Owen Riches
Thunder Bay,Canada
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
MNR Wildland Fire Fighter
Ministry of Natural Resources
05.2021 - 09.2024
- Work in a team environment to provide forest fire suppression/related activities
- Work within the chain of command
- Work in remote locations for extended periods of time
- Use various hand tools and portable pumps
- High pressure working conditions
- Promote the Fire Smart Program in communities throughout the Rainy River District
- Work in physically demanding situations
- Work with various agencies and forestry companies when required on large fires
- Assisted with sandbagging operations during the 2022 spring floods
- Upheld high standards of professionalism while interacting with the public during prescribed burns or emergency situations.
- Optimized firefighter performance through active participation in daily physical training sessions designed to maintain endurance levels.
- Improved crew safety through diligent hazard assessment and risk management during incidents.
- Cut and cleared brush and dug trenches to create fire lines using axes, chainsaws or shovels.
- Patrolled burnt areas after fires to locate and eliminate hot spots that could flare or rekindle.
- Capable of leading a five person crew on fires with s300 certification.
Pre-Service Fire Fighter Training Program
Confederation College
09.2020 - 05.2021
- Fire Fighter survival, based on real scenarios conducted at the Thunder Bay fire training center
- Auto-extrication using hydraulic and hand tools to safely perform various techniques including dash roles, cutting pillars, breaking windows, and patient extrication
- Live fire scenarios in the burn tower at the Thunder Bay Fire training center
- Haz-mat scenarios and associated response
- Forcible entry
- Perform salvage and overhaul
- Ropes/knots
- Building preplanning and fire safety plan review
- Ontario Fire Code and NFPA familiarization
- Confined space and low angle rescue
- IMS
Senior Lifeguard
Fort Frances Memorial Sports Centre
06.2017 - 09.2020
- Senior lifeguard during a variety of public, family, and fitness swims
- Taught Red Cross swimming lessons to children aging from 3 to 12 years old
- Performed basic pool maintenance, including cleaning pool area, and performing pH water tests
- Shared tips with patrons on swimming techniques and strength training
- Observed recreational users to detect safety concerns and prevent ongoing violations
- Monitored safety of all guests in and around swimming pool
- Complied with pool policies and procedures and offered suggestions to staff to maximize safety awareness
- Worked as front desk reception, assisting the public/members with memberships, and addressing questions and concerns
- Cleaning office areas and counting the cash deposit at the end of shift
- Worked as camp counselor for a variety of weekly children’s summer camps
- Organized games, crafts, activities
- Being a role model to the children
Education
Carpentry and Renovation Techniques -
Confederation College
Thunder Bay, ON01.2022
Pre-Service Fire Fighter Education Training Program - Firefighter I, II Hazmat operations, and EMR certification
Confederation College
Thunder Bay, ON01.2021
High School - Health and Wellness SHSM
Fort Frances High School
Fort Frances, ON06.2020
Skills
- Leadership Qualities
- Teamwork and Cooperation
- Structural Firefighting Strategies
- Decision-Making Under Pressure
- Emergency Response
- Fire Prevention Education
- Critical thinking abilities
- Physical Fitness Maintenance
- Leadership and supervision
- Worksite safety
- Hand and power tools
- General laborer
Certification
- Hazmat awareness and operations
- Emergency Medical Responder Certification
- G License
- S100 (Crew Member)
- S200 (Crew Boss)
- S300 (Crew Leader)
- Carpentry & Renovation Techniques
- ATV certified
- Restricted radio operator
- Wilderness first aid
- Firearms license (PAL)
- Hunter safety training
- Pleasure craft operator’s license
- MNR chainsaw certified
- LPG awareness training
- WHMIS
- Working at heights training
Hobbies and Interests
- Member of a competitive curling team in Thunder Bay
- Outdoor activities including camping, fishing, hunting, and hiking
- Weightlifting and fitness training
- Squash, snowboarding and skiing
References
- Leana Moffitt, Town of Fort Frances Memorial Sports Centre Supervisor (retired), (807) 275-8324, leanamoffitt@hotmail.com
- Andrew Loney, Ministry of Natural Resources (Crew Leader), (807) 276-8902, andrew.loney98@gmail.com
- Tyler Yatchuk, Ministry of Natural Resources (Crew Leader), (807) 861-1988, tyleryatchuk@hotmail.com
Timeline
MNR Wildland Fire Fighter
Ministry of Natural Resources
05.2021 - 09.2024
Pre-Service Fire Fighter Training Program
Confederation College
09.2020 - 05.2021
Senior Lifeguard
Fort Frances Memorial Sports Centre
06.2017 - 09.2020
Carpentry and Renovation Techniques -
Confederation College
Pre-Service Fire Fighter Education Training Program - Firefighter I, II Hazmat operations, and EMR certification
Confederation College
High School - Health and Wellness SHSM
Fort Frances High School
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