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Strike Team Leader Military

Position Description

Duties

  • Ensures resources have all equipment and supplies required to meet tactical assignment.
    • Identifies what impacts modified suppression objectives will have on resource assignments.
    • Determines situations that might modify tactics.
    • Identifies effective use of assigned resources.
    • Identifies and assess values to be protected and assign resources.
  • Ensures transportation needs are met as specified in the IAP.
    • Coordinates any additional transportation needs through the Ground Support Unit.
    • Informs supervisor if transportation needs cannot be met.
    • Ensures assigned resources arrive at assignment location.
  • When at assigned work location, briefs and assigns tasks to resources based on IAP objectives, division/group assignments, and resource capabilities following Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG) format.
    • Briefs Single Resource Bosses using information from IAP.
      • IAP objectives and division/group control assignments.
      • Work standards, expectations, and Incumbent Code of Conduct.
      • Weather (in conjunction with IAP).
      • Communication (in conjunction with IAP).
      • Expected fire behavior.
      • Explains organization.
    • Applies the Risk Management Process utilizing IRPG checklists throughout each operational period.
    • Applies minimum impact suppression tactics
  • Coordinates activities with adjacent Strike Team/Task Force Leader(s) and single resources.
    • Contacts adjoining resources.
    • Makes list of supervisors of adjoining resources.
    • Informs adjoining resources of status.
    • Receives status of adjoining resources.
    • Determines communication channels with adjoining resources from IAP.
    • Maintains communication with assigned resources.
  • Monitors progress/work during operational period.
    • Receives reports from subordinate supervisors, based on your briefing and work expectations.
    • Conducts personal observations based on your work expectations.
    • Inspects and locates line in advance of line construction.
    • Assesses values to be protected.
  • Determines and provides for assistance or corrections to assigned work task(s) during operational period.
    • Identifies needs for corrections in work tasks to meet objectives and preserve safety.
    • Identifies fatigue producing factors and take corrective measures.
    • Contacts Division/Group Supervisor, etc., to review tactical effectiveness.
    • Identifies need for additional assistance, logistical support and replacements due to slow progress or unexpected events.
      • Identifies types of resources (air, equipment, hydraulics, etc.).
      • Takes action to correct.
    • Determines assistance, logistical support, and replacements required to implement correction action. Evaluates recommendations from subordinate supervisors; i.e., split assignment with another division.
    • Assigns qualified personnel to scout line in critical areas.
  • Uses tactics applied to structure protection.
    • Sizes up the situation and identify associated risks for current assignment utilizing the IRPG.
      • Identifies appropriate tactics for current resources.
      • Requests specialized resources if applicable.
    • Safely and effectively utilizes the resources available based on capabilities and limitations.
  • Completes operational period After Action Review (AAR) with single resource bosses.
  • Submits situation and resource status information to supervisor.
    • Informs supervisor of any change in conditions or events based on amended or adjusted work assignment or assigned resources.
    • Requests additional resources, logistical support, and/or replacements through supervisors based on IAP, briefings, and discussions.
    • Documents and reports hazards, special considerations or events in the Unit Log ICS 214 and to supervisor.
  • Fulfills administrative responsibilities.
    • Provides updated status and location of assigned resources to supervisor.
    • Establishes and confirms out-of-service time frame with supervisor.
    • Establishes contact or communication procedures for incident camp.
    • Submits completed Unit Log to Documentation Unit.
    • Submits personnel and equipment time to Time Unit.
    • Meets with Training Specialist as required.
  • Obtain briefing from supervisor.
  • Plan tactical action on assigned area based on objectives of IAP.
  • Brief relief resource on progress, reference points and hazards or special considerations.
  • Establish communication links.
  • Determine and obtain logistics needs for assigned personnel while in staging.
  • Brief supervisor and IARR on staging area arrangements and procedures.
  • Confirm demobilization instructions with supervisor and brief subordinates.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Qualified Strike Team Leader, Crew (STCR)

Physical Demands

  • Duties involve rigorous fieldwork requiring above average physical performance, endurance and superior conditioning. Work requires prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar strenuous activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity.
  • Duties include demands for strenuous activities in emergencies under adverse environmental conditions and over extended periods of time. Operation of some specialized fire equipment can place extended physical stress on incumbent during fire activities.

Work environment

The work is primarily performed in forest and range environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with vegetation, and in smoky conditions, etc. Temperatures vary from above 100 degrees F to below freezing. Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material. Personnel must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor sleeping and eating conditions and unpredictable sets of circumstances. Incumbent may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time. The hazardous nature of the work requires that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) be worn (boots, hardhat, gloves, flame resistant clothing, etc.) Work may require travel by light fixed wing or rotor wing aircraft.

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

ETC Bulletin 25-001: Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits - 2025 Field Season

Date: April 16, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

Due to spout failures and the associated risk of burn injuries, manufacturers have retrofitted the Hot/Cold Beverage Kits using a heat-shrinking band to secure the black spout at the insertion site. The updated kits feature a fluorescent label on each full kit assembly for easy identification. Catering units are encouraged to confirm the clear heat-shrinking bands are intact around each spout before filling.

ETC Bulletin 24-001 regarding Hot/Cold Beverage Kits has been archived and replaced by ETC Bulletin 25-001 for the 2025 season.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-25-001 Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and Next Generation Position Task Book for Basic Faller Are Now Available

Date: April 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-19 are now available.

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212 includes position standards designed to be used in conjunction with the Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB). The Next Gen PTB for Basic Faller (FAL3) includes an evaluation guide with suggested rating elements to consider when assessing trainees.

References:

NWCG Standards For Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-119

NWCG Basic Faller (FAL3)

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions

Date: April 9, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
RMC Member Eric Fransted

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) serves as the position steward for all Safety Officer incident positions and continues to improve position standards, training, and naming conventions. The implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) required changes to position titles. RMC collaborated with the NWCG Incident Position Standards Committee (IPSC) to propose and implement these updates. 

References:

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions 

NWCG Position Catalog

Updated, NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination, PMS 412

Date: April 8, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee

PMS 412 provides guidance for wildland fire investigations. This guide outlines recommended procedures, practices, techniques, and methods to promote a systematic approach. The last update to this publication was in 2016.

References:

NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination PMS 412