Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Austin Kennedy

Chadron

Summary

I am a highly motivated and dedicated firefighter who has experience in fire for the past 7 years. I started my fire career with the Crawford Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department in 2018 to 2022 and then started my professional career with the USDA Forest Service as a wildland firefighter on the Pine Ridge Ranger District (PRRD) in Chadron Nebraska in May of 2023. Since my start with the Forest Service I have gained a immense amount of knowledge and leadership skills from the experience I have done and from my coworkers and from the fellow firefighters I have gotten to work with. I have become more proficient and skilled in advanced fire operations, wildland fire behavior, leadership, communication with radio use and with fire personal, and critical thinking in high stress environments. I bring a positive and committed attitude that contributes to learning and to the growth of the program and organization that I participate in.

Overview

9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Senior Firefighter Engine (ENGSRFF)

USDA Forest Service
04.2024 - Current

The Senior Firefighter assists the other 4 members on the engine with all aspects of fire operation activities. These activities include but are not limited to: initial attack, prescribed burning, project work, large fire support, mutual aid support, and assisting other programs on the district and forests.

Forestry Tech Firefighter (FFTR34)

USDA Forest Service
05.2023 - 04.2024

The Forestry Technician Firefighter assists the other 4 members on the engine with all aspects of fire operation activities. These activities include but are not limited to: initial attack, prescribed burning, project work, large fire support, mutual aid support, and assisting other programs on the district and forests. Once an employee becomes fully qualified as a FFT1, has completed S-290, and has time in grade as a GS-4, he or she may be converted to a GS-5 permanent full time position.

Livestock Handler

Crawford Livestock Market
01.2020 - 11.2022

A livestock handler at a market is responsible for the management of animals including the care, handling, movement, and processing of livestock before, during, and after sales, ensuring their well-being and safety. Key duties include safely loading, unloading, sorting, and penning animals such as cattle, horses, and bison, as well as providing basic care like feeding and watering. This role also involved maintaining the facility's general upkeep and cleanliness including the livestock's infrastructures such as the selling ring, stables, barns, barnyards and pens. This role also involved having human interactions with interacting professionally with producers, buyers, and other staff.

Maintenance Laborer

Chadron State Park
04.2022 - 11.2022

Under general supervision, a State Park Maintenance Worker performs manual and semi-skilled work to construct, maintain, and repair park grounds, facilities, and equipment. The maintenance worker ensures the park is safe, clean, and well-functioning for the public while following proper safety procedures. This position possessed a strong orientation towards customer service, a stewardship philosophy toward ecosystem management, and is committed to professional development.

Maintenance Laborer

Chadron State Park
05.2021 - 08.2021

Under general supervision, a State Park Maintenance Worker performs manual and semi-skilled work to construct, maintain, and repair park grounds, facilities, and equipment. The maintenance worker ensures the park is safe, clean, and well-functioning for the public while following proper safety procedures. This position possessed a strong orientation towards customer service, a stewardship philosophy toward ecosystem management, and is committed to professional development.

Retail Stocker

Bomgaars
06.2020 - 08.2020

A Bomgaars stocker is primarily responsible for receiving, unpacking, and stocking merchandise on the sales floor to ensure shelves are organized, displays are appealing, and inventory is properly maintained. Other duties included maintaining cleanliness, identifying damaged goods, and assisting with customer service and with fellow associates.

Jeep Tour Guide

Fort Robinson State Park
05.2019 - 08.2019

A State Park Jeep Tour Guide leads groups on scenic drives, sharing knowledge about the park's history, geology, flora, and fauna while ensuring passenger safety and comfort. Key responsibilities included driving the Jeep off-road, educating guests, providing a fun experience for guests, maintaining the vehicle, managing guest needs, adhering to safety protocols, and promoting responsible use of the park and its resources.

Retail Stocker

Bomgaars
05.2018 - 08.2018

A Bomgaars stocker is primarily responsible for receiving, unpacking, and stocking merchandise on the sales floor to ensure shelves are organized, displays are appealing, and inventory is properly maintained. Other duties included maintaining cleanliness, identifying damaged goods, and assisting with customer service and with fellow associates.

Retail Stocker

Bomgaars
05.2017 - 07.2017

A Bomgaars stocker is primarily responsible for receiving, unpacking, and stocking merchandise on the sales floor to ensure shelves are organized, displays are appealing, and inventory is properly maintained. Other duties included maintaining cleanliness, identifying damaged goods, and assisting with customer service and with fellow associates.

Retail Stocker

Bomgaars
05.2016 - 08.2016

A Bomgaars stocker is primarily responsible for receiving, unpacking, and stocking merchandise on the sales floor to ensure shelves are organized, displays are appealing, and inventory is properly maintained. Other duties included maintaining cleanliness, identifying damaged goods, and assisting with customer service and with fellow associates.

Education

Crawford Public Schools
Crawford, NE

Skills

  • Fire crew leadership
  • Team collaboration
  • Flexible and adaptable
  • Cooperative relationships
  • Physical fitness and endurance

Certification

FFT1-Firefighter Type 1 (Aug-2025)

ICT5-Incident Command Type 5 (Aug-2025)

FFT2-Firefighter Type 2 (May-2023)

FAL3-Basic Faller (19-May-2023)

UTVO-UTV Operator (24-May-2023)

N9067-UTV Operator (19-May-2023)

Adult First Aid (23-May-2024)

CPR AED (23-May-2024)

PHFTA-Physical Fitness-Arduous (June-2025)

IS-100 Introduction to ICS, (15-Dec-2019)

IS-200 Basic ICS for Initial Response (25-Jan-2020)

IS-700 An Introduction to NIMS (15-Dec-2019)

L-180 Human Factors in WF Service (12-Nov-2019)

RT-130 Fire Safety Annual Refresher (06-June-2025)

S-130 Firefighter Training (12-Nov-2019)

S-131 Firefighter Type 1 Training (25-Jan-2020)

S-190 Intro Wildland Fire Behavior (12-Nov-2019)

S-211 Portable Pumps and Water Use (31-May-2023)

S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws (15-May-2023)

S-215 Fire Operations in the Wildland Urban Interface (11-Aug-2024)

S-290 Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (14-Mar-2024)

A-100 Basic Aviation Safety (13-Aug-2025)

A-109 Aviation Radio Use (20-Aug-2025

A-110 Aviation Transportation of Hazard Materials (14-Aug-2025)

SEAT1 SEAT Fire Behavior (13-Aug-2025)

SEAT2 SEAT Operations (13-Aug-2025)

SEAT3 SEAT Firefighting Tactics (14-Aug-2025)




Timeline

Senior Firefighter Engine (ENGSRFF)

USDA Forest Service
04.2024 - Current

Forestry Tech Firefighter (FFTR34)

USDA Forest Service
05.2023 - 04.2024

Maintenance Laborer

Chadron State Park
04.2022 - 11.2022

Maintenance Laborer

Chadron State Park
05.2021 - 08.2021

Retail Stocker

Bomgaars
06.2020 - 08.2020

Livestock Handler

Crawford Livestock Market
01.2020 - 11.2022

Jeep Tour Guide

Fort Robinson State Park
05.2019 - 08.2019

Retail Stocker

Bomgaars
05.2018 - 08.2018

Retail Stocker

Bomgaars
05.2017 - 07.2017

Retail Stocker

Bomgaars
05.2016 - 08.2016

Crawford Public Schools
Austin Kennedy