Garret Kaminskis's Page

Profile Information

Department:: South Shore Fire Department

Title/rank:: Battalion Chief

Years of public service:: 30

Agency structure:: Paid fire department

Top issues in your department:: Minimum Staffing Levels
Mission Creep...Doing too much with too little.
Regional Consolidation Pressures
Training Time Constraints
Special Operations Proficiency
State Shared Revenue Cuts

Professional Qualifications:: North American Safety Systems, LLC
President/CEO
2002 to Present

AIR-ONE Search & Rescue
Air Rescue Specialist/Crew Chief
2009 to Present

South Shore Fire Department
Battalion Chief
1980 to Present

Ropes and Rescue, Inc
Co-Owner/Vice President
1994 to 2004

CMC Rescue, Inc.
Adunct Traner
1998 to 2003

Topics you provide training for:: Air Rescue Specialist
High Angle Rope Rescue
Confined Space Rescue
Trench Rescue
Structural Collapse Rescue
Emergency Building Shoring Rescue
Hazardous Materials Emergency Response
MSHA New Miner Part 46
OSHA 1910 Compliance
Industrial Emergency Response Teams

Areas of expertise:: Air Rescue Specialist
High Angle Rope Rescue
Confined Space Rescue
Trench Rescue
Structural Collapse Rescue
Emergency Building Shoring Rescue
Hazardous Materials Emergency Response
MSHA New Miner Part 46
OSHA 1910 Compliance
Industial Emergency Response Teams

Bio:: Garret J. Kaminskis, NASS CEO and lead instructor, has dedicated his career to ensuring the safety of others.

In 1980 he started his career as a firefighter and emergency medical technician, for the then Town of Mt Pleasant Fire Department, a combination department located in Southeastern Wisconsin.

Since 1986 he has been a Wisconsin State Certified Fire Service Instructor. During his ascent in rank, Garret worked for three separate Wisconsin Technical Colleges teaching State of Wisconsin Firefighter Certification Programs and EPA 165 Series 40-hour Hazmat Technician Courses. During this period he was successful in bringing the State of Arizona ~ City of Phoenix Fire Department "Confined Space Rescue Technician" train-the-trainer program to Wisconsin through a cooperative effort with Lakeshore Technical College.

In 1994 he purchased Ropes and Rescue, Inc which he worked with a partner to build into the Midwest's largest and most respected technical rescue equipment and training company. During this year he began working for S.C. Johnson's Safety & Environmental Affairs as a safety consultant delivering OSHA & EPA on-site compliance classes.

In 1996 Garret was appointed as the volunteer Fire Chief for the Raymond Fire & Rescue Department where he served for two years.

In 1998 Garret was hired by CMC Rescue School in Santa Barbara, California as an instructor.

In 2000 Garret was appointed to the board of directors for the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians where he assisted in writing "Safe Practices for Rope Access Work" March 24, 2001 edition and assisted in the developing their certification process for rope access workers.

In 2002 he founded North American Safety Systems, LLC to address the needs of OSHA general industry and the MSHA mining community.

In 2003 Garret was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief for the Village of Mt Pleasant Fire Department, one of the fastest growing communities in the Chicago/Milwaukee metropolitan area.

Between 2004 and 2007 Garret sold his interest in Ropes and Rescue, Inc to focus on NASS and spend more time with his family.

On November 24, 2007, North American Safety Systems purchased Ropes and Rescue School back from his former partner. Garret reorganized both companies into one highly focused occupational health and safety service provider.
...
Garret, as part of the restructuring was given the rank of Battalion Chief in charge of the B-shift Platoon, Environmental, Health & Safety Committee, Specialized Rescue Teams and Fleet Maintenance and Equipment. This new organization revolutionizes emergency services in southeast Wisconsin. Talks are now underway with other surrounding communities to expand this department over a larger geographic area making it the model for the future...Much more to come!
NASS RESCUE TM

2009 In April of this year Garret joined the Kenosha County Specialized Response Team.
...
September 2009 Garret became an Air Rescue Specialist for AIR-ONE Search & Rescue a Division of the Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition.

Web site:: http://www.northamericansafetysystems.com

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