Michael Wells
Brunswick
Summary
Dynamic fire service professional with over 20 years of diverse experience across multiple disciplines, demonstrating a proactive and team-oriented leadership style. Expertise in change management and lifelong learning fosters innovative solutions to complex organizational challenges, particularly in emergency operations and behavioral health crisis response. Commitment to setting achievable goals and leading by example enhances team collaboration, while strong interpersonal skills effectively engage and motivate others through transitions. Empowering teams and instilling best practices drive significant organizational improvements, delivering exceptional results.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
2ND VICE-PRESDIENT
Prince George’s County Professional Firefighters & Paramedics Association, Local 1619
01.2024 - Current
- PROTECT HEALTH AND WELFARE OF MEMBERS THROUGH THE LENS OF A STRONG COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT AND POLITICAL ACTION.
- DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT NEW STRATEGIES AND COLLABORATION WITH THE FIRE ADMINISTRATION TO ESTABLISH AND ACHIEVE LONG-TERM OBJECTIVES, PROVIDING THE DEPARTMENT WITH STRONG AND SUSTAINABLE ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP.
- MANAGE $1.5 MILLION BUDGET AND A FIRE-PAC ACCOUNT UP TO $350,000.
- DRAFTED, TRACKED, AND TESTIFIED ON LOCAL AND STATE LEGISLATION AS NEEDED.
- ENGAGE IN PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING TO MAINTAIN STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS TO UPHOLD STANDARDS, POLICIES, AND REGULATORY GUIDELINES, AND PROMOTE A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT.
Behavioral Health Director
Professional Fire Fighters of Maryland (PFFMD)
01.2022 - Current
- CONSULT WITH IAFF AFFILIATES ACROSS THE STATE AND DEVELOP BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS FOR THEIR MEMBERS.
- PROVIDE LEGISLATIVE TESTIMONY AS A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH MATTERS IN THE FIRE SERVICE
- MANAGE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES ACROSS THE STATE OF MARYLAND, PROVIDING TRAINING, OPERATIONAL SUPPORT, AND CREATING PARTNERSHIPS WITHIN THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COMMUNITY THROUGH A BUDGET GREATER THAN $250,000.
- DEVELOP POLICY AND LEGISLATION ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TOPICS FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND
Peer Support Master Instructor
International Association of Fire Fighters, ALF-CIO
10.2018 - Current
- WORKING WITH IAFF LOCALS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA TO CERTIFY MEMBERS IN PEER SUPPORT.
- PROVIDE EDUCATION ON PROGRAM DESIGN, INTERVENTION NETWORKING, CRISIS RESPONSE, ACCESS TO BENEFITS, AND ESTABLISH BEST PRACTICES.
- BOLSTER CONFIDENCE FOR LOCAL UNIONS TO FORM THEIR OWN PROGRAMS AND DESIGN POLICIES TO SUPPORT THEIR MEMBERS' BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DURING OPERATIONS.
- LEAD CRISIS RESPONSE EFFORTS AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE IAFF TO IMPACTED COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, I.E., NATURAL DISASTERS, MEMBER SUICIDE, LODD, AND TERROR ATTACKS.
- INTRODUCE LEGISLATION, CONTRACT LANGUAGE, AND POLICY AS IT PERTAINS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IN THE FIRE SERVICE.
- ESTABLISH PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND ORGANIZATIONS AND PROVIDE EDUCATION TO THE 350,000+ MEMBERS.
Education
Bachelors of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies, Human Services
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Amherst, MA05-2023
Associates Degree - Psychology
Frederick Community College
05-2021
Skills
- Negotiation expertise
- Financial budget oversight
- Policy advocacy
- Development of behavioral health programs
- Comprehensive policy design
- Crisis response leadership
- Effective stakeholder communication
- Systematic program development
- Effective strategic planning
- Multitasking capacity
- Effective team collaboration
- Effective problem resolution
Certification
- IAFF PEER SUPPORT TRAINING
- SUICIDE INTERVENTION/CRISIS
- NEGOTIATION SPECIALIST
- CRISIS INTERVENTION
- RESILIENCY/COPING STRATEGIES
- STRESS FIRST AID
- DISASTER RESPONSE
WORKGROUPS
- IAFF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COMMITTEE
- IAFF CLINICIAN CULTURAL COMPETENCY COURSE
- MARYLAND ALLIANCE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY SUPPORT
- PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ALLIANCE
- IAFF DISASTER DEPLOYMENT COURSE
Timeline
2ND VICE-PRESDIENT
Prince George’s County Professional Firefighters & Paramedics Association, Local 1619
01.2024 - Current
Behavioral Health Director
Professional Fire Fighters of Maryland (PFFMD)
01.2022 - Current
Peer Support Master Instructor
International Association of Fire Fighters, ALF-CIO
10.2018 - Current
Bachelors of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies, Human Services
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Associates Degree - Psychology
Frederick Community College