Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Languages
Awards
References
Timeline
Generic

VICTOR CHAVEZ-RIVERA

Castaic,CA

Summary

Dynamic forestry and firefighting expert with extensive experience at Iron Mountain Forestry and California Conservation Corps. Demonstrated leadership in crew management and safety compliance, alongside proficiency in chainsaw operation and heavy machinery. Effectively trained teams and implemented fire suppression strategies, significantly improving operational efficiency and safety in high-pressure environments.

Overview

7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Helicopter Logger

Iron Mountain Forestry
Coal Creek, CO
11.2023 - Current
  • Forestry professional who cuts down trees for wood, works in the lumber industry, and operates heavy machinery while collaborating with helicopters.
  • Inspected trees for signs of disease and pest infestation.
  • Operated machinery such as skidders, tractors, and log loaders.
  • Conducted safety inspections on logging equipment.
  • Loaded logs onto trucks or rail cars for transportation to sawmills or processing plants.
  • Trained new employees on proper use of tools and safety procedures when working in a forest environment.
  • Organized work crews involved in various aspects of logging operations.
  • Checked, cleaned and maintained chainsaws and other equipment each day to ensure working order.
  • Utilized various tools and power equipment to cut down trees and shear off limbs.
  • Secured steel cables and chains to logs to pull trees with cable yarding systems.
  • Maintained equipment such as wedges, lifts, saws and saw blades by inspecting before and after use and completing timely repairs.
  • Cleared tree falling areas of potentially dangerous shrubs, machinery or other plants before cutting to protect people, property and equipment from harm.

Firefighter 2

Wildfire Defense System
Coeur d'Alene, ID
05.2023 - 11.2023
  • Operated engine and water tender, fought fires across multiple states, and led a small crew in fire response.
  • Assisted in responding to emergency calls, assessing situations, and providing necessary medical aid.
  • Maintained firefighting equipment, including hoses and ladders, on a daily basis.
  • Provided educational presentations regarding fire prevention techniques to local schools and businesses.
  • Investigated the causes of fires to determine origin and cause.
  • Participated in training drills and exercises to maintain proficiency in fire suppression tactics.
  • Monitored weather conditions for potential threats such as wildland fires or flash flooding.
  • Extinguished fires using water hoses, chemical extinguishers, smoke ejectors, and other tools.
  • Inspected vehicles for proper operation prior to use on emergency calls.
  • 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.
  • Analyzed situations to quickly adopt courses of action with regard to surroundings and circumstances.
  • Educated public on ways to prevent fires and fire damage.
  • Inspected buildings to determine compliance with fire codes and fire prevention protocols.
  • Worked on equipment desk and demobilized fire engines, water tenders and other machinery used in responding to incidents.

Wildland Firefighter

California Conservation Corps
Camarillo, CA
02.2022 - 05.2023
  • Fought fires as a member of a CAL FIRE handcrew, led a squad, and performed fire suppression and fuel reduction tasks.
  • Conducted mop-up operations to extinguish remaining hot spots and reduce the risk of further spread.
  • Assisted in hazardous fuels reduction projects such as cutting brush, felling trees and chipping debris.
  • Performed backfire operations to contain advancing fires by burning fuel ahead of them.
  • Monitored weather conditions to determine potential impacts on fire behavior.
  • Gathered information from local residents regarding fire history or local conditions that may affect firefighting efforts.
  • Coordinated with both federal and state agencies during incident response activities.
  • Attended daily briefings with crew members to discuss strategy for upcoming shifts.
  • Provided medical aid to injured personnel at the scene of a wildfire incident.
  • Assessed terrain features such as slopes, wind direction and vegetation types when responding to a wildfire.
  • Participated in post-incident reviews following successful completion of a wildfire assignment.
  • Maintained detailed records related to all incidents involving wildfires including total acres burned, resources used and cost estimates.
  • Assisted in training new firefighters on proper use of safety gear and techniques for containing wildfires.
  • Minimized devastating wildfires by employing hand tools, dozers and air drops for containment operations.
  • Utilized incident command systems and protocols during firefighting and emergency operations.
  • Participated in wildfire risk assessments and mitigation planning efforts.
  • Engaged in post-fire operations, including mop-up and rehabilitation of affected areas.
  • Responded rapidly to emerging wildfires to protect lives, property, and natural resources.
  • Operated firefighting equipment, including chainsaws, fire pumps, and hoses, under hazardous conditions.
  • Tested and inspected tools, equipment and gear to maintain readiness for different fire scenarios.
  • Responded to fire and safety-related emergency calls in local area.

Forestry Technician

US Forest Service
Willow Creek, CA
07.2020 - 07.2021
  • Engaged in fire suppression work, operated heavy-duty vehicles, and assisted with fire dispatch and physical training.
  • Performed forest inventory and data collection using GPS technology and mapping software.
  • Conducted timber cruises, volume estimations, and assessments of tree species composition in assigned areas.
  • Assisted with the development of short-term and long-term management plans for forests.
  • Maintained records of field activities, including inventories, measurements, observations, and other information related to forestry operations.
  • Tracked changes in the condition of forests over time through periodic monitoring.
  • Developed recommendations for improving forest health based on research findings.
  • Implemented silviculture treatments such as thinning or regeneration cutting projects according to established guidelines.
  • Responded quickly to wildland fires; assisted with containment efforts by clearing brush or constructing firebreaks.
  • Identified hazardous conditions such as dead trees that may pose risks to public safety.
  • Contributed to reforestation initiatives by planting trees on land which was logged, destroyed in forest fire or cleared by industrial use.
  • Coordinated with volunteers and community groups to maintain trails and recreation sites.

Wildland Firefighter

California Conservation Corps
Camarillo, CA
03.2018 - 07.2019
  • Constructed fire lines, patrolled fire lines, and responded to vegetation fire calls while ensuring safety and effective fire suppression.
  • Located hydrants and operated pumps at proper pressure to evaluate adequacy of water system and availability of water supply.
  • Educated public on ways to prevent fires and fire damage.
  • Rehabilitated fire hoses, portable water tanks and other equipment.
  • Established and managed water supplies to support suppression activities.
  • Completed field assessments of active fires and planned optimal approaches.
  • Responded to fire and safety-related emergency calls in local area.
  • Observed strict safety protocols to maintain personal and coworker safety.
  • Tested and inspected tools, equipment and gear to maintain readiness for different fire scenarios.
  • Attended trainings to maintain wealth of knowledge in firefighting techniques and suppression methods, enabling quick decision making during actual emergencies.
  • Patrolled previously burned areas after fire containment to locate and eliminate dangerous hot spots.
  • Implemented safety protocols to minimize risks to crew members during fire suppression activities.

Education

Some college in medical -

John Muir Charter School
Camarillo, CA
10.2017

Skills

  • Bendix King radio operation
  • Landscape maintenance
  • Construction management
  • Vehicle maintenance
  • Tree care and trimming
  • Heavy lifting
  • Leadership skills
  • Climbing and rigging
  • First aid certification
  • Job site management
  • Tree removal and brush clearing
  • Chainsaw operation
  • Safety compliance strategies
  • Weather tolerance and monitoring
  • Crew management techniques
  • Power tools operation
  • Equipment maintenance

Certification

  • First Aid Certification
  • Wilderness First Aid Certification
  • Driver's License
  • Intermediate Faller (FAL2)
  • Public Safety First aid
  • S-131 Firefighter Type 1
  • Hazmat-FRO
  • Firefighter survivor
  • S-270 Basic Air Operations
  • L-180 Human Factors on the fireline
  • S-110 Basic Wildland Firefighter Orientation
  • S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire behavior
  • S-130 Firefighter training
  • ICS-100
  • ICS-200
  • ICS-700
  • ICS-800
  • S-212 Wildland Chainsaw

Languages

  • English, Fluent
  • Spanish, Expert

Awards

  • Team player
  • Leadership training

References

Daniel Woodman

CAL FIRE Captain

(820) 222-6000

Albert Hernandez

CAL FIRE Captain

(559) 741-5547

Chay Nance

CAL FIRE Captain

(805) 432-7465

Ben Rodriguez

Operations CAL FIRE Captain

(805) 903-3452

Wolfgang Quillin

CAL FIRE Administrative Captain

(805) 903-3451

Josh Block

CAL FIRE Captain

(805) 903-3456

Timeline

Helicopter Logger

Iron Mountain Forestry
11.2023 - Current

Firefighter 2

Wildfire Defense System
05.2023 - 11.2023

Wildland Firefighter

California Conservation Corps
02.2022 - 05.2023

Forestry Technician

US Forest Service
07.2020 - 07.2021

Wildland Firefighter

California Conservation Corps
03.2018 - 07.2019

Some college in medical -

John Muir Charter School

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