Crew Representative

CREP Incident Position Description

The Crew Representative (CREP) is responsible for providing support to crews that are sent from one geographic area to another. The CREP represents the crew’s home agency and reports back to that agency. The CREP works in the Operations functional area.

Prepare and Mobilize

• Ensure individual readiness.
• Gather critical information pertinent to the assignment.
• Travel to and check in at assignment.
• Check in with incident supervisor and/or dispatch when arriving at the incident.
• Review Incident Action Plan (IAP) and obtain briefing, objectives, and intent from supervisor.
• Inform dispatch of resource status and departure times.

Build The Team

• Consult with assigned Crew Boss(es) (CRWB) to validate readiness of assigned personnel and equipment.
• Establish and communicate chain of command, reporting procedures, risk management processes, and radio frequency management.
• Establish a common operating picture with CRWBs and subordinates.
• Participate in operational briefings as directed.
• Brief assigned personnel.
• Identify assigned resources and maintain accountability.

Supervise and Direct Work Assignments

• Establish and communicate objectives, priorities, work assignments, and performance expectations.
• Identify, analyze, and use relevant situational information to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions.
• Adjust actions based on changing information and evolving situation awareness.
• Develop and implement contingency plans. Communicate changing conditions to assigned resources.
• Ensure incident objectives and performance standards are met.
• Monitor performance and provide immediate and regular feedback to assigned resources.

Perform Crew Representative-Specific Duties

• Obtain crew contract information and manifests.
• Brief assigned CRWB on route and mode of travel, communications protocols, travel procedures, and agency procedures.
• Request additional CREPs if assigned crews are separated by location or operational period and their CREP needs cannot be met.
• Serve as liaison or advisor between crew(s), home agency, and fireline supervisor.
• Adhere to appropriate crew management guides.
• Report to Interagency Resource Representative (IARR) or home agency with status of assigned resources.
• Inform Planning and Operations sections of crew capabilities at time of check-in.
• Represent agency in absence of IARR to make agency-specific decisions.
• Ensure established guidelines are followed by all assigned crews, including work/rest and agency safety standards and procedures.
• Advise CRWB on how to obtain logistical support and/or make necessary arrangements for logistical support.
• Facilitate special transportation needs.
• According to agency policy and type of crew, perform the duties and responsibilities of CRWB as needed.
• Resolve issues identified by assigned resources and/or incident command.
• In absence of IARR, contact home agency within 12 hours after arriving at incident and inform of situation, status, and location.
• Evaluate crews and CRWB performance and safety practices during tactical operations.
• Confirm demobilization instructions and notify IARR.
• Contact home agency with status of travel schedule.
• Report crew’s performance to home unit dispatch.

Communicate and Coordinate

• Follow established processes and chain of command for collecting, producing, and distributing information. 
• Ensure clear understanding of expectations and timely communication within and across Incident Command System (ICS) functional areas and chain of command.
• Establish communications and exchange necessary briefings/information with the following:
  • Support resources
  • Adjacent resources
  • Supervisor
  • Other ICS functional areas
• Communicate effectively using multichannel radios. Prepare and program radios for assignment. Use plain language and ICS terminology.
• Coordinate completion of accident and injury forms and other claims.
• Conduct and/or participate in After Action Reviews (AAR).

Manage Risk

• Apply the Risk Management Process as stated in the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461:
  • Identify Hazards
  • Assess Hazards
  • Develop Controls and Make Risk Decisions
  • Implement Controls
  • Supervise and Evaluate
• Ensure Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones (LCES) are established and known to all firefighters before they are needed. Refer to guidelines stated in IRPG.
• Use Look Up, Down and Around in IRPG to help maintain situational awareness. Adjust actions accordingly. Develop and communicate contingency plans and trigger points.
• Plan for medical emergencies. Ensure that assigned resources are prepared to execute the Medical Plan (ICS 206 WF). Ensure familiarity with medical responders, communication procedures, and transportation plan. Manage the medical emergency based on procedures stated in the IAP, the Medical Incident Report, or other relevant guidelines.
• Monitor for signs and symptoms of fatigue, illness, or injury. Mitigate appropriately.
• Account for location, health, safety, and welfare of assigned personnel.
• Submit accident/incident reports with pertinent forms (SAFECOM, SAFENET, agency-specific forms) through established chain of command.

Document

• Complete, authorize, ensure timeliness of, and route as required:
  • Crew Time Report (CTR), SF-261 (Watch: How to correctly fill out a CTR).
  • Incident Personnel Performance Rating (ICS 225 WF).
  • General Message (ICS 213).
  • Activity Log (ICS 214).
  • SAFECOM.
  • SAFENET.
  • Agency-specific forms.
• Ensure copy of Crew Performance Rating (ICS 224 WF), CTR, and other relevant documentation is given to CRWBs upon completion of assignment.
• Ensure CRWB completes Incident Personnel Performance Ratings (ICS 225 WF) and Activity Log (ICS 214) and submits to Documentation Unit.

Demobilize

• Ensure all paperwork and documentation is complete before disassembly of crews.
• Coordinate with home unit dispatch prior to disassembly of crew(s).
• Plan for demobilization. Brief IARR and assigned resources on demobilization procedures and responsibilities. Ensure incident and agency demobilization procedures and work/rest driving standards are followed.
• Return equipment and supplies to appropriate unit. 
• Complete demobilization checkout process before being released from the incident.
• Upon demobilization, report status to home unit including reassignment or estimated time of arrival (ETA) to home unit.
• During transfer of command:
  • Ensure continuity of operations.
  • Exchange critical safety information.
  • Communicate transfer of authority through established chain of command.