Richard Wells
Hiram,GA
Summary
Motivated fire officer with 20-year track record of professional service to the government, private sector, and the public community. I have steadily progressed through the fire service ranks, mastering technical skills at each level. Diplomatic and tactful with management and labor professionals at all levels. Accustomed to handling sensitive situations, and confidential records. Demonstrated history of producing accurate and timely reports meeting stringent guidelines. Poised and competent with demonstrated ability to easily transcend differences. Consensus builder with excellent team-building skills.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
ASSISTANT CHIEF FIRE PREVENTION
Department Of Defense Air Force
Marietta, GA
01.2022 - Current
- Established effective communication channels between departments to facilitate information sharing.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines within budget constraints.
- Ensured annual inspections of over 150 plus facilities were conducted in a timely manner
- Supervised FACC program to include 5 personnel ensuring personnel have the tools to effectively conduct mission requirements providing coverage 24 hours 7 days a week.
- Performed plan reviews for new construction projects ranging in cost from 10k to 91 million.
- Prepared reports documenting findings during an inspection or investigation including photographs when necessary for review by management personnel.
- Arranged for replacement of defective firefighting equipment and repair of fire alarm systems.
- Conduct periodic review of 7 employee’s performance plans
- Coordinated with external stakeholders such as vendors or customers regarding project timelines or deliverables for base functions.
- Organized training sessions for 19 staff members to build their technical skillset and improve their productivity with Mach alert system.
- Performed research activities to identify new opportunities that could benefit the organization's growth strategy.
- Ensured safety protocols were followed at all times by monitoring employee behavior in the workplace.
- Reviewed existing processes regularly to identify areas of improvement and implement necessary changes.
- Addressed customer queries promptly through emails or phone calls prompt response within 3 business days.
- Attended Senior leadership staff meetings representing the department in Fire Chief absence.
- Provided updates to Fire Chief regarding investigations, policy changes and personnel matters.
- Conducted or 50 job interviews and hired new employees to accommodate department needs.
- Assisted in development, implementation and monitoring of department budget and recommended relevant changes.
- Successfully negotiated with vendors to receive best pricing and terms.
- Established open door policy to foster environment of respect between employees and management.
- Interacted with 20 customers and vendors weekly with utmost professionalism to solve various problems.
- Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
- Reviewed employee performance and provided ongoing feedback and coaching to drive performance improvement.
- Interviewed prospective employees and provided input to HR on hiring decisions.
- Mediated conflicts between employees and facilitated effective resolutions to disputes.
- Filled in as Operations Chief to support new NDAA daily management of 12 personnel
- Ensure proper timekeeping by conducting audits in ATAAPS
- Extended use of FES-IMS, NFPA,UFC
- Facility manager signing authority on over 300 work orders/332's per year.
- Community outreach development visited 15 schools to promote fire prevention.
- Conducted over 35 facility tours in support base functions
- Visited over 20 schools to promote Joint STEM and Fire project with Cobb County School district
- Wing Inspection Team member (WIT)
- Base confined space team member
Fire Inspector
Department of Defense
Marietta, GA
12.2019 - 01.2022
- Conducted fire safety inspections of over 100 plus facilities commercial and residential properties to ensure compliance with local, state and federal regulations.
- Inspected fire protection systems such as smoke detectors, fire alarms, sprinkler systems and other related equipment for proper operation.
- Reviewed blueprints and other documents of over 20 facilities to determine code compliance for new construction projects.
- Conducted periodic testing of alarm systems and other fire prevention equipment in accordance with established protocols.
- Drafted detailed reports summarizing findings from inspections and investigations conducted, including recommendations for corrective actions where needed.
- Visited 15 schools to promote awareness about the importance of fire safety practices.
- Maintained accurate records of 100 facilities pertaining to all inspections performed and any follow-up actions taken.
- Verified that all building exits are clearly marked, unobstructed and meet applicable standards for egress routes.
- Monitored existing buildings for changes that could affect their ability to comply with current codes.
- Followed up with previous violators to confirm corrective action was taken.
- Tested and approved newly installed fire protection systems.
- Inspected grill hoods, ducts and exhaust fans to identify and remove hazards.
- Conducted facility manger classes for 18 plus personnel quarterly
- Taught public education courses on fire safety and prevention strategies.
- Dispatched firefighting personnel to handle routine service calls and complex emergencies.
FIREFIGHTER/DRIVER OPERATOR
Department Of Defense Air Force
Marietta, GA
10.2018 - 12.2019
- Assisted in responding to emergency calls, assessing situations, and providing necessary medical aid.
- Maintained firefighting equipment, including hoses and ladders, on a daily basis.
- Conducted regular safety inspections of buildings to identify any potential hazards.
- Performed search and rescue operations in hazardous environments.
- Provided educational presentations regarding fire prevention techniques to local schools and businesses.
- Operated specialized equipment such as pumps, aerial ladder trucks, and hazardous material units.
- Extinguished fires using water hoses, chemical extinguishers, smoke ejectors, and other tools.
- Responded quickly to hazardous materials incidents by containing spills or leaks with appropriate protective gear.
- Evaluated incident scenes for possible victims requiring medical attention or evacuation assistance.
- Prepared detailed reports concerning all activities at emergency scenes.
- Coordinated with other first responders during multi-agency responses.
- Communicated effectively with crew members while performing tasks under stressful conditions.
- Inspected vehicles for proper operation prior to use on emergency calls.
- Responded promptly to medical emergencies such as heart attacks or stroke victims.
- Transported injured persons safely from accident sites to hospitals for treatment.
- Assisted in cleaning up hazardous materials following an incident scene.
- Provided support services during natural disasters such as floods or hurricanes.
- Facilitated public education programs about fire safety awareness.
- Responded immediately to alarms for fires, vehicle accidents and other emergency situations.
- Cleaned, serviced and maintained fire apparatus in condition of readiness and performed general maintenance of fire department property.
- Trained continuously to maintain required physical fitness for demanding work.
- Laid hose lines and operated nozzles, pumps, hydrants and fire extinguishers.
- Answered emergency situations and assessed conditions to contain fires, assist victims and prevent escalation.
- Analyzed situations to quickly adopt courses of action with regard to surroundings and circumstances.
ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF – OPERATIONS
Vectrus Systems
Kuwait, Kuwait
05.2016 - 10.2017
- Supervised a shift of 29 firefighters
- Used my knowledge in basic as well as specialized equipment to ensure personnel in my response area were trained to mitigate any emergency response
- Responsible for an area covering 150 square miles and was required to implement emergency response plans for emergencies ranging from trash fires to major air craft crashes
- Incident Commander on a variety of emergency incidents to include but not limited to aircraft mishaps/crashes, structural fires, hazardous materials mitigation and emergency medical responses
- Provided oversight on the inspections of over 700 facilities at 4 distinct geographical locations
- Participated in the planning, and evaluation of all base wide exercises with the US Army
- Trained newcomers on the importance of fire safety and actions to take to ensure proper notification
- Initiated joint training with the Kuwaiti Fire Service to validate
cohesiveness and ensure success
ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF- PREVENTION
Vectrus Systems
Kuwait, Kuwait
05.2010 - 08.2012
- Planned and arranged fire prevention training for United States Army personnel
- Key member in the plans review and work orders review for facilities on camp
- Examined fire scenes, gathered information, analyzed data, and collected evidence regarding fire causes.
- Inspected and tested fire alarm systems at all facilities on camp.
- Developed incident action plans for bulk fuels storage facilities on camp
- Conducted Weekly facility manager classes for Army personnel.
- Attended weekly command staff meetings
- Assisted Kuwaiti government with inspections of facilities off camp.
- Conducted live fire extinguisher training
- Responsible for all activities during Fire Prevention Week i
Education
High School Diploma -
South Cobb High School
Austell, GA05-1997
Skills
- Customer Acquisition
- Partnership Development
- Human Resources Management
- Cost Control
- Project Planning
- Employee Development
- Customer Service
- Process Improvement
- Revenue Forecasting
- Emergency Response
- Policy administration
- Staff Management
- Budget Management
- Schedule Management
- Excellent Communication
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Team Collaboration
- Active Listening
- Time management abilities
- Interpersonal Communication
- Problem-solving abilities
- Continuous Improvement
- Customer Relationship Management
- Relationship Building
Affiliations
- Coach Youth Basketball Hillgrove High School
Accomplishments
- Fire Prevention Team of the year 2022/2023
- Fire Officer of the Quarter
- Fire Officer of the Quarter
- Civ CAT II Quarterly Award Winner
- Joint Service Achievement Medal
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- Air Force Good Conduct Medal
Certification
- Fire Officer III
- Fire Instructor III
- Fire Inspector III
- Driver/Operator Pumper
- Driver/Operator ARFF
- Driver/Operator Mobile Water Supply
- Driver/Operator Aerial
- Haz-Mat Trainer the Trainer
- FEMA ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800
- NREMT – Mar 2026
- Telecommunicator I
- Active Secret Clearance
Professional References
Assistant Chief Antwaun McClelland - antwaun.mcclelland.1@us.af.mil- 505-895-3529
Fire Chief Marvin Whisby – mlwhisby@gmail.com - 404-725-2106
Fire Chief Kenneth Garris - Ken.Garris@yahoo.com - 210-255-0533
Timeline
ASSISTANT CHIEF FIRE PREVENTION
Department Of Defense Air Force
01.2022 - Current
Fire Inspector
Department of Defense
12.2019 - 01.2022
FIREFIGHTER/DRIVER OPERATOR
Department Of Defense Air Force
10.2018 - 12.2019
ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF – OPERATIONS
Vectrus Systems
05.2016 - 10.2017
ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF- PREVENTION
Vectrus Systems
05.2010 - 08.2012
High School Diploma -
South Cobb High School
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