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Heavy Equipment Technical Specialist

Position Description

The Heavy Equipment Technical Specialist is responsible for providing heavy/logging equipment technical assistance to Incident Management Teams (IMT) and Agency Administrators.  The Heavy Equipment Technical Specialist will report to the Operations Section.

Duties:

  • Provides expert knowledge (equipment capability, cost, and site affects) of heavy equipment use in various fuel types, soil types, and slopes.
  • Reviews incident needs and discusses any special procedures or potential problems with the Unit Leaders.
  • Provides assistance and guidance to Operations, Plans, and Logistics by applying a high skill level to matters pertaining to the use and transport of heavy equipment.
  • Interprets minimum standards and assists in resolving issues pertaining to equipment standards and the safe operation of this equipment.
  • Coordinates and assists the Operations, Safety, and Logistics personnel with the operational requirements of the equipment, as well as the most efficient use of the equipment.
  • Works with the Incident Contract Project Inspector to assist in resolving issues within the scope of the agreement.
  • Briefs Operations, Safety, and Logistics personnel on current and potential problems and provides recommendations in order to alleviate issues.
  • Acts as a liaison officer between local forest industry resources, Agency Administrator(s), and the Incident Commander.

Requirements

  • Successful completion of a light work capacity test and RT-130, Fireline Safety Refresher (if assigned to incident camps and/or fireline)
  • If this position is not assigned to an incident camp, then no fitness or RT-130 requirements.
  • Individuals meeting the qualifications of the Heavy Equipment Technical Specialist position normally have a minimum of 10 years of work experience regarding safe and efficient use of heavy equipment.

Personnel that are currently employed in the local wood products industry and foresters are a good source for personnel that may meet these requirements.

 

 

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

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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