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Burned Area Emergency Response Team Leader

Position Description

The purpose of the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessment is to quickly assess the additional risks to people and resources triggered by a fire to determine if emergency preventative or mitigative measures are needed.  The BAER Assessment Team Leader has overall responsibility for the collection, assessment, dissemination and use of information about the post-fire emergency situation and treatment alternatives.  The BAER Assessment Team Leader works directly for the Agency Administrator and supervises an interdisciplinary assessment team consisting of 3 to 30+ people, depending on complexity of the situation.

Duties

  • Obtains briefing from agency administrator.
  • Determines strategy for conducting the assessment and establish action priorities.
  • Develops an Incident Action Plan which includes job hazard analyzes and safety plan, organization, equipment needs, communications, and plans for demobilization.
  • Establishes appropriate organization to efficiently and effectively conduct BAER assessment.
  • Obtains personnel and support resources (work space, vehicles, communication equipment, computer hardware, food & lodging for incumbents, maps, imagery (BARC map) etc).
  • Conducts daily planning meetings.
  • Maintains open communication with agency administrator and fire suppression IC organization.
  • Leads assessment team in identifying BAER critical values, evaluating risk and developing potential treatment measures.
  • Briefs agency administrator on recommended treatment measures and secure approval.
  • Prepares and submits an acceptable Emergency Stabilization Plan and Burned Area Report within seven-day timeframe.  This includes description of emergency situation(s), prescribed treatment measures and specifications, and proposed effectiveness monitoring plan.
  • Keeps an accurate accounting of all costs associated with burned area survey.
  • Provides detailed records of burned area survey to those responsible for implementing proposed treatments.
  • Coordinates with adjacent landowners and other agency officials regarding post-fire emergency response.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Interpersonal skills to communicate verbally and in writing with local and state officials.
  • Knowledge of emergency stabilization program policy and objectives, completion of FS of Interagency BAER team leader course and/or prior experience as a BAER assessment team leader.
  • When fire is uncontained – work capacity fitness level of light, annual fire line safety refresher, S-190, S-130, communications and radio training.
  • IS-700 NIMS:  An Introduction.
  • IS-800 National Response Plan.

Last Modified / Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Date: November 14, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention. Misaligned toolless fuel caps on Stihl chainsaws have led to recurring fuel spillage, fuel ignition, and burn injuries during wildland fire management operations.

This Safety Warning is intended to highlight the details and recommended procedures for the installation of a Stihl chainsaw toolless fuel cap, as well as how to identify and correct a misaligned, damaged, or broken fuel cap to help prevent fuel spillage.

References:

NWCG Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Advertencia de equipos 24-001: Prevención de derrames de la tapa de combustible sin herramientas de la motosierra Stihl

NWCG Alerts

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51 and NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for EQTR, includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Equipment Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51

NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53 and NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for PTRC, includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Personnel Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53

NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53

NWCG Risk Management Committee Releases Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

Date: November 7, 2024
Contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has released Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires. As wildland fire respirators are available through several established vendors, wildland fire personnel need to understand regulations and limitations of respirator use in the workplace.

Safety Bulletin 24-001 outlines the following topics regarding respirator use for wildland fires:

  • Requirements for Respirator Use
  • Voluntary Respirator Use
  • Current Respirator Options
  • Unknown Risks of Respirator Use

This bulletin also provides mitigation recommendations to help reduce smoke exposure for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

NWCG Smoke Management Guide for Prescribed Fire, PMS 420-3

VIDEO: Protecting Wildfire Personnel from Smoke - How Incident Management Teams Address Smokes Risks

VIDEO: Smoke, Knowing the Risks