ZACHARY SCHAEFER
Carlsbad,NM
Summary
Dynamic Fire Service leader with extensive experience in emergency management and regulatory compliance. Proven track record in budget oversight and strategic planning, directly enhancing departmental efficiency and operational readiness. Focus on team development and safety culture drives successful mission outcomes.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Chief
Salado Isolation Mining Contractors
05.2023 - Current
- - Led executive-level leadership and oversight for Fire Department operations, including emergency response, training, prevention, and support services, creating cohesive teams that consistently met goals and expectations
- - Direct and manage personnel, apparatus readiness, and operational response capabilities for a 40+ member department
- - Serve as Incident Command during emergency responses and coordinate with mutual aid partners and site stakeholders
- - Provide leadership development, mentorship, and performance oversight for officers and personnel
- - Oversaw budget planning, resource allocation, and capital improvement initiatives, ensuring operational readiness and fiscal responsibility across department functions
- - Established strategic goals, policies, and performance expectations aligned with organizational mission and safety objectives, guiding department direction and focus
- - Work with Emergency Management in developing plans and procedures. Perform as evaluator for Fire Department response
- - Ensure compliance with DOE Orders, NFPA standards, OSHA, CFR, State and WIPP site-specific health, safety and all other applicable requirements
Fire Department Compliance Officer & Assistant Manager
Salado Isolation Mining Contractors
02.2022 - 05.2023
- - Ensured compliance with external regulatory and legal requirements and internal policies and bylaws
- - Review, develop, and manage departmental procedures in accordance with DOE Orders and external regulatory requirements
- - Maintain and evaluate internal controls to accurately measure and manage organizational risk
- - Communicated daily with management and staff to identify and resolve compliance and operational issues
- - Provide administrative, technical, and supervisory support to the Fire Chief
- - Assist with departmental planning, goals, and objectives
- - Led department operations in absence of Fire Chief of the department in the absence of the Fire Chief
- - Support oversight of divisions including Fire Prevention, Operations, Support Services, Training, and Administration
- - Collaborated with Emergency Management to develop plans and procedures; evaluated Fire Department response
Firefighter / AEMT
Nuclear Waste Partnership
09.2020 - 02.2022
- - Responded to emergency calls for fire, medical, rescue, and life safety incidents, ensuring effective property protection within a nuclear facility
- - Conducted testing and compliance activities per OSHA, ISO, NFPA, and site-specific operational standards to maintain safety and regulatory adherence
- Managed response to emergency incidents involving hazardous materials and nuclear waste at the facility.
- Performed safety inspections on firefighting equipment and protective gear to ensure operational readiness.
- Collaborated with teams to develop and implement emergency response plans.
Firefighter / AEMT
City of Hobbs, NM Fire Department
04.2014 - 09.2020
- - Responded to emergency calls for fire, medical, rescue, and hazardous situations to protect life and property
- Responded to emergency incidents involving hazardous materials.
- Collaborated with team members to execute rescue operations in high-risk environments.
- - Conducted equipment tests to ensure compliance with OSHA, ISO, NFPA, and departmental standards
- Conducted safety inspections and maintained firefighting equipment readiness.
Health Care Specialist
United States Military Forces - Army
03.2011 - 01.2014
- - Administer medical treatment to battlefield casualties
- - Supported outpatient and inpatient care processes to ensure effective patient management
- - Recorded patient history, treatment, and vital signs to maintain accurate medical records
- - Instructed classes on lifesaving techniques and medical safety to enhance community preparedness
Education
Bachelor's - Business and Health Care Administration
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN09-2028
Certificate of AEMT -
Eastern New Mexico University
Roswell, NM08-2018
Certificate of EMT-B -
U.S. Army
Fort Sam Houston08-2011
High School Diploma -
Iola-Scandinavia High School
Iola, WI05-2010
Skills
- IFSAC Firefighter I & II
- IFSAC Instructor I
- IFSAC Officer I
- NREMT and State of New Mexico AEMT
- - AHA ACLS Certified
- - AHA PALS Certified
- - AHA CPR Certified
- - Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC)
- - Stop the Bleed Instructor
- IFSAC Hazardous materials operations & Awareness
- Fire Safety Training
- ICS 100, 200, 700, 800 Certified
- Emergency Vehicle Driving
- Incident response
- Risk assessment
- Procedure writing
- Training Development
- Performance evaluation
- Team leadership
- Management skills
- Financial Oversight
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Critical thinking
- Time management
- Financial Oversight
Accomplishments
- Tru Performance Award 2025- SIMCO
- Warrior Award 2015- Hobbs Fire Department
Timeline
Assistant Chief
Salado Isolation Mining Contractors
05.2023 - Current
Fire Department Compliance Officer & Assistant Manager
Salado Isolation Mining Contractors
02.2022 - 05.2023
Firefighter / AEMT
Nuclear Waste Partnership
09.2020 - 02.2022
Firefighter / AEMT
City of Hobbs, NM Fire Department
04.2014 - 09.2020
Health Care Specialist
United States Military Forces - Army
03.2011 - 01.2014
Bachelor's - Business and Health Care Administration
Capella University
Certificate of AEMT -
Eastern New Mexico University
Certificate of EMT-B -
U.S. Army
High School Diploma -
Iola-Scandinavia High School