Thomas Krivanek

I was employed as an officer by the DOC for over 27 years. For 13 of these years I was a member of the DOC Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT), and also a DOC instructor for 9 of those years.

As an officer my responsibilities / duties included:

• Supervising inmates housed on dorm style , celled, and medical units.
• Supervising inmate workers assigned to units and write work evaluations when needed.
• Ensuring that inmates supervised did not have any serious health issues, if they did it was reported to medical.
• Performing regular (Safety & Security) checks on these units . Checking on inmates housed on these units and if there are any safety concerns ( water leaks, electrical issues, smoke, etc.).
• Observing Inmate behavior, and correcting it, if necessary, taking the approved steps.
• Enforcing all the rules of the institution.
• Working closely with medical staff to ensure medical treatment plans are being followed.
• Being trained for medical emergencies( CPR, First-Aid, AED, and Narcan spray ).
• Being aware of OHSA regulations in the workplace.
• Being trained in Cultural Diversity.
• Performing routine security duties( pat downs, strip searches, and area shakedowns).
• Identifying maintenance issues in the institution, and submitting work orders for repair.
• Transporting inmates to designated points throughout the state by vehicle ( armed depending on custody levels).
• Operating transportation vehicles to transport inmates(some equipped with a handicap lift).
• Operating control centers if assigned ( observing staff & inmates on the units sometimes utilizing CCT, opening doors/sliders as needed in the facility, and ensuring all safety protocols were being followed).

As a CERT member my responsibilities / duties included:

• Being specialty trained with electronics, batons, chemical munitions , firearms, etc. to resolve incidents within the institution and/or IDOC facilities throughout the state.
• Being very knowledgeable of DOC use of force.
• Reporting to all emergency calls within the institution and resolving those incidents.
• Utilizing my communication skills to talk to an inmate(s), that were not being compliant, to defuse the situation.
• Escorting or transporting high risk inmates in or out of of the institution.
• Enforcing all the rules/policies of the department to maintain the safety & security of the institution.
• Executing all medical orders given by medical doctors within the facility.
• Applying specialty restraints to inmates/patients housed on medical units.
• Performing cell extractions on non compliant inmates.
• Assigning duties, throughout the officer pool, to cover assignments on the shift.

As a DOC instructor my duties / responsibilities included:

• Being knowledgeable in the areas of training for which I was certified ( chemical munitions, oleoresin capsicum( OC), specialty impact munitions(SIMs), and distraction devices.
• Being Knowledgeable with all our inventory in our armory, and how the DOC use of force policy is applied inside our institution.
• Training line staff and CERT on a set schedule, to keep certification, and state documentation current.
• Tracking weapons, gear, and munitions in/out as an armorer (compliant to BATF regulations).
• Keeping track of armory inventory, rotating munitions out with expired shelf life, and ordering in new inventory.
• Ensuring that armory weapons & equipment are good to go in an emergency ( tanks inspected/charged -weapons are operational, power supplies charged, etc. ).
• Establishing and maintaining a respirator program for our institution compliant with OHSA standards. This included fit testing staff annually.

As an engine specialist mechanic:

• I worked on a variety of caterpillar engines in a variety of applications( construction, agricultural, power generating, marine, & over-the-road ).
• I was trained to work on both mechanical and electronically controlled engines.
• I was trained to troubleshoot and repair all systems associated with CAT engines. This sometimes meant utilizing a Superflo chassis dynamometer.
• I was also trained to troubleshoot and repair other systems related to heavy equipment ( hydraulic, injection, electrical, braking, power-train, air conditioning, etc. ). I was utilized throughout our location when help was needed.
• I am also trained in performing in-frame and out-of-frame complete engine overhauls, lower-end overhauls, tune-ups, and rebuilding and re-rating engines.
• During a course of a job I would : troubleshoot(if needed), disassemble component(s), order part components, clean parts, reassemble, and operate component(s) to check for leaks and operation. We had to be very good with time-management to meet our flat rate jobs.
• I was also familiar with OSHA / NIOSH standards. We were also required to do periodical OSHA inspections within our shop and file paperwork.
• I was also part of the "TEAM" at this Caterpillar shop, meaning that if I was done with my job I kept going onto the next job. If there wasn't one, I assisted another mechanic that was working on another piece of equipment. If anyone needed help... inside the shop or in any other department...We All Helped Each Other.
• I was also the most senior mechanic (lead man) on our second shift, and I was assigned the task to ensure that all the scheduled jobs were completed on time. I also answered the phone for all service department calls and scheduled work . In addition, I also took care of the paperwork when the job was paid for.
• In addition, I am also experienced in operating Heavy Equipment in the field, and I currently possess a Class A commercial drivers license(CDL).