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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

WFSTAR 2025 Core Component Module Package and 2024 Fire Year in Review Now Available

Date: March 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Joe Schindel at mschindel@blm.gov
 

The 2025 Core Component Module Package for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) and the 2024 Fire Year in Review are now available on the NWCG website. The 2025 Core Component Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

References:

2025 Core Component Module Package

2024 Fire Year in Review Module

NEW! NWCG Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Field Guide, PMS 053

Date: March 12, 2025
Contact: Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Committee

The NWCG Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Field Guide, PMS 053 provides mitigation practitioners at all experience levels with recommendations on the most effective and efficient ways to accomplish mitigation work in communities at risk to wildfire damage or destruction. The content in this guide was written in coordination with the NWCG Standards for Mitigation in the Wildland Urban Interface, PMS 052.

References:

NWCG Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Field Guide, PMS 053 

Updated, NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

Date: March 11, 2025
Contact: Fire Use Subcommittee
Wildland Fire Module Unit

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430 standardizes procedures and expectations for Wildland Fire Modules (WFMs). These standards are to be used by staff, supervisors, specialists, and technicians for planning, administering, and conducting WFM operations. These standards will also be used as a measure of WFM qualifications, capabilities, and expected performance, for both Type 1 and Type 2 WFMs.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

NEW! NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514

Date: March 7, 2025
Contact: National Interagency Aviation Committee

The NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating airtankers on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations (SABO), PMS 508, and any applicable agency plans.

References:

NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514