two years at Critical Incident Planning and Training Section, four years as a hazmat coordinator in the Joint Hazard Assessment Team, and 18 years of operational level influence. Candidate with a strong blend of field operations, project management, logistical support, and unified command who supports organizational readiness, risk reduction, and member development.
Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Captain II
LAFD
01.2024 - Current
- Plan, conduct, evaluate and document large-scale training for large-scale incidents and events.
- Manage the Department's Incident Command System (ICS) training program.
- Staff, operate, train for, and maintain specialized Command Post apparatus.
- Function as the Plans Section during a large incident or event where an Incident Management Team is not present.
Captain II
LAFD
03.2023 - 02.2024
- Assure the members of Fire Station 63 were properly trained, equipped, and ready to handle any type of emergency incident we were dispatched to.
- Conducted pre-fire planning inspections of occupancies in the district and ensure public safety at all times.
- Managed emergency incidents as the incident commander managing risks, tactics, and operational needs as an all-hazard incident commander.
Captain I
LAFD
02.2019 - 03.2023
- Served as the LAFD's liaison at the Joint Regional Intelligence Center (JRIC), and the FBI's 6 county regional Terrorism Liaison Officer (TLO).
- Respond to emergency hazardous materials incidents and served as the technical specialist and liaison between command teams and the LAFD hazmat crews.
- Coordinated training for both LAFD and a network of technical and qualified response partners within the broader Los Angeles region.
Captain I
LAFD
06.2018 - 03.2019
- Station Commander who developed a qualified team ready to respond to emergency incidents within the busiest district in battalion 11.
- Responded to emergencies as dispatched and operated as the first arriving officer.
- Assured that the members maintained a high level of discipline, performance, and readiness.
Engineer of the Fire Department
LAFD
06.2008 - 06.2018
- Drive, maintain, and operated fire engines with safe, capable, and expeditious skill.
- Trained firefighters to perform the duties of both firefighter and apparatus engineer.
- Acted as fire captain when the officer was on Department business
- Chosen to special projects, including engineer tests.
Education
Master of Science - Homeland Security
Naval Postgraduate School
Monterey, CA03-2023
Certificate - Leadership
LAFD Leadership Academy
Los Angeles, CA08-2016
Bachelor of Science - English
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA05-1998
Skills
- Emergency Response Planning
- Incident Command System (ICS)
- Firefighting Strategies
- Personnel Leadership
- Resource Allocation
- Public Safety Education
- Disaster Preparedness
- Interagency Collaboration
Accomplishments
- Implemented training programs, improving efficiency by 20%
- Led high-profile disaster response reducing total response time
Certification
Paramedic License
Hazardous Materials Specialist (Type I, deployable)
Urban Search and Rescue (1710 Compliance)
Engine Boss (Type I, deployable)
ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800, (TEEX and CSTI Instructor of all)
Driver Operator 1A, 1B
JRIC, Regional TLO instructor
Division Supervisor (certified)
HSEEP - Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluator Program
Large-Scale Event Management Cert through NCS4
Timeline
Captain II
LAFD
01.2024 - Current
Captain II
LAFD
03.2023 - 02.2024
Captain I
LAFD
02.2019 - 03.2023
Captain I
LAFD
06.2018 - 03.2019
Engineer of the Fire Department
LAFD
06.2008 - 06.2018
Master of Science - Homeland Security
Naval Postgraduate School
Certificate - Leadership
LAFD Leadership Academy
Bachelor of Science - English
San Diego State University
Projects and Committees
Regional Training Group - Green Cell Cadre
Engineer Practical - Engineer Cadre
Engineer Practical - CII on interview panel
LAFD Live Fire / Smoke Recognition Cadre
Logs section officer for all FIMT's
LAFD Intelligence Officer - maintaining DHS/FBI "Special" Clearance
LAFD's TEEX representative for Incident Command Curriculum
HSEEP qualified table top exercise facilitator and evaluator
CIPTS - 2025 LAFD "Unit of the Year"
LAFD Olympic Planning Section