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Cache Liaison

Position Description

Duties

When an incident is large enough to have multiple teams or there are multiple team assignments in any geographic area with multi-jurisdictional and multi-agencies involved, it may require the establishment of a Cache Liaison position assigned to the local servicing fire cache.  The Cache Liaison is the liaison between the Fire Cache Manager (FCMG) and the Logistics Section Chief (LSC), Supply Unit Leader (SPUL) and/or Receiving & Distribution Manager (RCDM).

  • Represents the Fire Cache and Fire Cache Manager.
  • Field contact person for Incident Management Team (IMT),  LSCs, SPULs, Area Command and National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) LSCs.
  • Maintains a list of incidents names with contact names and information.
  • Makes regular visits to each incident to establish personal contact with LSC and/or SPUL.  This involves spending quality time with those individuals and may include spending the night in camp.
  • Establish and maintain a good working relationship between the incident and the cache.
  • Informs individuals of how the servicing cache operates.
  • Keeps them up to date with availability of supplies and equipment.
  • Be up to date on different ordering procedures.
  • Individual is a troubleshooter and strives to resolve or assist incident personnel in resolving challenges and situations in the ordering and receiving of supplies and equipment.
  • Attends logistics/supply meetings.
  • Makes daily contact with the cache manager to keep him/her apprised of daily activities.
  • Is aware of new items in Cache.
  • Is aware of any kit changes.
  • Knows which items may be substituted for items that are out of stock.
  • Haz-mat and recycling awareness.
  • Interfaces with LSCs on Area Command & NIMO teams.
  • Participates on Fire Cache Managers conference calls, Area Command & NIMO Logistics conference calls.
  • Makes contact and establishes relationship with Expanded Dispatch.
  • Makes contact and establishes relationship with the Buying Team.

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters

Date: January 15, 2025
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters. Non-specification fire shelters claiming to meet Forest Service (FS) fire shelter specification 5100-606 were first found in February of 2023. As of September 2024, non-specification shelters are again being advertised and sold on the open market.

This Safety Warning outlines details and recommended procedures to purchase FS specification shelters made with materials and components that meet performance criteria and toxicity testing requirements outlined in FS Specification 5100-606. 

For additional information on identifying non-specification shelters, please view ETC Safety Warning 23-01.

References:

ETC Safety Warning 25-001: Non-specification fire shelters

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee

ETC Safety Warning 23-01

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Awards

Date: January 14, 2025
Contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee has awarded the 2023 Paul Gleason “Lead By Example” awards to individuals in the categories of Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, and Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Sam Bowen, Superintendent of the Mark Twain Veteran Crew with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Greg Titus, Zone Fire Management Officer for the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  • Renae Crippen, Manager of the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Eric Carlson, Instructor with OMNA International.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Interview with Paul Gleason

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