Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Certification
Accomplishments
References
Timeline
Generic

Gary Collins

Leigh On Sea,Essex

Summary

A dedicated and skilled Fire Officer with 22 years experience in London Fire Brigade. I have a proven track record in managing response teams, successfully resolving emergency incidents. Currently managing 15 Firefighters at a busy multi-appliance Fire Station, my strong leadership and teamwork skills, along with my ability to organise and prioitise tasks, are essential . Responsible for operational readiness & response, resource & performance management, training & development and HR matters. Expertise in resolving diverse emergency incidents, including fires, rescues, hazardous materials, road traffic accidents, and medical emergencies. Proficient in conducting inspections of high-risk buildings and fire safety assessments for local businesses. Committed to educating the community on fire safety by way of community engagement initiatives. My career journey reflects a passion for service, a commitment to excellence and a drive for continuous learning and improvement.

Overview

33
33
years of professional experience
11966
11966
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification

Work history

Station Officer

London Fire Brigade
London
08.2018 - Current
  • Manage a team of fifteen Firefighters.
  • Plan the work, assess and provide feedback for teams and individuals.
  • Manage work activities to meet requirements whilst maintaining a healthy, safe and productive environment. Make recommendations for improvement.
  • Gather required information to inform and advise others. Plan, prepare and conduct meetings with colleagues and community.
  • Develop teams and individuals by identifying, planning, training and assessing against organisational needs.
  • Investigate and report on health & safety, organisational, personal and technical events.
  • Lead and support firefighting personnel to resolve operational incidents by planning and implementing the action needed for successful resolution.
  • Support efficient use of resources by monitoring, controlling and acquiring to meet service demands.
  • Respond to poor performance by providing constructive and positive support. Implement disciplinary procedures where necessary.

Watch Manager (Sub Officer)

London Fire Brigade
05.2014 - 08.2018

Same as Station Officer but managing a team of seven firefighters.

Watch Manager - Incident Command Support

London Fire Brigade
01.2012 - 05.2014

Specialised as a crew member of an Incident Command Unit vehicle, responding and supporting Incident Command Teams at all larger scale incidents across London.

Crew Manager (Leading firefighter)

London Fire Brigade
07.2007 - 01.2012

Junior Officer at a two appliance fire station.

Firefighter

London Fire Brigade
02.2003 - 07.2007

Carried out duties in line with firefighter rolemap.

Dealing Room Support Engineer

Standard Bank
London
07.2001 - 02.2003

Provide second line support for Dealing Room technical issues. IT hardware, software packages, Communications equipment.

Dealing Room Support Engineer

Fortis Bank
London
11.1998 - 07.2001

Similar to Standard Bank

Non Commissioned Officer

Royal Navy
09.1992 - 10.1998

Supply & Secretariate Department. Administered pay accounts of ships personnel, leave & travel arrangements, correspondence and many other tasks. When ship based, additional duties included firefighting, first aid and damage control.

Education

Certificate of Higher Education - Microsoft Certified Professional

Sylvan Prometric
London

Certificate of Higher Education - Microcomputer Systems Installation & Maintenance

City & Guilds

GCSEs - English, Mathematics

University of Cambridge

NVQ Level 1 - Business Administration & Word Processing

City & Guilds of London Institute

NVQ Level 1 -

Johannesburg Technical College

GCSEs -

Blairgowrie High School
Johannesburg

Skills

Responsible for staff allocation of duties, performance, training and development, sickness, absence and discipline

Incident Commander managing crews responding to emergency incidents including fires, rescues, hazardous material including decontamination, road traffic accidents, building & facilities emergencies, floodings and medical cases

Fully conversant with policies & procedures in accordance with National Operational Guidance

Carry out inspections of high risk buildings including COMAH sites

Carry out Fire Safety inspections of local businesses and high and low rise properties

Educate the local community in all matters of fire safety

Conduct interviews for potential Firefighter candidates

Training colleagues across LFB to carry out Fire Safety inspections

Certification

Fire Safety Inspector - Level 3

Health & Safety Representative

Light Goods Vehicle (7.5 Tonne)

Mass Decontamination Officer

Aerial Support Pump Officer

Marauding Terrorist Attack Responder



Accomplishments

Corrosive Substance Attack Response - Trainer to First Responders including Police and Ambulance personnel.

Exercise Unified Response (mass casualty disaster exercise) - escort/PR to European Commission members & television crews.

London 2012 Olympic Cadre - responding to incidents within Olympic Park.

Incident Management System - Trainer on its introduction.

Part time Presiding Officer for General & Local Elections - responsible for conduct & returns of a Polling Station.


References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Station Officer

London Fire Brigade
08.2018 - Current

Watch Manager (Sub Officer)

London Fire Brigade
05.2014 - 08.2018

Watch Manager - Incident Command Support

London Fire Brigade
01.2012 - 05.2014

Crew Manager (Leading firefighter)

London Fire Brigade
07.2007 - 01.2012

Firefighter

London Fire Brigade
02.2003 - 07.2007

Dealing Room Support Engineer

Standard Bank
07.2001 - 02.2003

Dealing Room Support Engineer

Fortis Bank
11.1998 - 07.2001

Non Commissioned Officer

Royal Navy
09.1992 - 10.1998

Certificate of Higher Education - Microsoft Certified Professional

Sylvan Prometric

Certificate of Higher Education - Microcomputer Systems Installation & Maintenance

City & Guilds

GCSEs - English, Mathematics

University of Cambridge

NVQ Level 1 - Business Administration & Word Processing

City & Guilds of London Institute

NVQ Level 1 -

Johannesburg Technical College

GCSEs -

Blairgowrie High School
Gary Collins