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Faller, Advanced

Position Description

Duties

  • Demonstrates proficiency in advanced maintenance and troubleshooting in the field.
    This may include but is not limited to:
    • Clutch replacement
      Fuel/spark/air
    • Starter assembly
    • Bar stud
    • Performance problem troubleshooting
    • Minor mechanical problem correction
  • Develops a work plan and presents a briefing to the appropriate personnel on cutting operation.
  • Demonstrates proper chain saw handling and cutting techniques to successfully accomplish felling a tree (greater than 24-inch dbh) to a predetermined lay.
    • Applies chain saw situational awareness (size-up).
    • Verbalizes the work plan.
    • Performs a stump analysis.
  • Demonstrates proper chain saw handling and cutting techniques to successfully accomplish felling a tree (greater than 24-inch dbh) 90 degrees off its plumbed lean.
    • Applies chain saw situational awareness (size-up).
    • Verbalizes the work plan.
    • Performs a stump analysis.
  • Demonstrates proper chain saw handling and cutting techniques to successfully accomplish felling a tree (greater than 24-inch dbh) employing the double-cut method.
    • Applies chain saw situational awareness (size-up).
    • Verbalizes the work plan.
    • Performs a stump analysis.
  • Demonstrates proper chain saw handling and various facing techniques to successfully accomplish felling a tree (greater than 24-inch dbh) considering lack of top weight and lean.
    • Applies chain saw situational awareness (size-up).
    • Verbalizes the work plan.
    • Performs a stump analysis.
  • Demonstrates proper chain saw handling and cutting techniques to successfully accomplish felling a heavy leaning tree (greater than 24-inch dbh) employing a side-boring, back cut technique.
    • Applies chain saw situational awareness (size-up).
    • Verbalizes the work plan.
    • Employs double-cutting method, if possible.
    • Performs a stump analysis.
  • Demonstrates proper chain saw handling and cutting techniques to successfully accomplish felling a fire-weakened tree (greater than 24-inch dbh).
    • Applies chain saw situational awareness (size-up).
    • Verbalizes the work plan.
    • Employs double-cutting method, if possible.
    • Performs a stump analysis.
    • Successfully mitigates a hang-up tree.
    • Applies chain saw situational awareness (size-up).
  • Verbalizes the work plan.
  • Utilizes alternative methods, if needed.
  • Avoidance (flagging, appropriate notification, etc.)
  • Fireline explosives
  • Heavy equipment

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Geographic Area chainsaw certification as Class C Faller.

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