Skip to main content

Planning Section Chief Type 2

Position Description

Duties

  • Collects and identifies current and potential problems/concerns, and processes situation information about the incident. Monitors incident status and develops alternative strategies.
  • Supervise preparation of the IAP. Obtains elements from other appropriate sections within established time frames, which includes but is not limited to Wildland Fire Situation Analysis, contingency plans, and operation period briefings.
  • Incorporates the incident traffic plan (from Ground Support) and other supporting plans into the IAP.
  • Establishes information requirements, supervises section and reporting schedules for Planning Section units.
  • Determines need for any specialized resources in support of the incident.
  • Assembles and disassemble strike teams and task forces not assigned to operations.
  • Establishes special information collection activities as necessary, e.g. weather, environmental, toxics, etc. Coordinates incident rehabilitation needs, e.g. Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation Team.
  • Provides periodic productions on incident potential. Identifies or reaffirms incident objectives, implements, describes and utilizes necessary agency policy, legal and fiscal constraints, and political considerations to be used in the planning meeting to review adequacy of strategic plans (WFSA and IAP).
  • Reports any significant changes in status information, providing accurate, adequate and current situation and resource status information with accurate maps.
  • Ensures that the Operations Section Chief identifies incident control lines, values to be protected, division boundaries, drop points; and prioritizes divisions in the event the choices must be made in allocating scarce resources, on maps visible to all attendees.
  • Coordinates with all sections to assure the plan as proposed can be implemented and supported by available resources and reconcile any differences.
  • Oversees preparation and implementation of the Incident Demobilization Plan.
  • Ensures all incident reports and narratives are completed, and debriefs Agency Administrator upon completion of demobilization.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Interpersonal skill to communicate, verbally and in writing with members of the planning section and other incident section chiefs.
  • S-420, Command and General Staff.
  • I-400, Advanced ICS.
  • S-440, Planning Section Chief.
  • Satisfactory performance as a SITL and RESL and PCT2 on a wildland fire incident.

 

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