I was employed for approximately ten years in the restaurant industry. Most of that time was spent in some type of kitchen management position. This experience taught me much about food and its preparation, people, and business. After ten years in the same field I chose to make a change in careers not knowing exactly what I wanted to do. I decided to try Wildland fire fighting for a summer to make money and have an excellent adventure, combining work and an appreciation for the outdoors. Choosing to fight fire opened a path to many more opportunities. The company I chose to work for has several different departments. In the off season I was put to work in those departments. I eventually became a crew leader, foreman, and program manager in almost all of these departments. I worked in private and commercial landscaping, and did some bidding on contracts. I also led crews and squads in slash burning, wilderness trail maintenance, and other work. The company also sent me to fire science courses, leadership classes, and HAZMAT courses. I was the company representative on several contracts involving work for the federal government, the city of Eugene, and many other agencies and companies. I was given the chance to be the program manager for a recycling business where I worked closely with the DEQ, EPA, and OSHA. I was required to teach myself much of what it takes to work within the confines of federal rules and regulations. The recycling business included shipping and receiving, labeling and packaging for controlled substances, and the tracking required by involved agencies. 

Fire and Controlled Burn skills

Planning, Logistics, Organizing, Safety considerations,Obtaining weather information, Trailing, Observing potential hazards, Briefing crew on safety issues and other needed information, Lighting, Holding, Patrolling,Mop-up,Debriefing, Handling time records.

Wilderness and Non Wilderness Trail maintenance

Crew leader, Planning, Logistics,Obtaining and maintaining proper equipment, Chainsaw bucking, Crosscut saw bucking,Brushing to clearing limits, Maintaining crew safety and morale on extended camp-outs over 400 miles from our main office, Inspecting quality, Maintaining good relationship with agency contract representative, ensuring contract requirements were met,Coordinating blasting operation with Forest service and United States Navy(we were working in a flight maneuver area)

Tree Marking

Crew member, Marked trees designating a cut or no cut status, Mark trees in accordance with contract requirements, determined species varieties, wildlife trees, required spacing.

Native Plant Restoration

Crew member, Planted trees and plants of different size and species varieties, Root pruned, Balled and Burlaped, transported, Chose plants and trees from nearby areas for transplanting to designated need areas

Landscaping

Lead crews, Private and commercial lawn and yard maintenance, Pruning,

Tree removal, Property line fire break cutting, Tractor mowing, Grading, Brush removal,

Planting.

Recycling

Driving, picking up and invoicing light bulbs batteries and other universal

waste, transporting, preparing for transport and storage and recording all necessary

information, Making contacts and schedules for pickups of bulbs.