Finance/Administration Section Chief Type 1

FSC1 Incident Position Description

The Finance/Administration Section Chief, Type 1 (FSC1), is responsible for all financial, administrative, and cost analysis aspects of the incident. The FSC1 supervises members of the Finance/Administration Section and reports to the Incident Commander (IC). The FSC1 works in the Finance/Administration functional area.

The FSC1 performs position duties commensurate with Type 1 incident complexity and characteristics stated in the Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book).

Prepare and Mobilize

• Ensure individual readiness.
• Obtain and assemble information and materials needed for kit.
• Collect incident information from outgoing Finance Section Chief or other personnel responsible for the incident prior to arrival.
• Gather critical information pertinent to the assignment.
• Travel to and check in at assignment.
• Obtain briefing, objectives, and intent from the Incident Commander (IC).

Build The Team

• Assemble and validate readiness of assigned personnel and equipment.
• Plan and activate the Finance Section by identifying units within the section to be activated and ordering resources required for section operation. Define workspace requirements and locations.
• Develop and implement a section operating plan, considering the section timeframe and schedules, as well as the incident agency policies and procedures.
• Brief assigned personnel.

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; communicate changing conditions to incident subordinates.
• Monitor performance and provide immediate and regular feedback to assigned personnel.
• Manage operational periods and ensure adequate work/rest ratio for the functional area.
• Ensure daily objectives and performance standards are met.

Perform Finance Section Chief-Specific Duties

• Review Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG); if applicable, and establish the cost accounting requirements and documentation required to meet the needs of the state under FMAG, ensuring that all pay documents include the specific incident order and request numbers.
• Follow established procedures for financial coordination with the jurisdictional agency and maintenance of finance, property procurement, personnel records, and forms.
• Provide resource cost information to the Incident Management Team (IMT) that can be utilized to manage resources, implement cost management measures, and develop costs for strategic alternatives.
• Provide financial summary information on current incident operations to the hosting agency representative, as well as to Command and General Staff (C&G).
• Provide estimated costs to date and anticipated total costs.
• Ensure incident resources follow the appropriate guidance for Damage/Loss of Government Property as outlined in NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902.
• Establish reporting schedule to gather daily equipment time from support sections and contractors.
• Review Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF-297 (Watch: How to Correctly Fill Out The Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket), for adherence to contract/agreement terms and conditions and to the NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902, regarding: pay regulations, on-shift/off-shift time, down time, posting of commissary/deductions, approvals/signatures, and any special considerations in the Remarks Block.
• Ensure the original completed performance evaluations are forwarded to the awarding Contracting Officer and contractor and that a copy is retained for the Incident Finance Package.
• Ensure an investigation is initiated for each claim. Provide the incident agency recommendations for each claim, as well as a statement of why it was approved or denied.
• Utilize incident time system programs and provide training as needed.
• Participate in preparation of the Incident Action Plan (IAP) or relevant plan and advise on current capabilities and limitations, additional needs, and long-range plans.
• Ensure the provisions in the cooperative agreements include direction for incident business management and related record keeping.
• Ensure preparation of timely financial and administrative reports to enable the IC to respond appropriately.
• Review contacts, memoranda of understanding, and cooperative agreements for incident impact and application.
• Ensure the review of cost share agreement(s), including associated exhibits and related operating plans for direction.
• Share pertinent finance/administration information that may affect the IMT’s management of the incident, such as cost constraints, land-use agreements, and cost share agreements.
• Provide information to the IMT, the incident agency, and the agency responsible for payment, as requested, e.g., management information reports or accrual reports.
• Ensure cost management measures are in place as outlined in the NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902.
• Analyze incident resource cost information, including the evaluation and tracking of inefficient and uneconomical operations and communicate information to the IMT.
• Adhere to guidelines in the NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902, for work/rest, length of assignment, determining when travel is compensable, ensuring adherence to ordered standby guidelines, and validating submitted time in accordance with Incident Operations Driving Standards.

Communicate and Coordinate

• Follow established processes and chain of command for collecting, producing, and distributing information.
• Facilitate initial and continued contact with the incident Agency Administrator regarding agency requirements and expectations, Incident Finance Package, and closeout requirements.
• Meet with assisting and cooperating agency representatives as required.
• Interact and coordinate with C&G and appropriate unit leaders.

Manage Risk

• Account for the location, health, safety, and welfare of assigned personnel.
• Report all accidents or injuries to the incident supervisor.
• Ensure compliance with all safety practices and procedures for yourself and those around you.

Documentation

• Participate in the transition briefing for the incoming IMT and include documentation such as payment packages, decision documents, and contractor performance evaluations.
• Ensure adequate documentation of all actions taken in relation to incident business management, providing the host agency with an Incident Finance Package that will facilitate payments, claims processing, and resolution of outstanding problems.
• Close out all contract documents prior to resource demobilization; distribute copies per agency and incident policy.
• Crew Time Report (CTR), SF-261 (Watch: How to correctly fill out a CTR)

Demobilize

• Coordinate with other sections during demobilization to ensure the return of accountable property to the appropriate owner, e.g., incident agency, or local, geographic, or national cache.
• Anticipate demobilization, identify excess resources, and prepare demobilization schedule.
• Plan for demobilization. Brief assigned resources on demobilization procedures and responsibilities and ensure incident and agency demobilization procedures are followed.
• Brief Agency Administrator representative on the Incident Finance Package.
• Ensure equipment and supplies are returned to appropriate unit.
• Coordinate an efficient transfer of position duties when mobilizing or demobilizing.