Fire Science
Frederick J. Knipper
57 Cresthaven Drive
fjknipper@alltel.net
Sanford, NC 27332
(919) 498-9941
Mr. Fred Knipper began his Fire Service career in 1976 as a volunteer Fire Fighter with the West Islip Fire Department in New York. In 1978, he enlisted in the Air Force as a firefighter. After graduating from the US Air Force Fire Protection Academy, Fred served in almost every position available in the fire service culminating as a Fire Chief at a very large fire department in Germany. Immediately following Fred’s first assignment, Fred was selected to return to the US Air Force Fire Protection Academy and serve as an instructor. During his tenure at the school, Fred taught a number of courses to include Aircraft Rescue Firefighting, Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Vehicle Operations, and Fire Investigations. Fred’s 27-year career with the Air Force took him around the world with assignments throughout Europe, Asia, Central America, Southwest Asia, Africa, and all over the United States. Mr. Knipper retired from the Air Force in December, 2004 after almost 27-years of service.
Mr. Knipper has taught at a variety of institutions, colleges, and fire academies throughout the world during his 30-years involvement with the fire service. His passion for teaching is not only limited to fire service related subjects but he is also a Federal Aviation Administration rated Advanced Ground Instructor.
Mr. Knipper currently is the Director, Fire & Safety Division for Duke University and the Duke Health System. He serves as an Adjunct faculty member at Fayetteville Technical Community College and also serves as a volunteer firefighter with the Spout Springs Emergency Services.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Thirty-years of documented success in planning and directing operations, command and control, airport operations, developing and conducting training programs, leadership, management, and coordinating major activities. Vast experience in all areas of fire protection, education, total quality management, process improvement, human resource and fiscal management, labor relations, personnel and resource protection. Extensive career ands volunteer fire fighting experience
EDUCATION
Master of Science with Honors, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Aviation Operations and Safety Systems (4.0 GPA)
Bachelor of Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Professional Aeronautics (3.82 GPA)
Associates Applied Science, Community College of the Air Force, Personnel/Human Resource Management
Associates Applied Science, Community College of the Air Force, Instructor of Technology and Military Sciences
Associates Applied Science, Community College of the Air Force, Fire Science
Completed numerous instructional, field, and leadership and management related courses
SKILLS
Command and Control/Incident Management System Cost of Quality
Quality and Human Resource Management Project Management
Strategic Planning Performance Improvement
Organization Assessment Organizational Change Management
Team Leader and Facilitator Instructional System Design
Test & Measurement Writing Course Development
Personnel Management Conflict Resolution
Training Concepts and Techniques Master Instructor
Counseling Process Improvement
Problem Solving Team Building
ACHIEVEMENTS
DIRECTOR, FIRE & SAFETY DIVISION
2005 – Present DUKE UNIVERSITY, DUKE HOSPITAL, DUKE HEALTH SYSTEM
Mr. Knipper provides leadership direction to a staff of twelve supervisory and division employees, and serves as technical expert in fire and life safety matters. Provides counsel to university administration and departments. Determines division fiscal requirements and prepares budgets. Monitors, verifies, and reconciles expenditures of $1.3 million budgeted funds. Plans, organizes, and manages the fire protection and fire safety programs throughout the university. Provide direction for building construction designs, fire protection oversight, and audit programs, fire loss methodologies, fire safety inspection reports, and fire prevention training activities. Develop Operating Instruction to provide clear guidance and directive to ensure fire protection/prevention programs are understood and adhered to by all university employees.
SENIOR MANAGER
1995 – 2004 UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Senior level manager for general day-to-day supervision of up to 1300 employees in airfield management and support career skill sets. The major areas covered are organizational planning, organizational development, employment, indoctrination and training, employee relations, compensation, benefits, safety, health, morale, and employee services. This position required the origination of policies, programs, and objectives that will provide a balanced environment throughout all divisions. Manage and supervise all personnel and administrative employees and programs. He reported to the Chief Executive Officer as the ranking senior manager. Assists and advises CEO on all issues affecting employees/issues. Conduct inquiries and investigations in allegations of wrong doing and misbehavior. Coordinate actions with legal authorities and local law enforcement personnel. He also supervised the financial controller with direct responsibility for planning, directing, executing and forecasting budgets in excess of $2 million.
SAFETY OFFICER—AVIATION DIVISION
1999 – 2001 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY FLIGHT TRAINING CENTER, CO
In this capacity Fred conducted an aggressive aviation safety program that includes operations, training and maintenance functions. Works closely with the higher headquarters safety manager, FAA Aviation Safety Program Manager, and the Air Force Safety Agency to develop and maintain a rigorous and pro-active mishap prevention program. Duties include but are not limited to being alert to potential hazards and recommending changes in procedures to eliminate the hazards. Conduct scheduled and unscheduled safety inspections in all functional areas. Coordinate with appropriate agencies to correct safety deficiencies discovered during inspections. Conduct monthly safety meetings for all Training Center pilots, students, maintenance and administrative personnel. Prepare minutes of all meetings and file minutes in appropriate locations within 5 days of the meetings. Maintain a safety bulletin board.
COURSE DIRECTOR—FAA PRIVATE PILOT GROUND SCHOOL
1999 – 2001 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY FLIGHT TRAINING CENTER, CO
Actively responsible for the development, management and instruction of new student pilots in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulations. Create and implement training goals, objectives, and guide-line standards, with an emphasis on flight and ground safety. Administer written measurements, to evaluate student comprehension and provide certification endorsement for students to take FAA written examination
ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF, LOGISTICS AND READINESS DIVISION
1994 – 1995 UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Personally selected for this staff level position to initiate, develop, and implement a contingency operations and training program. Focus on educating management personnel in the theory and practical application of worldwide environmental contingency operations. He was responsible for the development, management, and instruction of new programs within compliance guidelines to include pre-deployment, deployment, sustainment, and redeployment during contingency operations. Create and implement goals, objectives, guidelines, and team building. He also managed the compliance evaluation program ensuring all program, procedures, actions, and expenditures were in accordance with higher headquarters directives. Additional responsibilities include assisting in budget development and execution of a $500,000 budget and supervision of all logistics functions.
FIRE CHIEF
1991 – 1994 UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Actively responsible for the leadership and management of all fire protection functions and 100 fire department personnel in an international theater of operations. Plans, organizes, and directs all fire protection activities to included structural and aircraft fire fighting operations, rescue, emergency medical service, hazardous material emergencies, fire prevention and inspection, fire investigations, and fire department training. In this capacity, he developed a fire protection program to achieve maximum protection for local, international, and private agencies with facilities worth over $755 million. Additionally, he managed three fire stations and a fire prevention division facility charged with protecting a 1080 square mile city and the largest weapons storage area in Europe.
ADJUNCT FACULTY MEMBER—FIRE SCIENCE PROGRAM
1992 – 1994 CITY COLLEGES OF CHICAGO—EUROPE
CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE—EUROPE
Fred taught classes as agreed to by contract in accordance with established term dates and class hours. Evaluated students to ensure they were meeting course objectives. Utilized selected textbook, other teaching material and extensive outside research to develop course outline and syllabi, and prepare for class. Developed and administered written assessments to evaluate student comprehension and progress towards meeting course goals and objectives. Participated in appropriate faculty workshops and performed other related teaching tasks as assigned by the Faculty Director.
ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF, TRAINING DIVISION/SAFETY OFFICER
1990 – 1991 UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Managed and conducted a top-notch training program for a 100-person department. Developed and implemented comprehensive training programs for all divisions within the department. Provided training in the areas of job knowledge, specialized training, and advanced training. Scheduled training classes, locations and contracted training classes. Conducted all areas of instruction, maintained applicable records, developed lesson plans, wrote and administered written test measurements, and evaluated training given by other instructors.
ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF, OPERATIONS DIVISION
1989 – 1990 UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Mr. Knipper directly supervised, lead, and managed crews and equipment for one operational shift consisting of 24 personnel disbursed to three geographically separated areas. He ensured that coworkers carried out assigned duties. Responded to emergencies taking command of situations and remained in-charge till all operations were complete. He also conducted follow-up and investigation to determine cause of incidents. Completed reports and forwarded to higher headquarters for evaluation, and conducted on the job training with assigned personnel ensuring proficiency and job knowledge.
ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF, TRAINING DIVISION/SAFETY OFFICER
1986 – 1989 UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Mr. Knipper held the responsibility for managing and conducting a top-notch training program for a 72 person department. Developed and implemented comprehensive training programs for all divisions within the department. He also provided training in the areas of job knowledge, specialized training, and advanced training to include operations training, nuclear, biological and chemical weapon response and fire fighting and other conventional weapons programs. Scheduled training classes, locations and contracted training classes. Conducted all areas of instruction, maintained applicable records, developed lesson plans, wrote and administered written test measurements, and evaluated training given by other instructors.
COURSE DIRECTOR, FIRE FIGHTER I CERTIFICATION
1986 – 1989 BURLINGTON COUNTY FIRE ACADEMY, NJ
Responsible for the development, management, and instruction of the Fire Fighter I Certification Course within compliance standards established by state and local government authorities. Assist in budget development including projections for future years. Create and implement goals, objectives, guidelines, and procedures with an emphasis on quality and safety. Developed and administered written measurement to evaluate student progress.
ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF, OPERATIONS DIVISION
1985 – 1986 UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Directly supervised, lead, and managed crews and equipment for one operational shift consisting of 24 personnel disbursed to three geographically separated areas. Followed directives and orders. Ensured that coworkers carried out assigned duties. Responded to emergencies taking command of situations and remained in-charge till all operations were complete. Conducted follow-up and investigation to determine cause of incidents. Completed reports and forwarded to higher headquarters for evaluation. Conducted on the job training with assigned personnel ensuring proficiency and job knowledge. Lead Hazardous Material Team member for regional HazMat Team.
FIRE INSTRUCTOR
1980 – 1985 UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Traveled throughout the world providing top-notch classroom and practical instruction in diverse environments and cultures. Used written measurement tools to evaluate students comprehension and retention capabilities. Developed student workbooks, study guides, instructor lesson plans, and measurement items. Utilized Instructional System Design concepts and practices to develop a course with an expected delivery to over 2,000 students over its life cycle.
1992 – 1994 President, Vogelweh Elementary School Parent, Teacher, Student Association
1992 – 1993 Vice President, Mantas American Dive Club
1991 – 1993 President, Kiaserslautern District Schools Advisory Council
1990 – 1993 President, Vogelweh Elementary School Advisory Council
CERTIFICATIONS
(IFSAC--International Fire Service Accreditation Congress-Oklahoma State University)
IFSAC Fire Officer IV IFSAC Fire Officer III IFSAC Fire Officer II
IFSAC Fire Officer I IFSAC Fire Instructor III IFSAC Fire Instructor II
IFSAC Fire Instructor I IFSAC Airport Fire Fighter IFSAC Driver Operator-ARFF
IFSAC Fire Fighter II IFSAC Fire Fighter I IFSAC Driver Operator-Pumper
(FAA--Federal Aviation Administration) FAA Private Pilot FAA Advanced Ground Instructor
(PADI—Professional Association of Diving Instructors)
PADI Advance Open Water Diver PADI Night Diver PADI Deep Diver