Toad Haul Manor |
Whiskers and the late Roger Dodger |
The first three years of my travels are dedicated to my late wife, Janet Kay Robertson.
Upon arriving in Flagstaff, AZ in 2016 I met my new life partner, Cathie Schmidlin, a retired US Forest Service employee. We retain the RV, Toad Haul Manor, and travel as much as we can, but now we reside in a house in Flagstaff.
My previous four decades were spent in varied careers of alternative energy development (solar, wind, energy conservation), information technology, and shelter: building rehabilitation, historic preservation, and community development. When I wasn't working indoors, I was usually exploring the outdoors. Below are the Cliff Notes of the full task book still in editing
I began my travels on the road as a solo, work-camper with diverse experience and skills in the teaching profession, project management, computer/networking/wireless systems technology, social media, building construction trades, facilities management, RV and property maintenance, property inspection services, and solar energy and energy conservation technology and services.
RELEVANT VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE
(10/2017 to Present) Friends of Northern Arizona Forests, Flagstaff, AZ
(10/2016 – 01/31/2017) VIP Ranger, Walnut Canyon National Monument, Flagstaff, Arizona
Visitor center interpretive services, access fee collector and gift shop cashier.
(04/2016 – 10/2016) Assistant Coordinator, Preventative Search and Rescue Program in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness and Interpretive Partnership Roving Ranger Program of the National Park Service and US Forest Service, Flagstaff, Arizona
(04/2016
– Present) Coconino County Sheriff’s
Office, Search and Rescue Team and Instructor
of the national Hug A Tree and Survive Preventative Search
and Rescue (PSAR) program.
Coconino
County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team
Home Builder with Habitat For
Humanity’s RV Care-A-Vanner
Program.
- 01/14/2018 – 01/28/2018: GV18-0030, Hobbs, NM
- 03/21/2016 – 03/25/2016: GV16-0200, Taos, NM
- 02/21/2016 – 03/09/2016: GV16-0071, Mason, TX
- 11/16/2016 – 12/27/2015: GV15-0208, 0209, & 0210, Hobbs, NM
- 10/04/2015 – 11/01/2015: GV15-0239 & 0240, Las Cruces, NM
- 03/22/2015 – 04/01/2015: GV15-0101, Salt Lake City, UT
(03/2015
– 09/2015) Campground Host / River
Permit Inspector / Maintenance Volunteer, National Park Service, Dinosaur National Monument, Gates of LoDore
Campground, Colorado
Assisted park staff in managing riverside
campground. Provided visitors with information regarding natural and cultural resources,
park regulations, permits and fees. Performed 500+ rafting group
equipment/safety inspections and orientations.
Maintained all site buildings, campgrounds, and trails. Operated government vehicles, tools and radio
equipment. Assessed situations and reported emergencies and major violations to
law enforcement officials.
(2007
- Present) – American Red Cross - Central Iowa Chapter,
Des Moines, Iowa
Disaster
Response Manager
of the National Disaster Action Team known as DST: Disaster Services
Technology. The DST Team is the technical backbone of the Red Cross Disaster
Services during regional and national disaster operations. Responsible for all
voice and data communication infrastructure during any disaster operation. This
includes cell phones, VoIP phones, Emergency Response Vehicles (ERV) radio
systems, satellite and landline phones, satellite dishes, the emergency communications
trailer, analog fax machines, IP fax machines, UHF radios, VHF radios, FRS
radios, deployed servers and workstation computers, etc.
(2011 - 2015) American Red Cross - Metropolitan
Disaster Action Team (DAT) Lead for the Central Iowa Region. Local Disaster Responder to local
single-family and apartment disasters (e.g. fires and floods) to provide
emergency assistance of food, clothing, shelter, and medical support. DOVE Program Member.
(1990
- Present) Sierra Club
Wilderness, Service Project and Expedition Leader, San Francisco Headquarters, California
Leadership Roles:
- Midwest National Outings Chair, San Francisco, California
- Illinois Chapter Executive Committee Outings Chair, Springfield, Illinois
- Shawnee Group Executive Committee Outings Leader, Carbondale, Illinois
Service
and Volunteer Trip Leader For:
- Buffalo National River Service (National Park Service), Arkansas
- St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Service (2x) (National Park Service), Minnesota
- Katy Trail Bike Tour, Missouri
- Mickelson Trail Bike Tour, South Dakota
- Vince Shute Black Bear Sanctuary, Minnesota
Other
volunteer activities:
Rebuilding Together – Building Rehabilitation Foreman
MISCELLANEOUS SKILLS
& AVOCATIONS
- Construction trades skills: carpentry, plumbing, electrical, drywall/masonry, flooring, & coatings.
- Equipment operator: farm and construction tractors, trencher, backhoe, dozer, aerial/articulating lifts, Gator utility vehicles, ATV/UTV, snow cats, snowmobiles, school bus
- Youth counselor, wilderness/survival skills trainer/leader (camping, canoeing, mountaineering)
- Health & Safety: Recent EMT School graduate. Currently certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR. Prior certification as an Urban First Responder.
- Historic Preservation: building restoration, preservation policy advocate, community organizer.
- Hobbies: Downhill skiing, bicycle camping, and wilderness exploration.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
(01/2017 – Present) IT Specialist -- Reservist Cadre, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Washington, DC. Responsible for Local Area Network (LAN) (PCs, servers, printers, and faxes), interconnection to the Wide Area Network (WAM) (routers and external interface devices), all telecommunications routes and services (PABX and phones), and all internal and external coordination for these services. Participated in Hurricane Harvey and IRMA deployments.
(12/2009 – 12/2014) President of Des Moines Tech Support LLC, Des Moines, Iowa
(12/2009 – 12/2014) President of Des Moines Tech Support LLC, Des Moines, Iowa
Website/blog
designer and technical consultant. Computer repair services.
(12/2010
- 07/2014) Technology Coordinator II
at Titan Tire, Inc., Des Moines, Iowa
Office
and tire manufacturing facility focused technology management and end-user of
data networks, printers, security, public address (PA), telephony, and disaster
recovery.
(04/2007
- 11/09) IT Lead at Marketlink, Inc., Des Moines, Iowa
Large,
multi-state telephony call center technology director.
(12/2004
- 11/06) IT Director at Southern Illinois
Regional Social Services, Carbondale, Illinois
Responsible
for a regional mental health center computer system and its integrated
behavioral health management, accounting system, fundraising, and HR systems.
(04/1999
- 12/04) Director of Computing Services
at Jackson County Government, Computing Services
Department, Murphysboro, Illinois. Systems administrator of a county’s IT
operations including Geographic Information System (GIS).
(1990
- 1998) Founder and Director of
Shawnee Free-Net, Inc., Carbondale, Illinois
Founder
of internet service provider focused on delivering technology resources to
underserved non-profit agencies.
(1986
- 1991) Owner-Manager of Inspector
General, Carbondale, Illinois
Residential
real estate inspection company.
(1986
- 1991) Owner-Manager of Bob Pauls’
Rehabilitation Services, Carbondale, Illinois
Historic
property restoration and consulting company.
(1985
- 1990) Adjunct Faculty, John
A. Logan Community College, Carterville, Illinois
Taught
environmental studies, anthropology, sociology, and political science
curriculum.
(10/1979
- 1985) Energy Coordinator, City of Carbondale, Illinois
Provider
of residential and commercial energy audits and education programs on renewable
energy resources and energy conservation.
(2/1979
- 9/1979) Project Research Coordinator,
So. Illinois University, Carbondale,
Illinois
Co-author
of state-wide community college renewable energy teaching curriculum.
(1976
- 1979) Co-editor & Business Manager,
Alternative Sources of Energy Magazine, Milaca, Minnesota. Pioneering conservation and renewable energy
publisher.
(1973
- 1976) Institutional Researcher, Minnesota Metropolitan University, St. Paul,
Minnesota
Statistical
researcher and federal report writer.
FORMAL EDUCATION
Completed
two years of Masters Degree study at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
in community computing (social) networks before leaving to manage a new ISP
company.
Bachelor
of Arts, Political Science. Augsburg College, Minneapolis,
Minnesota
Minor
concentrations: American Studies and Sociology
PROFESSIONAL
CERTIFICATIONS
--
SARTECH II Certified, National Association
For Search and Rescue
--
Emergency Medical Technician, EMS University, Tempe, AZ
--
Data Center
University
Associate (DCCA) by Schneider/APC
--
Microsoft Certified
Professional
(MCP)
--
Computer Technology Industries Association (COMPTIA): Server+
Subject Matter Expert,
--
Certified SonicWALL
Systems Administrator
(CSSA) {SonicWALL was acquired by Dell}
--
50+ IT Course certificates from Microsoft, HP and others.
--
FEMA Courses: (ID: 0001912779)
·
Introduction
to Incident Command System, ICS-100
·
ICS
for Single Resources and Initial Action Incident, IS-200b
·
Incident
Command System, Intermediate, MAG 300 (Arizona)
·
Incident
Command System, Advanced, MAG 400 (Arizona)
·
National
Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction, IS-700.a
·
National
Response Framework, An Introduction. IS 800.b
·
WIN-CASIE
– Victim Search Location Methodology Software
-- American
Red Cross Courses:
·
Basic
Food Handling
·
CBRNE
Ready Respond
·
Client
Assistance Cards Caseworkers
·
Client
Assistance Cards Financial and Statistical Information Management Workers
·
Client
Assistance System (CAS) Workshop
·
Client
Casework: Providing Emergency Assistance
·
Collaborating
to Ensure Effective Service Delivery
·
CPR/AED
for the Professional Rescuer and the Healthcare Provider
·
Disaster
Frontline Supervisor and Simulation
·
Disaster
Public Affairs Overview
·
Disaster
Services Technology T048 - The First 48 Hours of a DRO
·
Disaster
Services Technology Communications Workshop - DSMSS114W
·
Disaster
Services Technology Computer Operations Workshop - DSMSS113W
·
Disaster
Services Technology Customer Service Workshop - DSMSS111W
·
Disaster
Services Technology Networking Workshop - DSMSS112W
·
Disaster
Services Technology Overview Workshop - DSMSS110W
·
Disaster
Services Technology Workshop -TIMS - DSMSS115W
·
Disaster
Volunteer Management Team Workshop
·
Emergency
Operation Center/Incident Command
·
ERV:
Ready, Set, Roll!!!
·
Fundamentals
of Chapter Disaster Operation Management
·
Fundamentals
of Disaster Assessment
·
Fundamentals
of Disaster Public Affairs Local Response
·
Fundamentals
of Disaster Public Affairs National Response
·
Fundamentals
of Staff Services
·
International
Humanitarian Law
·
Introduction
to Disaster Services
·
Mass
Care: An Overview
·
Mass
Care Operations
·
Mass
Casualty Disasters (ARC 3079)
·
National
Shelter System Introduction
·
NSC
Defensive Driving Course 8.2 Edition (2010.03.05)
·
Preparing
for and Managing a Spontaneous Volunteer Workforce
·
Psychological
First Aid
·
Response
Center Enterprise Call Agent Training
·
Serving
People with Disabilities Following a Disaster
·
Staff
Health: An Overview
·
Staff
Health: Working on Disaster Relief Operation
______________________________________________________________________________
Connect to the author by:
Facebook:
LinkedIn:
Also accessible via:
Connect to the author by:
Facebook:
LinkedIn:
Also accessible via:
Memberships:
- American Red Cross, Disaster Technology Action Team (DAT) Manager
- Escapees DOVE BOF*
- Habitat For Humanity Care-A-Vanners (Home Builder) DOVE (Disaster Volunteer)
* Members of DOVE are Red Cross-trained in disaster relief and recovery skills like all other Red Cross disaster workforce volunteers, and they participate in disaster services in some capacity, such as performing administrative tasks at a local chapter, serving on their Disaster Action Team (DAT), teaching disaster classes, or going on deployment to national disasters.
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