Fresno Fire Department - Training Division

	Mike Despain, Training Chief Chief Despain has over 24 years of experience in the fire service, and currently serves as a Deputy Chief/Training Chief responsible for the oversight of the Training and Support Services Division. Chief Despain has a long list of credentials in both education and training. He currently holds an A.S. degree in Fire Science, a B.A. degree in Management and Organizational Development, and a M.A. degree in Management. He has worked as an adjunct instructor for Fresno City College for 13 years, teaching undergraduate and academy-level fire science programs, and has taught graduate-level programs for National University. He is a certified Master Instructor with the California State Fire Marshal's Office and holds a part-time Vocational Teaching Credential from the State of California - Commission on Teacher Credentialing. He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy - Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program, a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designee by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International and a Member (MIFireE) level designee by the Institute of Fire Engineers. Key Responsibilities - Executive manager responsible for directing all activities within Training and Support Services Division which consists of the following Sections: Training, Supply, Communications and Repair and Maintenance. Department "Instructor of Record" for the California Fire Fighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee (CFFJAC) Credentialing Program and Safety Program Coordinator.
	Daniel Perkins, Captain/Assistant Training Officer Dan has worked for both public and private agencies as a Paramedic, Paramedic F.T.O. and Paramedic Firefighter. He began his firefighter career as a volunteer in 1986 and as a full-time career firefighter in 1987. Dan was recruited by the Fresno City Fire Department in 2001 and assigned to the Training Division in July 2006. He completed his A.A. degree in 1997 from Fresno City College. Dan is currently completing a B.S. degree in Public Fire Service Administration from Cogswell College and Chief Officer's certification through State Fire Training. He is a: certified Master Instructor; Auto Extrication instructor; Rescue Systems 1 adjunct instructor; Hazardous Material Specialist; member of the Regional USAR Task Force 5; and CPR, AED and EMT instructor. Key Responsibilities - Assistant Training Officer and Safety Committee Chairperson responsible for Engineer training, the Driver Operator program development and in-service training curriculum development.
	Oscar Betancourt, Captain/Assistant Training Officer Oscar has been in the fire service since 1995. He began his career as a full-time Engineer with the Kings County Fire Department in 1999. In January 2001, Oscar was hired as a Firefighter with the North Central Fire Protection District where he was a member of the Technical Rescue team as well as the HazMat Response Team. Since that time, Oscar has promoted through the ranks of Firefighter, Engineer and Training Captain. In July 2007, Oscar became a member of the Fresno City Fire Department through a merger between the Fresno City Fire Department and North Central Fire Protection District. He is currently a member of the Department's HazMat Response Team as well as a member of an O.E.S Regional Task Force 5 Team. Oscar holds an A.S degree and is an adjunct instructor in Rescue Systems 1. Key Responsibilities - Key Responsibilities - Assistant Training Officer and North Central Fire Protection District liaison responsible for: coordination of career development courses; State Fire Training classes; firefighter recruitment; assisting with the annual Training Symposium; and coordinating training ground repairs, maintenance and inventories.
	Justin Moore, Captain/Assistant Training Officer Justin began his career in 1999 as a Firefighter with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. He worked within the State Responsibility Areas as well as the Fresno County Fire Protection District, where he was a member of their Confined Space Rescue Team. In March 2001 Justin was hired as a Firefighter with the Kern County Fire Department, where he was a member of the Technical Rescue Team and HazMat Response Team. In January 2003, Justin joined the Fresno City Fire Department as a Firefighter. Since that time Justin has promoted through the ranks of Firefighter, Engineer and Captain. He is currently a member of the Department’s HazMat Response Team, as well as a member of OES Regional USAR Task Force 5. Justin holds an A.S. Degree in Fire Science and is a certified Instructor through the CSFM, CSTI, AHA, and the IAFF. Key Responsibilities - Assistant Training Officer responsible for: developing the Department's monthly training calendar; the Probationary Firefighter Program; quarterly and night drills; multi-agency training; and disaster drills. Liaison for Central Valley Training Officers Association, Fresno City College and State Fire Training.
	Carolyn Sadoian, Training Officer/EMS Coordinator Carolyn joined the Fresno Fire Department Training Division in December 2006. She accidentally began her career in EMS in 1981. She was hired as an EMT by the local ambulance agency while working her way through college. After graduating with a B.S. degree in Health Science from CSU Fresno, she continued on in the EMS arena by attending paramedic training at Daniel Freeman Hospital in Southern California. Upon returning to Fresno, she worked as a Paramedic for seven years while she completed her A.A. degree in Registered Nursing from Fresno City College. She has twenty years of clinical experience as an RN in the Emergency Department at a Level 1 Trauma Center. Carolyn has remained active in EMS and continues to work and teach in the hospital and prehospital setting. Key Responsibilities - Civilian Training Officer, EMS Coordinator responsible for Quality Assurance and compliance of the EMT program; EMT training and continuing education; liaison to the local EMS agency, hospitals and local ALS/BLS providers; Safety Committee member; and infection control liaison.
	Christine Boozer, Training Officer/Curriculum Specialist Christine began her career with the Fresno City Fire Department in March 2007, and serves as curriculum specialist. She completed her B.A. degree at CSU Fresno, her California teaching credential from Fresno Pacific University, and her M.S. Ed. degree with an emphasis in Online Learning and Teaching at CSU Hayward. Christine brings over twenty years of experience in the fields of education and training, technology and human resources. Key Responsibilities - Civilian Training Officer, Curriculum Specialist responsible for: course design; development, implementation and administration of the Distributive Learning Program; maintenance of the Training Records Management System; website development and maintenance; working with outside agencies (CJAC, FCC, CSF, CSTI, NFA) for course certification and program reporting; and course development and delivery (AB1825 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for Supervisors, etc.).
	Judi Huss, Senior Secretary Judi has been a member of the Department’s Training Division team for over two years and brings more than twenty years of office management experience in both the private and public sectors. In addition, she holds a B.A. degree in Liberal Arts from the University of Minnesota. Key Responsibilities - Division Senior Secretary

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