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Radio Operator

RADO decorative banner: photos depicting RADO position. RADO Position Description: The Radio Operator (RADO) works in the Communications Unit, under the Logistics Section. The immediate supervisor for the Radio Operator is the Incident Communications Center Manager who manages the Incident Communications Center (ICC). In the absence of an Incident Communications Center Manager, the Communications Unit Leader will supervise the Radio Operator position. The Communications Technician also works in the Communications Unit. Often the Communications Technician requests assistance from the Radio Operator to help clone and check out radios.

The Radio Operator (RADO) is responsible for receiving and transmitting radio and telephone messages between incident personnel, providing dispatch services at the incident, and documenting pertinent radio/phone traffic for the incident. The RADO reports to the Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM) or the Communications Unit Leader (COML) and works in the Logistics functional area.

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: Apr 2021

Added: Incident Position Description (IPD) approved.

Date: Oct 2019

Added:  Annual Fireline Safety Refresher (RT-130) to Required Training.

Date: Mar 1999

Position created.

USWDS Paragraph Bundles

Primary Committee: Incident and Position Standards Committee
Steward: Incident Logistics Subcommittee
Key Stakeholder(s): National Coordination System Committee


Page Last Modified / Reviewed:
USWDS Paragraph Bundles

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

2023 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Date: May 24, 2024
Contact: NWCG Emergency Medical Committee 

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) announces the recipients of the 2023 Wildland Fire EMS Awards. EMC annually recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated outstanding actions or accomplishments that are above and beyond the expectation of one’s normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety of the wildland fire community. These awards are well deserved.

References:

2023 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

NWCG Emergency Medical Committee

Next Generation Position Task Books

Date: May 21, 2024
Contact: NWCG Training 

NWCG is excited to announce the release of Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs). The Next Gen PTB is part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. Next Gen PTBs are intended to be used in conjunction with Incident Position Standards to support constructive conversations between trainees and evaluators, set baseline standards, and enhance speed to competency.

Next Gen PTBs and Incident Position Standards are now available for Crew Boss, Single Resource (CRWB) and Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2). As positions go through IPTM, Next Gen PTBs will be developed and published.

References:

NWCG Position Task Books

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

Updated NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Date: May 10, 2024
Contact: IFUASS Qualification and Curriculum Board (IFUASS) 

The 2024 revision of the NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 is now available. PMS 515 standardizes the processes and procedures for interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This publication is now available as a PDF for easy use offline.

References:

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Memorandum 24-003: Removal of Type 1 Command and General Staff (C&G) Incident Position Qualification Pathways

Date: May 10, 2024
Contact: Aitor Bidaburu 

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide NWCG direction for removal of the Type 1 Command and General Staff (C&G) incident position qualification pathways to transition to Complex Incident Management (CIM). Responders may continue to utilize available NWCG pathways to attain Type 1 C&G qualifications until December 31, 2024.

References:

Memorandum 24-003

CIM Story Map