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Facilities Unit Leader*

FACL decorative banner: photos depicting FACL position. FACL Description: The Facilities Unit Leader (FACL) is responsible for laying out and operating incident facilities (Base,Camp(s), and ICP) and managing Base and Camp(s) operations. Each Base and Camp may be assigned a manager.

The Facilities Unit Leader (FACL) is responsible for organizing and supervising the Facilities Unit. The FACL establishes Incident Command Post (ICP), spike camps, incident facilities, and incident base facilities. The FACL may supervise Base Camp Managers (BCMG), contractors, and Camp Crews. The FACL reports to the Logistics Section Chief (LSC) or the Logistics Support Branch Director (SUBD) and works in the Logistics functional area.

USWDS Paragraphs

Logistics Section Chief (LSC3) Service Branch Director (SVBD) Communications Unit Leader (COML) Incident Communications Technician (COMT) Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM) Medical Unit Leader (MEDL) Food Unit Leader (FDUL) Support Branch Director (SUBD) Supply Unit Leader (SPUL) Ordering Manager (ORDM) Receiving/Distribution Manager (RCDM) Facilities Unit Leader (FACL) Base Camp Manager (BCMG) Ground Support Unit Leader (GSUL) Equipment Manager (EQPM) Security Manager (SECM) Radio Operator (RADO) Logistics Section Chief (LSC2) Logistics Section Chief (LSC1) Logistics Section Chief (LSCC)

The Forest Service and Department of Interior are enabled by Administratively Determined Pay Plans (AD Pay Plans) to hire persons for temporary duration for the following reasons:

  1. To cope with a sudden and unexpected emergency caused by a fire, or extreme fire potential, flood, storm, or any other all-hazard emergency that threatens damage to federally protected property, has the potential to cause loss of life, serious injury, public health risk, or damage to natural or cultural resources unless brought under immediate control.
  2. To provide emergency assistance to States under formalized agreements.
  3. To meet mission assignments issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Incident Business Committee (IBC) reviews positions annually and establishes pay rate classifications for each position.

For more information on the AD Pay Plans, visit Incident Business Committee.

Date: Jan 2024

Updated Positions Qualification Requirements as follows:

Deleted from "These Positions Maintain Currency For FACL":

  • Service Branch Director (SVBD)
  • Support Branch Director (SUBD)

Deleted from "FACL Maintains Currency For These Positions":

  • Support Branch Director (SUBD)
Date: Jan 2023

Added: 

  • Logistics Section Chief Complex (LSCC) to "These Positions Maintain Currency For FACL."
  • Logistics Section Chief Complex (LSCC) to "FACL Maintains Currency For These Positions."
Date: Apr 2021

Added: Incident Position Description (IPD) approved.

Date: Oct 2019

Added: To Qualification Requirements:  Note: Once qualified as a FACL, the LSC3 qualification may be granted by the certifying official. Certification must be documented on a “verification/certification” page of the LSC3 Position Task Book (311-35).

Date: Oct 1984

Position created.

USWDS Paragraph Bundles

Primary Committee: Incident and Position Standards Committee
Steward: Incident Logistics Subcommittee


Last Modified / Reviewed:

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Risk Management Committee Releases Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

Date: November 7, 2024
Contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has released Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires. As wildland fire respirators are available through several established vendors, wildland fire personnel need to understand regulations and limitations of respirator use in the workplace.

Safety Bulletin 24-001 outlines the following topics regarding respirator use for wildland fires:

  • Requirements for Respirator Use
  • Voluntary Respirator Use
  • Current Respirator Options
  • Unknown Risks of Respirator Use

This bulletin also provides mitigation recommendations to help reduce smoke exposure for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

NWCG Smoke Management Guide for Prescribed Fire, PMS 420-3

VIDEO: Protecting Wildfire Personnel from Smoke - How Incident Management Teams Address Smokes Risks

VIDEO: Smoke, Knowing the Risks

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Medical Unit Leader (MEDL)

Date: October 16, 2024
Contact: Incident Medical Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Medical Unit Leader, PMS 350-39 and NWCG Position Task Book for Medical Unit Leader (MEDL), PMS 311-39 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for MEDL includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book, were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Medical Unit Leader Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Medical Unit Leader, PMS 350-39

NWCG Position Task Book for Medical Unit Leader (MEDL), PMS 311-39

The Wildland Fire Learning Portal is Now Available

Date: October 9, 2024
Contact: Wildland Fire Learning Portal

The Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) is back online following a migration to a new learning management system (LMS) application. The WFLP team is actively addressing any issues that may arise as a result of the update, and appreciates your patience as the team works to enhance your experience. NWCG will share information from the WFLP as it is available.

Should you have any issues with accessing or using the WFLP, please use the link below to submit a ticket through the Help Center.

References:

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Wildland Fire Learning Portal Help Center

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases New Equipment Bulletins

Date: September 27, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released three new Equipment Bulletins:

  • ETC-EB-24-003 Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers.
  • ETC-EB-24-004 Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeep of current inventories.
  • ETC-EB-24-005 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance.

These bulletins remind field going personnel of important issues related to equipment for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-24-003 Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers

ETC-EB-24-004 Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeep of current inventories

ETC-EB-24-005 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance