Staging Area Manager

STAM Incident Position Description

The Staging Area Manager is responsible for managing all activities within the staging area and ensuring organization and space for all assigned resources while they wait for tactical assignments. The STAM reports to an Operations Section Chief or other assigned supervisor and works in the Operations functional area.

Prepare and Mobilize

• Obtain and assemble information and materials needed for kit.
• Ensure individual readiness.
• Gather critical information pertinent to the assignment.
• Travel to and check in at assignment.
• Review the Incident Action Plan (IAP) and obtain briefing, objectives, radio frequencies, and intent from supervisor.

Build the Team

• Assemble and validate readiness of assigned personnel and equipment assigned to the staging area.
• Establish and communicate chain of command, reporting procedures, risk management processes, and radio frequency management.
• Establish a common operating picture with module supervisors.
• Brief current and newly arriving modules using IAP and/or NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461 briefing checklist. 

Supervise and Direct Work Assignments

• Establish and communicate objectives, priorities, potential work assignments, and performance expectations.
• Identify, analyze, and use relevant situational information to make more 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 and supervisor.
• Ensure incident objectives and performance standards are understood.
• Communicate problems immediately and take corrective actions.

Perform Staging Area Manager-Specific Duties

• Obtain initial briefing from supervisor and attend subsequent operational period briefings. Determine the types and numbers of resources to be maintained in the staging area.
• Complete Activity Log (ICS 214), for each operational period for the duration of the assignment.
• Establish the Staging Area to ensure quick response for apparatus/vehicles.
• Establish vehicle traffic patterns and assign parking.
• Check-in and track STAM resources.
• Establish and communicate the following:
  • Staging area rules.
  • Restricted areas (e.g., helibase, private property).
  • Procedures for staging, dispatching, check-out, refueling, status reporting.
  • Rotation of assigned resources for feeding, personal needs, etc.
  • Established crew standby areas.
  • Safety concerns.
• Establish, communicate, and implement staging area dispatch procedures. Organize task force or strike teams as necessary.
• Coordinate with the Planning section.
  • Provide a copy of the staging area layout to the Planning section and ensure staging areas are located on the IAP maps.
  • Obtain transportation and IAP maps.
  • Obtain the incident contingency plan containing emergency procedures outlined for the staging area.
• Coordinate with the Logistics section.
  • Determine the needs of personnel in the staging area.
• Coordinate with the Finance/Administration section.
  • Determine procurement procedures and identify what resources are available locally.
  • Establish appropriate timekeeping procedures for the staging area.
• Coordinate with the Safety Officer.
  • Develop measures for ensuring safety of personnel while monitoring and assessing hazards.
• Relocate the staging area as directed.
• Closeout the staging area.
• Rehabilitate the staging area.

Communicate and Coordinate

• Follow established processes and chain of command for collecting, producing, and distributing information.
• Communicate with supervisors regarding resource control issues that may arise. Correct deficiencies immediately.
• Establish a bulletin board, and post procedures for the staging area and a copy of the IAP for each operational period.
• Report any changes or hazardous conditions to supervisor.
• Communicate effectively using multichannel radios. Understand how to clone and program radios for staging area resources.
• 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 compliance with all safety practices and procedures for assigned personnel.
• Ensure staging area operations are compliant with Lookouts, Communication, Escape Routes, Safety Zones (LCES), Standard Firefighting Orders, and mitigation of applicable Watch Out Situations.
• 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.
• Take precautions for any hazardous materials in the staging area:
  • Ensure the safe handling of hazardous materials.
  • Dispense fuel and hazardous materials carefully.
  • Use absorbent materials as required by local protocol. See Operations Section Chief, Logistics Section Chief, or Resource Advisor.
  • Coordinate with Ground Support Unit Leader (GSUL) concerning the handling of hazardous materials.
  • Rope or flag off areas where hazardous materials or safety hazards are present.

Document

• Complete, ensure timeliness of, and route as required:
  • Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF-297 (Watch: How to Correctly Fill Out The Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket)
  • Fuel Receipts
  • 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)
  • SAFECOM
  • SAFENET
  • Activity Log (ICS 214)
  • Agency-specific forms

Demobilize

• Confirm and obtain instructions from the Operations Section Chief to demobilize fire resources. Operations Section Chief is responsible for notifying the other sections (e.g., Logistics, Planning).
• Use the Demobilization Check-Out form (ICS 221) to assist in proper demobilization procedures.
• Brief assigned resources on demobilization procedures and responsibilities.
• Rehabilitate staging area to pre-incident condition.