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Expanded Dispatch Supervisory Dispatcher

Position Description

Duties

  • Provides leadership and coordination in developing and implementing the expanded dispatch operation. Plans work objectives on a daily or project basis and makes adjustments to meet priorities. Adjusts shift lengths, staffing levels and work assignments based on changes to workload.
  • Works closely with Incident Management Team (IMT) establishing ordering positions/processes/demobilization.
  • Monitors workload of expanded organization making adjustments as needed.
  • Establishes work schedules of expanded organization.
  • Coordinates with local agency dispatch to maximize opportunities for training assignments.
  • Ensures adequate facilities are available for expanded organization.
  • Provides guidance and supervision to all functional areas in expanded organization.
    • Recognizes priorities and directs the processing of resource orders.
    • Identifies and evaluates stressful situations or problem areas and makes adjustments to correct the situation.
    • Ensures compliance with established dispatch protocols.
    • Provides training for subordinates as necessary.
    • Schedules and conducts briefings with Support Dispatchers and Supervisory Dispatcher to ensure complete information exchange.
    • Ensures coordination between functional areas within the expanded dispatch organization.
    • Reviews and signs time keeping documents.
  • Ensures compliance with established protocols.
  • Recognizes and directs priority of processing resource orders.
  • Initiates off-site emergency procedures according to emergency plans/guides (search and rescue, hazardous materials, overdue aircraft, medevac, etc.).
  • Establish relationships and exchange of information between expanded organization and other support organizations, Geographic Area Coordination Center (GACC).
  • Directs the processing of intelligence information (ICS 209).
  • Ensures reference guides/materials are available for section.
  • Coordinates demobilization of resources with IMT.
  • Provides for the disposition of all incident records/files.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Interagency Aviation Management and Safety.
  • Satisfactory performance as a support dispatcher in at least four function areas (aircraft, crews, overhead, equipment, supplies, or intelligence).
  • Satisfactory position performance as an EDSP.

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