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Incident Commander Type 4

Position Description

Introduction

The Incident Commander’s responsibility is the overall management of the incident. On most incidents the command activity is carried out by a single Incident Commander. The Incident Commander is selected by qualifications and experience.

Duties

  • Provides for the safety, welfare, and accountability of assigned personnel during the entire period of command.
  • Initiates and maintain ICS Form 201.
  • Gathers initial data, observe and record information.
  • Sizes up fire situation.
  • Follows the Standard Fire Orders, Watch Out Situations, and Urban Interface Watch Out Situations.
  • Establishes command, notify dispatch, and advise all incident resources upon arrival.
  • Develops an Incident Action Plan. (Incident objective(s), Strategy(ies), Tactics, Resource assignments, Safety information covering all hazards and all relevant safety principles).
  • Determines the general area of origin.
  • Briefs and keeps subordinates informed.
  • Directs and coordinates the initial attack resources.
  • Communicates using concise messages with clear-text.
  • Monitors the weather and other environmental factors to anticipate changes in fire behavior.
  • Evaluates progress.
  • Recognizes when the incident expands beyond initial response capabilities. Determines if incident complexity exceeds Incident Commander’s (IC) skill level.
  • Adjusts tactics to meet changing conditions.
  • Keeps supervisor, designated officer or dispatch informed of progress, current and anticipated problems, and needs.
  • Takes necessary precautions to ensure the values to be protected and control lines are secured.
  • Determines when the fire is out or safe to abandon when incident objectives are met.
  • Maintains adequate records as to events, use of personnel, equipment and supplies, and other data for fire management needs.
  • Briefs and submits complete documentation to supervisor, designated officer or dispatch at end of suppression action.
  • Prepares and discusses performance evaluations with subordinates.
  • Participates in post-incident review with supervisor, designated officer or dispatch.
  • Briefs and provides complete and accurate records to relief when appropriate.
  • Establishes immediate priorities.
  • Ensures that strategy approved by the agency administrator is considered and implemented if possible. If not, initiates contact with agency administrator to provide an update on the situation and receive concurrence on new strategy.
  • Develops and implement tactics for containment of the fire based upon agency administrator’s briefing, available resources, weather forecasts, and information gathered during size-up.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Fire Operations in Urban Interface (S-215)
  • Satisfactory position performance as a Single Resource Boss (Crew, Dozer, Engine, Tractor/Plow) and
  • Satisfactory performance as an Incident Commander Type 4 on a wildland fire incident
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