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Medical Unit Leader

Position Description

Duties

  • Monitors and maintains supplies and personnel necessary to meet the complexity of the incident.
  • Maintains security for the medical unit.
  • Coordinates with the FACL to provide and maintain utilities, space, and facilities.
  • Arranges for appropriate medical ground transport (basic life support or advanced life support).
  • Arranges for appropriate air support.
  • Anticipates special needs (personnel, supplies, equipment).
  • Provides for biohazard handling and disposal procedures.
  • Establishes contact with local medical facilities. Uses contact information in developing the Medical Plan.
  • Establishes effective medical unit procedures for major medical emergency, non-emergency transport, and patient return from medical facility.
  • Obtains a briefing from supervisor, Logistics Section Chief or Safety Officer.
  • Provides for the safety and welfare of assigned personnel to the incident.
  • Establishes and maintains positive internal and external interpersonal working relationships.
  • Maintains unit log.
  • Participates at logistics planning meetings and/or safety meetings.
  • Determines requirements for medical supplies and personnel needs for unit and place order.
  • Organizes and provides supervision for unit.
  • Prepares Medical Emergency Plan (ICS206).
  • Prepares procedures for major medical emergency.
  • Coordinates actions with Compensation for Injury Specialist.
  • Audit use of “over-the-counter” drugs being dispensed by medical unit to discourage improper use or abuse.
  • Responds to aid requests in a timely and appropriate manner.
  • Evaluates unit’s ability to perform patient assessments and care.
  • Documents all actions taken using correct forms.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Background in medical services.
  • Current certification as an EMT.

 

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