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Demobilization Unit Leader

DMOB Incident Position Description

The Demobilization Unit Leader (DMOB) assists the Command and General Staff (C&G) in ensuring the orderly, safe, and efficient movement of personnel and equipment from the incident. The DMOB may supervise one or more Status/Check-In Recorders (SCKN) and facilitate resource extensions, crew swaps, reassignments, and air travel based upon incident needs. The DMOB reports to the Planning Section Chief (PSC) and works in the Planning functional area.

Leadership Level 3, Leader of People (Develop Intent)

  • For additional information review Level 3 description, expected behaviors and knowledge, suggested development goals, and self-study opportunities.

Prepare and Mobilize

  • Ensure individual readiness.
  • Gather critical information pertinent to the assignment.
  • Travel to and check in at assignment.
  • Obtain access to current resource ordering system from hosting dispatch center.
  • Initiate contact with host dispatch center early regarding their standard operating procedures, points of contact, priority order for release of resources, and dispatch requirements for the demobilization plan.
  • Obtain a list of resources on scene and compile a list of resources ordered and their status.
  • Obtain briefing, objectives, and leader’s intent from the PSC.
  • Determine if demobilization check out will be managed electronically or by hard copy.

Build the Team

  • Assemble and validate readiness of assigned personnel and equipment.
  • Identify and anticipate Demobilization Unit staffing needs and request additional resources and/or replacements as needed.
  • Coordinate with PSC and other functional areas to obtain resources for workspace, etc.
  • Establish a common operating picture with various functional area supervisors using the demobilization plan as the baseline reference document.

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. Communicate changing conditions to PSC.
  • Ensure daily demobilization objectives and performance standards are met.
  • Monitor performance and provide immediate and regular feedback to assigned personnel.
  • Establish and maintain positive interpersonal and interagency working relationships.
  • Complete daily review of staffing requirements and ensure adequate personnel are ordered to meet the Demobilization Unit needs.
  • Develop schedule/assignments based on Incident Action Plan (IAP) or relevant plan.

Perform Demobilization Unit Leader-Specific Duties

  • Develop and disseminate the demobilization plan to C&G and host dispatch center.
  • Monitor demobilization process and progress for incident personnel.
  • Document estimated time of departure (ETD) and estimated time of arrival (ETA) for all departing resources and submit to host dispatch center.
  • Coordinate and implement the demobilization plan.
  • Coordinate with Supply Unit/or expanded dispatch on status of outstanding resource orders. 
  • Coordinate with C&G to verify status and pending release of current resources.
  • Coordinate with C&G and expanded dispatch regarding availability of resources for re-assignment.
  • Coordinate with Resources Unit Leader (RESL) to provide access to resource status system and other information.
  • Ensure incident resource qualifications match incident resource assignments.
  • Monitor incident resource status (e.g., number of days worked in succession, R&R requirements, contract limitations).
  • Provide inputs for the IAP.
  • Coordinate with the SCKNs to ensure resource status system database is current.
  • Facilitate resource assignment extensions, crew swaps, and reassignments.
  • Facilitate air travel requests for incident resources. Protect and preserve all personally identifiable information (PII).
  • Brief replacement as needed.

Communicate and Coordinate

  • Develop and maintain communication with expanded dispatch personnel.
  • Brief and keep subordinates informed and updated.
  • Attend incident operational briefings and meetings as directed.
  • Participate in functional area briefings as directed.
  • Compile unit documentation for preplanning/strategy meetings.
  • Attend planning and strategy meetings as directed.
  • Respond to requests for information about resources.
  • Ensure relevant information is exchanged during briefings.
  • Conduct and/or participate in After Action Reviews (AAR).

Manage Risk

  • Ensure established guidelines are followed for work/rest, personal protective equipment (PPE), and communication within the Demobilization Unit.
  • Monitor for signs and symptoms of fatigue, illness, or injury. Mitigate appropriately.
  • Account for location, health, safety, and welfare of assigned personnel.
  • Ensure compliance with all safety practices and procedures for yourself and all personnel within the Demobilization Unit.

Document

  • Prepare and submit completed original documents as appropriate for each operational period.
  • Compile unit documentation for the final incident package and provide to the Documentation Unit Leader (DOCL).
  • Complete, authorize, ensure timeliness of, and route as required:

Demobilize

  • Prepare input to final narrative and transition plan as requested.
  • Coordinate an efficient transfer of the position duties and complete the transition document or the closeout report at the end of the assignment, including any unresolved items.
  • Brief assigned resources on demobilization procedures and responsibilities.
  • Coordinate demobilization for incident resources:
    • Anticipate demobilization of resources.
    • Provide resource glide path, length of assignment, and last workday information to C&G for demobilization planning.
    • Prepare and post demobilization schedule.
    • Ensure incident and agency demobilization procedures are followed.
  • Complete the demobilization checkout process before being released from the incident.
  • Upon demobilization, report your status to your home unit and incident supervisor, including estimated time of arrival (ETA) to final destination.

 

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2024 Week of Remembrance

Date: June 27, 2024
Contact: 6 Minutes for Safety Subcommittee 

As we approach the 2024 Week of Remembrance (WOR), June 30 to July 6, we dedicate this time to thoughtfully reviewing and recognizing the events of the 2018 Mendocino Complex. As such, this year’s theme of “Learning From the Mendocino Complex” embodies a longstanding hallmark of WOR, honoring through learning.

Throughout the week, our energy will be directed toward fostering generative conversations in briefing rooms and at tailgates.

References:

6 Minutes for Safety - 2024 Week of Remembrance

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

Updated NWCG Wildland Fire Risk and Complexity Assessment, PMS 236

Date: June 24, 2024
Contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee 

The June 2024 update of the NWCG Wildland Fire Risk and Complexity Assessment, PMS 236, is now available to meet the current needs for incident management typing.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Risk and Complexity Assessment should be used to evaluate firefighter safety issues, assess risk, and identify the appropriate incident management organization based on incident complexity. Assessing risk, determining incident complexity, and identifying an appropriate incident management organization is a subjective process based on examining a combination of indicators or factors, which can change over time.

References:

NWCG Wildland Fire Risk and Complexity Assessment, PMS 236

Operations Branch Director (OPBD) Next Gen PTB Available

Date: June 10, 2024
Contact: NWCG Feedback 

The NWCG Position Task Book for Operations Branch Director (OPBD), PMS 311-109 is now available for use within the OPBD position qualification pathway. As part of the transition to Complex Incident Management (CIM), the OPBD Next Gen PTB was developed and the position qualification pathway updated.

More information about the Next Gen PTB format can be found on the NWCG Position Task Book webpage.

References:

Operations Branch Director Position Page

Operations Branch Director Next Gen PTB

NWCG Position Task Books

Updated NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902

Date: June 5, 2024
Contact: NWCG Incident Business Committee 

The 2024 revision of the NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902 is now available. The uniform application of interagency incident business management standards is critical to interagency fire operations. PMS 902 assists NWCG agencies in constructively working together to provide effective execution of each agency's incident business management program.

References:

PMS 902