Professional Summary
My personal and professional goal is to continue applying over three decades of experience and knowledge in various applications of team leadership, project development/management, organizational skills, professional-level verbal and written communications. My ability to apply good judgment and the utmost discretion in administrative, operational; fiscal and confidential matters has set a sturdy foundation in fostering and maintaining trusted relationships with our public affairs team, Department Executive team, department heads, rank and file teams as well as local, state, federal and national public safety partners. I am a tenured, productive, progressive and proud Riverside County Fire Department employee who applies department policies, paired with servant leadership and principles to foster a safe, creative and professional workplace. I believe in sharing knowledge and experience to develop and prepare our high-performing Public Affairs and Community Education Bureau team for future growth and longevity with the County. Since I began my position in the Riverside County Fire Department Public Affairs and Community Education Bureau in 2007, I have been an engaged and present contributor in building this bureau; overseeing administrative and operational functions from a two-person department to currently a robust, 24/7/365, eight-person, results-driven public relations team - inclusive of a full video production unit, a thriving and expanding five-site social media platforms and fire prevention education module and esthetic/content on the Department's internet site. In 2020, I wrote and submitted a white paper, proposing a thoughtful and fiscally build-out an administrative and operationally functional bureau with ample staff to quell excessive workload, burnout and and opportunities for career advancement to insure longevity with the County. I have represented and collaborated with many County department leaders and Information Officers on many county-wide public information and safety awareness campaigns, such as the COVID19 Pandemic, Riverside County Water Safety Coalition, Fireworks Safety and Enforcement Campaigns. I currently serve as a qualified Public Information Officer II (PIO II) on the County All-Hazards Incident Management Team, and have traveled extensively throughout the State as a PIO2 on many major incidents; such as the Canyon I and II Fires, the Klamathon Fire, Butte Fire, Lumpkin Fire, Soberanes Fire, Chimney Fire, Holy Fire and Flood, Wildomar Fire, 2003, 2004 and 2007 Fire Siege and many others. A fire safety education grant awarded to Riverside County in 2021, I currently oversee the restructure and implementation of our Youth Firesetter Prevention and Education Program, writing policy, standard operating guidelines and supervising a consultant and administrative analyst. I currently produce the Department's weekly "Report on Conditions" show, and other strategic communication pieces, overseeing the layout, scripting, content, pre and post production; ensuring transparency and clear of sensitivity or controversial content. I also work closely with the Riverside County Fire Chief and Executive Team on targeted messaging projects; developing talking points, quotes, scripts and relatable content for best public outreach internal and external outreach results. Over the past 15 years of my 30-year career, I have served as the primary point of contact for our media partners on local, regional and national markets and have built trusted, lasting relationships with them. This relationship has been instrumental in participation in press conferences that I have facilitated over the past decade on a myriad of topics, from major incidents, to safety campaigns to education program kickoffs. In closing, I am confident that my focus, experience and deliverables over the course of my career in public safety with the Riverside County Fire Department, paired with the department's Executive Team, a shared vision of where we sit as the well-earned, fourth largest fire department in the state is an exciting journey that I am ready to continue on, and equally important, mentor and prepare our public affairs bureau team for great success in the future. Thank you for your time and consideration. - Project Management Team Leadership and Mentoring - Vast Administrative, Operational and Technical Department Knowledge - Strategic Decision Maker - Creative