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Firing Boss

Position Description

Duties

  • Completes a pre-firing reconnaissance of assignment.
    • Looks for firing operation problem areas.
    • Escape routes (primary and secondary).
    • Topography.
    • Fuels.
    • Weather.
    • Constructed and natural barriers.
    • Applies safety considerations involved in a firing operation.
  • Operates, maintains, and uses firing devices used in own local area such as fusees, drip torch, pneumatic torch, grenades, power flame thrower, matches, aerial applications, propane torch, flare gun, aerial drip torch. Operate at minimum the fusee and drip torch. Diagnose and repair malfunctions in a drip torch.
  • Uses backfire as an indirect attack method against a rapidly spreading wildland fire. Applies fire suppression firing methods and practices. Eliminates fuel in advance of the fire, change the direction of the fire, and/or slow the fire’s progress in conformance with firing plan. Calculates probabilities of achieving objectives of backfiring or failure to fire.
  • Augments holding forces in firing by portable pumps and engine hose lays, dozers, tractor/plow, hand crews, and fixed wing retardant and helitanker support. Applies appropriately for the firing operation and availability of resources. Knows tactics in using combinations of resources and applies them in accordance with agency policy and requirements.
  • Plans the protection of structures and improvements and evacuation of people located inside the area to be fired.
    • Minimizes property loss and provides for the safety of people located inside the area to be fired.
  • Identifies coordination process in firing.
    • Coordinates with immediate supervisor, adjacent forces, logistics, planning, Fire
      Behavior Analyst and Meteorologist.
  • Develops firing tactics to be applied.
    • Meets assignment requirements. Conforms to agency policy and guidelines for
      firing.
  • Deploys firing crew in accordance with personnel and equipment assignments.
  • Completes a firing operation within the time frames established by operations action plan and supervisor. Firing objectives are met. Firing was performed safely.
  • Attends plans meeting to obtain information and receive operational period plan.
  • Applies methodology to fire suppression in conjunction with established control lines and anchor points.
  • Recognizes and averts problems that might adversely affect a firing operation.
  • Determines number of personnel and type and amount of equipment needed in a firing operation.
  • Briefs firing team and makes personnel and equipment assignments.
  • Uses firing tactically and completes assignment.
  • Confirms demobilization instructions with supervisor and briefs subordinates.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • S-230, Crew Boss
  • S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior
  • Qualified as an FFT1

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