EDUCATION

• Attended Neosho Senior High School, Graduating 1968
• Attended Crowder Junior College, Neosho, Missouri and University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, majoring in Forestry
• Completion of on campus courses offered by the National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg, Maryland, each 80 hours in length:
  
  • Incident Command (1981)
  • Command and Control of Fire Department Operations at Catastrophic Disasters (1993)
  • Interpersonal Dynamics (1995)
  • Fire Service Communications (1996)
  • Organizational Theory (1997)
  • Training Program Management(1998)
  • Fire Service Course Design (1998)
  • Executive Planning (2000)
  • All-Hazard Logistical Section Chief (40 hours-2007)

WORK HISTORY

• Fire Chief, Neosho Fire Department 9/1/2003 - (Till they get tired of me or I of them)
  
  We all have fits of insanity once in a while. In August,2003, our Fire Chief decided it was time to move on to another job and I decided it was time for me to better my retirement (and quit the off-duty jobs). So with the help of my City Manager..."Well Chief, what you going to do?"... I move into the Chief's position of the Neosho Fire Department. So here I am, top dog in the house. It's taking me a while to get my feet on the ground, but I'm sure the department will survive this change. Now if I can survive it. I have alreaty found that the days are getting longer and the nights are getting shorter, that 40 hour week is beginning to look more like my 72 hour week use to. With over a 1.5 million dollar budget, 28 pieces of rolling equipment, and 35 great members to work for, I have already found that some days are better than others. And, with the large amount of support from my wife and family, I'm finding things are a great deal easier. If anyone for Neosho reads this, be kind to me...I know where you live.
  
  
• Deputy Fire Chief, Neosho Fire Department 9/2000 - 9/1/2003
  
  As Deputy Chief, I had to do in 40 hours that which I did in 52 hours, plus the stuff a Deputy Chief does (and sneaking in a few hours of off-duty job time). The hardest part of the job was getting out of the office to go home (Any of you that are chiefs or department heads should know how that goes.) Then Mrs. H, has to put up with me every night.
  
  
• Captain, Neosho Fire Department 1981- 9/2000
  
  Captain in charge of Training Program for the Neosho Fire Department. As Training Officer, I had the responsibility for all departmental training records, reports, and planning for the departments training program. I was also responsible for all activities and incidents for our two fire stations and needed personnel during my assigned tour of duty. Assigned tour of Duty was a 24 hour shift (thanks to FLSA, now a 52 hours work week and and off-duty job or two), with a staff of one lieutenant, four engineers, and approximately thirty call-back and paid-per-call personnel. From those fire two stations, the department covers the City of Neosho and the Neosho Area Fire Protection District. This area covers approximately 92 square miles. Operating fleet consist of five engines, one ladder, one medium rescue, two water tenders, two brush units, one mobile air supply apparatus, and other support vehicles and equipment. For the years of 1999 and 2000, our department responded to over 1400+ responses.
  
  
• Engineer, Neosho Fire Department 1973- 1981
  
  Starting out on a 24 hours On, 24 hours Off or a 72 hour work week, (plus working an off-duty job), I was responsible for the operations and maintenance of all equipment and apparatus operated by the Neosho Fire Department. This consisted of 3 pieces of rolling equipment.

  As the department grew, we changed to a 24 hours On and 48 hours Off (56 hour week), I was assigned maintenance officer of the entire operating fleet of apparatus and equipment operated by the fire department. Responsibility covered making repairs, scheduling of repairs, maintaining records, purchasing supplies and writing specifications for the equipment. Fleet at that time included four pumpers, one aerial, one small rescue, assorted support vehicles and all equipment.

  
  
  
  
• Owner, Hickman Fire Apparatus Service 1981- present
  
  Owner of maintenance service for fire equipment and fire apparatus. Service includes primarily maintenance and repairs to fire pumps and accessories. Some assistance is offered to smaller departments in performing annual service test on pumps. When not working on fire apparatus, time is spent (when I need a break) working on older collectable and customized automobiles. Specializing in automotive electrical problems of electrical drains and rewiring of damaged wiring harnesses.
  
  
  
• Secondary Towerman, Missouri Department of Conservation, Neosho District 1970-1973
  ---Returned to hourly/part-time basis May 2000 to 2002
  Responsible for fire control and general operations of assigned equipment and manpower used in the suppression of wildland fires. Operated Type 7 engine, carrying up to 300 gallons of water and a 20 gallon per minute pump and Type 3 Tractor/Plow Unit. Also presented public education programs on fire safety and prevention.

QUALIFICATIONS


• Thirty-five(+) years in fire related activities of command and control of fire operations at emergency and non-emergency operations.
• Training received in fire suppression, rescue and recovery, personnel supervision, public education, instructional techniques, emergency medical, incident management system, incident investigation, and hazardous materials.
• Adjunct Instructor for University of Missouri Fire Training Institute in Columbia, Missouri
• Instructor for Crowder College; Fire Fighter I & II Program
• Instructor for State of Missouri Department of Conservation; Fire Behavior and Survival Training S-130 / 190
• Associate Instructor for Big Rivers Forest Fire Management Compact and University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute's I-100, S-130/190 (Basic Wildland Firefighter training) L-180 and L-280 (Leadership)Training Courses
• Train-the-Trainer for USDA Forest Service Wildland/Urban Interface 3D Training Simulator


CERTIFICATION


• International Fire Service Accreditation Congress Certified Fire Fighter 1 and 2 for the State of Missouri
• International Fire Service Accreditation Congress Certified Fire Instructor 3 for the State of Missouri (since 8/02- expires 2011)
• Instructor for FEMA's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Train-the Trainer Program
• State Instructor for Pumping Apparatus Driver/Operator Train-the-Trainer Program
• State Emergency Management Agency Propane Emergency Train-the-Trainer Program
• State Certified Instructor for following courses:
  • Driver Operator (Pumping Apparatus)
  • Mobile Water Supply Operations
  • Emergency Vehicle Driver Training Program
  • Highway Safety for Emergency Service Personnel
  • Basic Pump
  • Firefighter 1 & 2
• International Fire Service Accreditation Congress Certified Hazardous Materials Incident Response - Awareness and Operations Levels
• State Certified Rescue Training in Water Rescue and Farm Accident Rescue,
• Certified Training in Radiological Monitoring
• Certified Training in Confined Space Entry and Rescue
• Factory Certified Training on both Waterous and Darley Fire Pumps
• Certified First Responder Trained
• Certified Training from Department of Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms in Criminal Investigation
• Certified by National Wildfire Coordinating Group in:
  • S-130 (Standards for Survival)
  • S-131 (Advanced Firefighter Training)
  • S-190 (Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior)
  • S-211 (Portable Pumps and Water Use)
  • S-217 (Interagency Helicopter Training)
  • S-230 (Crew Boss)
  • S-231 (Engine Boss)
  • S-234 (Ignition Operations)
  • S-270 (Basic Air Operations)
  • S-290 (Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior)
  • L-180 (Human Factors on the Fireline)
  • L-280 (Followership to Leadership)


Wildland Experience:
• Frank Church Wilderness of No Return,Mc,Call, Idaho (94)FF2
• Ackerson Complex, California, (96)FF2
• Flagler County, Florida, (98)FF2
• Helicopter Crew Member HECM-T, Arkansas (01)
• Alpine Fire, HECM-T, Wyoming (01)
• Yellowstone Park Complex , HECM, Wyoming (01)
• Coal Seam & Million Fires, HECM, Colorado (02)
• Malheur NF, Monument Complex, HECM, Oregon (02)
• Columbia Space Shuttle Recovery, HECM, Texas (03)
• Mud Lake Fire, HECM, Washington (04)
• Rattlesnake Wildland Fire Use Fire , HECM, Washington (04)
• New Fire (was old by time I got there), HECM, New Mexico (05)
• Oak City Canyon Fire, HECM, Utah (06)
• Trailhead Fire, HECM, Idaho (06)
• Tripod Complex, HECM, Washington (06)
• Landmark Complex, HECM, Cascade,Idaho (07)


INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES


• Secretary/Treasure for Ozark Gateway Fire Chief Association
• Assistant Director of Newton County Missouri Emergency Management
• Past Chairman of the Board for the Neosho Area Fire Protection District
• Past President and Board Member of Neosho Volunteer Firemen Inc.
• Past Vice President of Neosho Local 2861 of the International Association of Fire Fighters
• Founding Member of IAFF Local 2001, Neosho Shop and the Neosho Volunteer Firemen Inc.
• Previous Member of the Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Committee
• Previous Project Leader in the Newton County 4-H Program

Interests: Spending time with Family, Traveling, Camping, working on antique and custom automobiles, and wildland fire fighting.


Thank you for stoping by!


Email: hilbille@rocketmail.com