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Operations Section Chief Type 3

Position Description

Duties

  • Attend briefing from the Agency Administrator or outgoing Incident Commander.
  • Identify kind, type and number of resources required to achieve control objectives.
  • Collect information from outgoing Operations Section Chief, initial Incident Commander or other personnel responsible for incident.
  • Prepare for and participate in strategy meetings.
  • Evaluate and monitor current situation.
  • Observe and review current operations to prepare tactics for operational period planning meetings.
  • Evaluate urban interface needs.
  • Evaluate resource status and tactical needs to determine appropriate resource assignments.
  • Participate in preparation of IAP.
  • Lead operational period briefings.
  • Interact and coordinate with Command and General Staff.
  • Supervise operations organization.
  • Coordinate with replacement Operations Section Chief or others.
  • Evaluate overall effectiveness of IAP and adjust when necessary.
  • Use fire behavior prediction information to plan and organize tactical operations.
  • Update Incident Commander on current accomplishments and/or problems.
  • Report special events (incidents, accidents, political contacts, property loss or damage, etc.).
  • Ensure all personnel and equipment time records are complete and submitted in a timely manner.
  • Consider demobilization needs throughout the incident.
  • Assist in development and approval of Incident Demobilization Plan.
  • Implement Demobilization Plan.
  • Ensure that performance ratings are completed as required by the incident or agency policy.
  • Participate in Agency Administrator debriefing.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • ICS-400, Advanced ICS
  • Qualified DIVS or ICT3

 

Last Modified / Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Water Scooper Operations Unit

The NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating water scooping aircraft on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, and any local, state, or geographic/regional water scooping plans.

References:

NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Updated NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee

The Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee has updated the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505. PMS 505 establishes standards for aerial supervision operations for national interagency wildland fire operations. 

References:

NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505

New Job Aids Available: Packing Lists for Wildland Fire Fireline Personnel and Support Staff, J-101 and J-102

Date: December 3, 2024
Contact: NWCG TRAINING

Two new job aids are now available: Packing List for Wildland Fire Fireline Personnel, J-101 and Packing List for Wildland Fire Support Personnel, J-102, should serve as a baseline for items needed on a wildland fire assignment. These lists will help personnel prepare for a 14 to 21-day assignment on the fireline or in a support role.

References:

Job Aid Catalog

NWCG Packing List for Wildland Fire Fireline Personnel, J-101

NWCG Packing List for Wildland Fire Support Staff, J-102

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