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Ground Support Unit Leader

Position Description

Duties

  • Establishes safe and efficient layout of the unit to include fueling area, parking area, maintenance area, loading and unloading area for personnel and heavy equipment, ensures adequate space for expansion, and provides for shelter from elements.
  • Manages hazardous materials by ensuring environmental requirements for handling fuel are met, ensures proper shipping and handling of hazardous materials, ensures proper storage and disposal of petroleum products, and strives to keep special use petroleum products to a minimum.
  • Provides clear and concise communication to operators/contractors prior to each assignment regarding kind and duration of assignment, travel routes, communication procedures, and safety requirements.
  • Ensures that all regulations regarding driver/operator limitations are adhered to.
  • Collects and records information on rental, contract and agency equipment.
  • Obtains a briefing from supervisor, Logistics Section Chief.
  • Provides for the safety and welfare of assigned personnel to the incident.
  • Establishes and maintains positive internal and external interpersonal working relationships.
  • Maintains unit log.
  • Participates at logistics planning meetings.
  • Determines needs for unit and place the order.
  • Organizes and supervises unit.
  • Maintains an inventory of support and transportation vehicles (ICS 218).
  • Arranges for ground transportation of resources and supplies.
  • Conducts incident road system survey to determine traffic management and maintenance requirements.
  • Marks and corrects road system safety hazards and maintain incident roads.
  • Places signs for drop points, water sources, road junctions, etc.
  • Determines acceptable vehicle type and size class based on road standards and conditions.
  • Coordinates with PSC and FSC on the mobilization and demobilization of resources.
  • Provides for fuel, service, maintenance, and repairs for vehicles and other equipment.
  • Ensures driver requirements are met.
  • Completes pre and post use inspection of all equipment.
  • Prepares and implements a transportation plan.
  • Completes paperwork (shift tickets, time reports, fuels tickets, work orders, etc.) in a timely manner.
  • Demobilizes all incident equipment and unit personnel.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Good understanding of capabilities and limitations of different types of vehicles and equipment no different terrain.
  • Understanding of road maintenance.
  • Basic mechanical understanding of most types of vehicles and heavy equipment.
  • Qualified as Equipment Manager.
Last Modified/Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1 and NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1

Date: July 17, 2024
Contact: Training Delivery Committee 

The Training Delivery Committee (TDC) has updated the NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1 to reflect changes in the standards for course management and delivery. These changes have been reviewed and approved by the members of TDC over the past year. Significant updates include additional delivery methods, updated definitions, and instructions for the use of digital signatures on training certificates. The NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1 has been updated to lock after an electronic signature has been applied.

References:

NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1

NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1

IBC Memo 24-01: OF 297 Signature Order and 2024 Fire Season Use IBC Memo 24-02: Summary of Changes for SIIBM, PMS 902

Date: July 15, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee 

The NWCG Incident Business Committee (IBC) has recently released two memorandums. The first provides direction on the use of the Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 for the 2024 fire season. Due to delays in hard copy printing, both the 2024 revision and the older version of the Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 are acceptable for use during the 2024 fire season.

The second memorandum documents the updates of the newly revised NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management (SIIBM), PMS 902. The summary of changes attached to the memo covers the major updates and process changes from the 2022 version.

References:

IBC Memorandum 24-01: OF 297 Signature Order and 2024 Fire Season Use

IBC Memorandum 24-02: Summary of Changes for the NWCG Standards of Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902

IBC Memorandum 24-02 Attachment: Summary of Changes

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

Date: July 10, 2024
Contact: Incident Medical Unit Subcommittee 

A new publication from the Incident Medical Unit Subcommittee is now available. The NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552 will be used as a guide and as an opportunity to begin to build out Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) modules for the remainder of Fire Year 2024. These standards will be fully implemented as the minimum standard starting in January 2025.

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support outlines the roles, duties, qualifications, and equipment pertinent to REMS. A REMS team, strategically stationed at wildland fires, plays a pivotal role in prioritizing swift access and medical treatment to injured or ill firefighters for safe and efficient egress off the fireline. This ensures their rapid transport to definitive medical care in cases of emergency during firefighting operations, highlighting the invaluable contribution of the REMS team to firefighter safety and well-being.

References:

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

National Wildland Firefighter Day

Date: July 2, 2024
Contact: National Interagency Fire Center 

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) would like to recognize July 2, 2024, as National Wildland Firefighter Day (NWFFD). Established in 2022, NWFFD honors the dedication of wildland firefighters and support personnel. This day falls within the 2024 Week of Remembrance (June 30 - July 6), providing an opportunity to renew our commitment to wildland firefighter safety while remembering those who have fallen in the line of duty.

NWCG continues to provide leadership to enable interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners. NWCG standards and training establish common practices to contribute to safe, effective, and coordinated national interagency wildland fire operations.

References:

NWCG.gov

Week of Remembrance

National Wildland Firefighter Day