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Demobilization Unit Leader

Position Description

Duties

  • Develops the Demobilization Plan.
  • Implements, supervises, monitors and coordinates the demobilization process.
  • Facilitates emergency demobilization when necessitated by emergency situation.
  • Ensures agency policies regarding demobilization are followed.
  • Responsible for all safety related issues related to demobilization policies.
  • Ensures that the demobilization of suppression resources is completed in an economically conservative fashion. Involves matching of resources to home units. Involves knowledge of large air transport capabilities, location of appropriate jet ports and flight logistics.
  • Gathers and reviews resource records and information to determine the like size and extent of the demobilization efforts.
  • Obtains objectives, priorities, schedules, ongoing resources needs, and constraints for the demobilization plan, this information is gathered from the Section Chiefs, Unit leaders of each section and agency representatives of incident agency and dispatch.
  • Develops list of identified surplus resources and probable release times, travel methods, and maintains contact with agency dispatch on release schedule.
  • Develops incident check-out function for all units, evaluates logistics and transportation capabilities to support demobilization. Processes emergency release requests.
  • Prepare appropriate directories (e.g. maps, instructions, etc.) for inclusion in the demobilization plan. Ensures the ICS Form 221 is prepared for each resource prior to major demobilization.
  • Obtains review and approval of the demobilization plan, provides copies to section chiefs, agency dispatch and IC, who provides final approval upon review. Ensures all Sections/Units understand their specific demobilization responsibilities.
  • Distributes demobilization plan on and off-site to: command and general staff, appropriate unit leaders, agency representatives, check-out locations, incident agency dispatch and others who assist in the implementation plan, and posts plan in prominent locations.
  • Implements, supervises and monitors demobilization process. This involves maintaining contact with all who are responsible for implementing the demobilization plan, ensures released resources meet standards established in the demobilization plan, i.e., rest and feeding requirements, adjusts priorities and work assignments to meet schedules and management objectives, requests verification of transportation to home base, reassignment availability and other qualifications and coordinates surplus personnel and resource assignment needs with Resource Unit Leader.
  • Maintains close coordination with agency dispatch during plan implementation. This involves establishing notification procedures and time frames, verify transportation arrangements, and update/change release schedule.
  • Demobilizes resources and finalizes incident demobilization by coordinating with the agency demobilization organization to ensure all excess resources are demobilized and all issues are resolved, and advises the Planning Section Chief.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Knowledge of supervisory principles and incident practices to effectively and efficiently supervise and coordinate with other incident team sections.
  • Interpersonal skills to communicate, verbally and in writing with members of the Planning Section and other Incident Section Chiefs.
  • S-347, Demobilization Unit Leader
  • Satisfactory performance as a Resource Unit Leader and position performance as a demobilization Unit leader on a wildland fire assignment.
  • To maintain currency incumbent must have either the Resource Unit Leader or Support Dispatcher fire assignments.

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