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Ben McMinn

Rick LaValla

Objective:

“I believe that God has gifted me with the ability to serve in public safety and I have a passion for using this gift to help find the lost. The Virtual Search Planning Process has changed how we as a state (Mississippi) fundamentally operate our search and rescue program. I look forward to seeing this program grow worldwide.”


Education:

  • Southaven High School: 1997-2001 (Diploma)
  • Northwest Community College: 2012 (EMT-B)
  • Meridian Community College: 2015 (Associates of Applied Arts-Fire Protection Technology/Fire Admin & Science)
  • Mississippi Fire Academy: 2001-Present (Fire/Rescue Related Courses)

    • Certifications:

  • NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level I & II
  • EMT-B, EMS-D
  • NFPA 1002 Fire Apparatus Driver Operator
  • Engine Company Operations
  • Truck Company Operations
  • Firefighter Rescue & Survival Techniques
  • Hazardous Materials Tech I & II
  • Rope Rescue Tech I & II
  • Confined Space Tech
  • Trench Rescue Tech
  • Structural Collapse Tech
  • Swift Water Tech
  • Large Animal Rescue Tech
  • NFPA 1021 Fire Officer Level I & II
  • NFPA 1041 Fire Service Instructor Level I, II, & III
  • NFPA 1033 Fire Investigator
  • NFPA 1031 Fire Inspector Level I
  • NFPA 1021 Fire Service Safety Officer
  • Fire Service Management
  • NASAR SAR TECH I & II
  • NASAR Managing Lost Person Incidents
  • Virtual Search Planning
  • US Coast Guard Inland Search Planner
  • ICS 100,200,300,400,700, 701, 702, 703, 704, 800
  • FAA Part 107 Drone Pilot

    • Employment:

  • Desoto County Emergency Services (2017-Present)
    • - Title: Division Chief-Special Operations and Training
    • - Program Manager Mississippi US&R Task Force 1
  • City of Hernando Fire & EMS (2002-2017)
    • - Title: Lieutenant
    • - Member Mississippi US&R Task Force 1

    Experience:

  • Firefighter/EMT, 2001-Current
  • Emergency Management Operations Specialist, 2017-Current
  • Technical Rescue Specialist-Mississippi US&R Task Force 1, 2007-Current
  • Program Manager-Mississippi US&R Task Force, 2017-Current
  • Search Planner-Mississippi Office of Homeland Security, 2015-Current
  • Wilderness & Urban Search and Rescue Instructor/Presenter, 2015-Current