Zach Kowal
Valparaiso,IN
Summary
Dedicated firefighter with a strong commitment to public safety and continuous professional growth. Proven ability to respond effectively to emergency situations while maintaining a high level of physical fitness and technical expertise.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
FIREFIGHTER
Merrillville Fire Dept
Merrillville, IN
09.2025 - Current
- Employed effective communication techniques when working with other members of the team during an emergency situation.
- Participated in drills and training on techniques, operations and use of equipment.
- Trained new firefighters in safety protocols and the use of personal protective equipment.
- Responded to fire alarms and other emergency situations or calls for service.
- Operated vehicles such as pumpers, ladder trucks, ambulances and other specialized apparatus with precision.
RESCUE TECHNICIAN
Code Red Safety
Valparaiso, IN
09.2024 - Current
- Performed maintenance checks on vehicles used in rescue operations prior to deployment, ensuring they were safe for use in the field.
- Employed strong communication skills when liaising between multiple stakeholders involved in emergency response efforts.
- Organized resources necessary for successful completion of emergency response tasks, including personnel, vehicles, tools, and supplies.
- With high angle rope rescue and confined space rescue
- Part of a battery factory during its infancy, wealth, fire suppression safety systems, and equipment were being implemented
- A team that helped implement SOP's and the development of safety and evacuation protocols at previously stated battery factory
FIREFIGHTER
South Haven Fire Department
Valparaiso, IN
06.2024 - Current
- Provided leadership to junior team members during emergency situations.
- Successfully completed advanced courses in fire science, hazardous material management, and incident command system.
- Investigated causes of structural fires to determine origin, cause, extent of damage, and necessary corrective action.
- Served as incident commander, coordinating activities of multiple teams at large-scale emergencies.
Skills
Leadership and supervision
Structural firefighting
Fire suppression
Site evaluation
Gas detection
Chemical handling
Electrical safety
Lockout and tagout procedures
First aid administration
Firefighting
Mass casualty events
Stress tolerance and resilience
Hazard identification
Environmental monitoring
Accident prevention
Incident investigation
Confined space entry
Construction safety
Industrial fire fighting
Fire safety
First aid certified
Education
Fire Science
MAAC
Valparaiso, IN12.2024
Certification
- Firefighter 1
- Hazmat Responder Awareness
- Technical Rescue Awareness
- CPR 1-14-26
- CRS Supplied Air and Gas Monitoring
- OSHA 30
- Firefighter 2
- Hazmat Responder Operations
- Public Fire & Life Safety Educator
- CRS Fall Protection
- CRS Fire Watch
- TWIC
- NFPA 470 Hazardous material Identification and Spill Prevention
- NFPA 1001 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
- NFPA 1001 Protection of Evidence of Fire Origin & Cause (2175)
- General HIPAA Awareness
- Electric Vehicle and Alternative Fuel Vehicles For Fire Responders
- NFPA 1500 Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the Fire Industry
- NFPA 1001 Portable Extinguishers (5232)
- NFPA 1010 Fire Department Communications (2895626)
- NFPA 1001 Truck Company Operations
- NFPA 1001 Ventilation (2227)
Timeline
FIREFIGHTER
Merrillville Fire Dept
09.2025 - Current
RESCUE TECHNICIAN
Code Red Safety
09.2024 - Current
FIREFIGHTER
South Haven Fire Department
06.2024 - Current
Fire Science
MAAC