Recognition and References for Michael Karl McNeil
What Michael Karl McNeil can show for it: awards held in original, references published by initial, and the records anyone can check independently.
Awards and recognition
Certificate of Congressional Recognition — January 2024
U.S. House of Representatives, for work with a local unified school district. The citation reads “Heroic Diligence” and “Unwavering Dedication to the Safety of our Students and Community.”
Certificate of Appreciation, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps — 16 June 2008
Presented to “Fire Prevention Battalion Chief Mike McNeil” for “Years of Selfless, Dedicated Service and Sacrifice to the Safety of Others.”
USDA Forest Service Certificate of Merit
An above-and-beyond-the-call-of-duty award for hazardous materials site cleanup, hazard communication signage, safety data sheet information boards, right-to-know stations and training record review. The supporting justification letter from the Deputy District Ranger records that the work was outside the position description and additional to fire prevention duties.
USDA Forest Service Certificate of Merit — January 2006
Signed by the Forest Supervisor, for coordination of fire prevention programs and for updating the Forest’s hazardous materials training program.
Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition — 18 May 2001
U.S. House of Representatives, municipal volunteer recognition ceremony.
Originals of all of the above are held on file and provided on request.
Written references
References are published by initial. Contact details are released to a prospective employer or client on request, with the reference’s permission.
Provided on-the-ground services ensuring staff, crew and on-camera talent were tested consistently and to great efficacy. The network was pleased with zero cases on set. “Mike was integral to this process.”
S. P., entertainment group — COVID health consultant, network television production
“Professional, punctual and, more importantly, a genuine care for the athletes he has supervised.” Stepped in on very short notice when another professional did not show. “He is by far the best medic we have worked with.”
M. K., board member, youth football organization — 12 February 2022
Fire service references and recommendations, 1995–2002
Fifteen letters and certificates of appreciation written by fire chiefs, company officers, program directors and elected officials between 1995 and 2002. Originals are held on file. Writers are identified by rank and organisation type, with initials in place of names, and city and department names have been removed from the quoted passages. What follows is what they wrote.
Fire Captain, county fire department, 8 June 2002
“As a Certified Firefighter and Crew Leader, Mike has demonstrated exemplary leadership skills and is my go to person when dealing with the Volunteer Fire Company.”
“He takes on the role of Company Training Officer and steps in to facilitate weekly training meetings.”
“Mike continuously seeks out projects, making improvements to the fire station and Volunteer Fire Company operated emergency equipment.”
“Mike always shows respect to his superiors and peers and demonstrates sound decision making on emergency incidents.”
“Another important quality that Mike possesses is his concern for his own personal safety and that of his co-workers. Mike always exercises safe work practices around the fire station and on the fire ground.”
“Mike has nearly completed the requirements to become a Volunteer Fire Apparatus Engineer, qualified to drive and operate an ICS type I fire engine.”
Firefighter, city fire department, 13 February 2000
Written to a state natural resources agency in support of his application.
“I was able to observe Firefighter McNeil perform manipulative tasks; conduct daily station activities/training; and interact with his supervisors, peers, and the public.”
“Firefighter McNeil proved to be just as, if not more knowledgeable, than the paid full-time firefighters. He was very attentive, insightful, and eager to take initiative. He accomplished everything he was asked to do with enthusiasm and great attention to detail.”
“He was always very courteous to the public and showed extreme professionalism.”
“I take great pride in my reputation and thus feel confident in recommending Firefighter McNeil for whichever endeavors he pursues. I feel he has good leadership abilities and a positive attitude. I would work with Firefighter McNeil in any situation and hope that I have the opportunity to work with him again.”
Fire Engineer, city fire department, 2 February 2000
Written to the same state agency.
“Mike McNeil is a hardworking, intelligent young man.”
“Mike was always willing to assist in any work around the station regardless of the agency involved.”
“I am impressed by Mike’s level of maturity, knowledge, and experience for a twenty-six year old.”
“Your agency would be very fortunate to have Mike McNeil as an employee. I know that you would come to recognize Mike as a valuable asset to your organization.”
Fire Chief, city fire department, 18 December 1997
Written to a fire chief in another state.
“This letter is written as a recommendation for Michael Mc Neil who has worked as a volunteer … in fire prevention for the last 7 months.”
“He has been very helpful in doing research for inspections and fire plan checks during this time. He has also participated in inspections and tests of various fire prevention equipment.”
“I feel that he has been a great help to our department and would recommend him for these duties at this time.”
Two Fire Captains, city fire department, undated
Written to the president of the volunteer firefighter association, supporting his move from probationary to active member.
“This letter is to inform you that we strongly recommend Volunteer Firefighter Michael McNeil be accepted into the … Volunteer Firefighter Association as an active member.”
“He is one of our top responders in terms of number of calls and number of hours put in.”
“A CHP Sargent has commended him for his actions on a TC incident that he came upon on his way home from a class.”
“Michael has no past or current disciplinary actions pending.”
“He has been an asset to the station during his probation and we are confident that he will continue to do so as an active member.”
Director of Health and Safety, county chapter of the American Red Cross, 22 November 1999
“Michael is always professional and courteous. His course evaluations show that his students find him quite competent.”
“I recommend Michael for the Instructor Trainer Program. With his knowledge and expertise, he would definitely be an asset to the American Red Cross.”
Fire Captain and fire technology instructor, city fire department, 4 December 1999
Written to the National Fire Protection Association, sponsoring his fire prevention officer examination.
“I will proctor Mike McNeil for his exam for fire prevention officer.”
“It would be my pleasure to monitor Mike as he challenges your test.”
Office of the Mayor, city government, 6 May 2000
“On behalf of the City Council, City staff and residents … I would like to take this opportunity to extend our most sincere gratitude to you for your commitment and dedication.”
“Please accept our heartiest congratulations for your spirit of volunteerism.”
Two certificates of appreciation accompany it: 6 May 2000, for outstanding volunteer service, and 6 June 2002, for outstanding volunteer service in Station 6, the second signed by the Mayor, the Mayor Pro Tem and three Councilmembers.
Fire protection district, 26 June 1995
Selection as Reserve Fire Inspector.
“Thank you for attending the oral interview last Thursday for the position of Reserve Fire Inspector.”
“We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected to attend a two day orientation academy.”
Incident performance ratings
Three ratings written by the officers who supervised him on the fire line. Raters are identified by rank and unit, on the same basis as the letters above.
Incident Personnel Performance Rating, ICS-225, 7 June 2007
Rated by a federal fire Incident Commander Type 3, on a wildland incident where he served as Incident Commander Type 4. The form scores 0 deficient, 1 needs to improve, 2 satisfactory, and 3 superior, defined on its face as “employee consistently exceeds the performance requirements”.
He was marked 3, superior, on both hot line and mop-up for ability to obtain performance, attitude, decisions under stress, initiative, consideration for personnel welfare, obtaining necessary equipment and supplies, physical ability for the job, and safety. Knowledge of the job was marked 2, satisfactory. The remarks block was left blank.
Individual Performance Rating, ICS-226, signed 5 December 2003
Rated by an Incident Commander from a California Department of Forestry unit, covering a four day assignment on a complexity II incident where he worked as Dozer Boss and Line Scout. Scouting line for a future burning operation was rated exceeds successful; constructing line with assigned dozers, and directing equipment to construct line in the appropriate location for the burning operation, were both rated fully successful. The rater wrote:
“Mike was willing to take on the assignment of locating 2 CDF dozers, Redirecting them from their previous assignment. Scouting out and flagging a location for the new dozer line that better supported the firing operation. Mike then led the dozers through the placement of this line. The line placement was well thoughtout and completed quickly.”
Fire Assignment Evaluation, FC-121, State of California Department of Forestry, 3 July 2000
Completed by a Fire Captain, his immediate fire assignment supervisor, for a two day assignment in May 2000 on which he was dispatched as a single resource and assigned as Initial Attack Incident Commander. Performance in that role was marked average and attitude outstanding. The form records that the employee needed more experience, and that no problems were encountered on the assignment.
That last rating is published exactly as it reads. A record that shows only the good notices is not a record.
Background screening
A third-party background screening report was completed on 4 September 2026 by Verified First, a consumer reporting agency in Meridian, Idaho, on order of McNeil Safety Consulting. The full report is published here. The Social Security number and the date of birth are redacted; nothing else is withheld.
Background screening report, 4 September 2026 — PDF, 7 pages, redacted
An updated report is provided on request.
What can be checked independently
- Qualified SWPPP Developer registration — State Water Resources Control Board, through the SMARTS system
- Cal/OSHA Training Academy certificate pi4nar22mrje — publicly verifiable from the issuer
- StormwaterONE certificate 50df-5972-eb61-e6d4 — verifiable from the issuer, valid to 24 February 2028
- BLS and ACLS — QR-verifiable from the certifying body
- REP, RIH and EPP — registrant numbers and conferral dates are published on the credentials page
- Award originals, membership records and course certificates are provided on request
Common questions
What on this site can be verified independently?
The professional registrations, by their numbers, which are published on the credentials page. The awards and reference letters, through the organizations that issued them. And a third-party background screening report, published here in full apart from the identifiers that were redacted. The list above sets out each item and where it can be checked.
Who wrote the reference letters, and why are they shown by initial?
They came from fire service colleagues and from industry, written between 1995 and 2002 and later. They appear by the writer’s initials and the type of organization rather than by name, because the letters carry those people’s own contact details. Complete letters are provided on request.
Is there a background check on file?
Yes. A report from Verified First, a consumer reporting agency, completed in September 2026, is published on this page as a PDF. The masked social security number, the partial date of birth and the order number were removed from it before publication; everything else stands as the agency issued it. An updated report is provided on request.
