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RX Burn Boss Type 2

Position Description

Duties

  • The Prescribed Fire Burn Boss is responsible to the agency administrator/Prescribed Fire Manager and coordinates with the FMO on implementing the Prescribed Fire Plan.
  • Reviews prescribed Fire Plans prior to implementation and ensure that plan requirements are met.
  • Confirms pre-burn notifications are done.
  • Performs a reconnaissance of the site prior to implementation to validate burn plan elements, including areas of special concern and that holding/contingency plans adequately address the expected fire behavior outside of the unit.
  • Maintains communication with the FMO and/or Agency Administrator.
  • Obtains area/zone weather forecasts, spot weather, updates and advisories from a meteorologist.
  • Coordinates required/qualified personnel and equipment.
  • Ensures that the Agency Administrator Go/No-Go decision and checklist is still valid.
  • Coordinates with resource advisor and or land owners and permittees when burning on or adjacent to private lands.
  • Makes the go/no-go decision, complete and sign the implementation go/no-go checklist.
  • Conducts the personnel/safety briefing to ensure a safe operation.
  • Conducts the test burn.
  • Supervises assigned personnel.
  • Oversees the ignition, holding and monitoring operations.
  • Ensures that a log records all activities during each operational period.
  • Continuously monitor the prescribed fire to determine if it is not within prescription parameters or is not meeting project objectives.
  • Make the decision to declare the prescribed fire a wildfire and manage the incident or oversee the transition to another Incident Commander if an escape occurs.
  • Evaluate and document objective accomplishments, operational procedures, assigned personnel and costs.
  • Implement the contingency section until the prescribed fire is out.
  • Declare the prescribed fire out unless the project is formally passed to another burn boss, prescribed fire manager or the local fire management organization.
  • Ensure that reports are completed.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (S-390)
  • Satisfactory performance as an Ignition Specialist Type 2
    AND
  • Satisfactory performance as an Incident Commander Type 4
    AND
  • Satisfactory position performance as a Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 in representative fuel group(s)
  • Recommended training includes: Prescribed Fire Burn Boss (RX-300), Leadership and Organizational Development (S-381), Introduction to fire Effects (RX-310)
  • RX300 and RX341

 

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