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Great learning experience with hands-on training

Learned a lot and in a fun and interesting way. The training was full of great knowledge to have.

I expected a week of boring "safety training" and instead, got EXACTLY the opposite! Our Instructor was knowledgeable, funny and delivered the materials in a way each of us could relate to! By the time Friday came round, our group was more like a team (thanks to the Trainer) and I was kind of sad to see it end. Excellent job, I'll definitely be back!

Darren Branum

Darren serves as a licensed EMT and Lieutenant with Snoqualmie Pass Fire & Rescue. His diverse experience spans emergency response in higher education, transportation, and public safety, as well as instruction in Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training as an affiliate professor at the University of Washington.

Darren Branum brings over 30 years of hands-on experience in fire service, emergency medical response, hazardous materials, and emergency management. Darren combines deep operational expertise with a genuine passion for preparing
others to respond with confidence and clarity in high-stress situations.

Darren’s career began with a high school ride-along program that inspired him to earn his EMT certification. Today, he serves as a licensed EMT and Lieutenant with Snoqualmie Pass Fire & Rescue. His diverse experience spans emergency response in higher education, transportation, and public safety, as well as instruction in Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training as an affiliate professor at the University of Washington.

One of Darren’s most memorable experiences involved using training to bring calm and structure during a chaotic emergency scene. He emphasizes that strong training is what empowers responders to take decisive action—whether managing fire operations, hazmat incidents, or large-scale events requiring resource coordination and critical debriefing for first responders.

Darren is a National Emergency Management Executive Academy (NEMEA) graduate, an ICS and HSEEP-trained instructor, and a Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP). He has supported emergency operations and planning for major public events in Seattle, including Seafair and the Seahawks’ Super Bowl Homecoming Parade. In 2024, Darren was elected to the Board of Directors of the Emergency Management Group-Washington, recognizing his leadership and dedication to public safety excellence.