Planning
ACPC	Assistant Area Commander Planning, AD L
DMOB	Demob Unit Leader, AD H
DOCL	Documentation Unit Leader, AD F
DPRO	Display Processor, AD C
FBAN	Fire Behavior Analyst, AD J
FEMO	Fire Effects Monitor, AD H
FOBS	Field Observer, AD F
GISS	GIS Specialist, AD G
HRSP	Human Resource Specialist, AD H
LTAN	Long Term Fire Analyst, AD J
PSC1	Planning Section Chief Type 1, AD L
PSC2	Planning Section Chief Type 2, AD K
RESL	Resources Unit Leader, Unit H
SCKN	Status/Check In Recorder, AD E
SITL	Situation Unit Leader, AD H
TNSP	Training Specialist, AD F
WOBS	Weather Observer, AD E

 

 

ACPC Assistant Area Commander Planning, AD L

Duties:

• Assemble information on individual incident strategies and objectives and determine potential conflicts based on the following information:
  • Wildland Fire Situation Analysis
  • Delegations of Authority
  • Objectives from Incident Action Plans
  • List of Incident Management Teams critical resources
  • Maps
  • Incident Status Summaries
  • Agency Administrator direction
• Maintain an Area Command Incident Status Summary including critical resources by operational period by incident.
• Prepare recommendations for allocation and/ or reassignment of critical resources.
• Prepare and distribute Area Command Team decisions.
• Prepare and facilitate Area Command briefings as requested or needed.
• Establish direction for demobilization of critical resources
• Ensure demobilization plans are coordinated between Incident Management Teams and agency dispatchers.
• Maintain unit log and log of strategic decisions.
• Assure Area Commander re-delegates authorities to Incident Commanders as needed.
• Prepare and maintain information for Area command documentation package:
  • Area Command briefing agenda(s) and schedules
  • Phone lists /organization charts
  • Area Command Delegations of Authority, roles, performance and other written agency administrator direction
  • Incident Management Team performance ratings
  • Dated priority / critical resources.

Position Needs

• Area Command S-620
• Satisfactory performance as an Incident Commander or general staff on a National Type 1 IMT.
  And
• Satisfactory position performance as an Assistant Area Commander, Planning on a wildland fire incident.

 

DMOB Demob Unit Leader, AD H

Duties:

• Develops the Demobilization Plan.
• Implements, supervises, monitors and coordinates the demobilization process.
• Facilitates emergency demobilization when necessitated by emergency situation.
• Ensures agency policies regarding demobilization are followed.
• Responsible for all safety related issues in related to demobilization policies.
• Ensures that the demobilization of suppression resources is completed in an economically conservative fashion. Involves matching of resources to home units. Involves knowledge of large air transport capabilities, location of appropriate jet ports and flight logistics.
• Gathers and reviews resource records and information to determine the like size and extent of the demobilization efforts.
• Obtain objectives, priorities, schedules, ongoing resources needs, and constraints for the demobilization plan, this information is gathered from the Section Chiefs, Unit leaders of each section and agency representatives of incident agency and dispatch.
• Develops list of identified surplus resources and probable release times, travel methods, and maintains contact with agency dispatch on release schedule.
• Develop incident check-out function for all units, evaluate logistics and transportation capabilities to support demobilization. Processes emergency release requests.
• Prepare appropriate directories (e.g. maps, instructions, etc.) for inclusion in the demobilization plan. Ensures the ICS Form 221 is prepared for each resource prior to major demobilization.
• Obtains review and approval of the demobilization plan, provides copies to section chiefs, agency dispatch and IC, who provides final approval upon review. Ensures all Sections / Units understand their specific demobilization responsibilities.
• Distributes demobilization plan on and off-site, which is to command and general staff, appropriate unit leaders, agency representatives, check-out locations, incident agency dispatch and other who assist in the implementation plan, and post plan in prominent locations.
• Implements, supervises and monitors demobilization process. Which involves maintaining contact with all who are responsible for implementing the demobilization plan, ensures released resources meet standards established in the demobilization plan, i.e., rest and feeding requirements, adjusts priorities and work assignments to meet schedules and management objectives, requests verification of transportation to home base, reassignment availability and other qualifications and coordinates surplus personnel and resource assignment needs with Resource Unit Leader.
• Maintains close coordination with agency dispatch during plan implementation. Which involves establishing notification procedures and time frames, verify transportation arrangements, update / change release schedule.
• Demobilize resources and finalize incident demobilization by coordinating with the agency demobilization organization to ensure all excess resources are demobilized and all issues are resolved, and advises the Planning Section Chief.

Position Needs:

• Knowledge of supervisory principles and incident practices to effectively and efficient supervise and coordinate with other incident team sections.
• Interpersonal skill to communicate, verbally and in writing with members of the planning section and other incident section chiefs.
• S-347, Demobilization Unit Leader
• Satisfactory performance as a Resource Unit Leader and position performance as a demobilization Unit leader on a wildland fire assignment.
• To maintain currency must have either the Resource Unit Leader or Support Dispatcher fire assignments.

 

DOCL Documentation Unit Leader, AD F

Duties:

• Establishes and organizes incident files in approved format.
• Provides duplication and collation services.
• Coordinates and orders essential equipment for the unit and coordinates maintenance and release of equipment.
• Provides Incident Action Plan preparation.
• Produces final documentation package and assures host agency receives package.
• Obtains and assembles information and materials needed for documentation unit leader kit.
• Establishes and maintains positive interpersonal and interagency working relationships.
• Establish / maintain checklist of all functions to assure timely input of documentation for final package.
• Obtains briefing from Planning Section Chief.
• Organizes and supervises unit.
• Assists other units in the planning section to meet priorities and timeframes.
• Records minutes at meetings for inclusion in final package.
• Maintains Unit Log, ICS Form 214.
• Assures CTSP receives IAP components electronically.

Position Needs:

• Knowledge of commonly used procedures that requires some training.
• There is a list of guidelines; employee chooses most appropriate.
• Tasks involve related steps requiring employee to recognize different steps.
• Interpersonal skill level to communicate, verbally and in writing, with members of the planning section and other incident section chiefs.
• S-110, Basic Fire Suppression Orientation
• I-200, Basic ICS
• J-342, Documentation Unit Leader
• Satisfactory performance as a DOCL.

 

DPRO Display Processor, AD C

Duties:

• Gather information on available facilities and equipment.
• Obtain materials and equipment necessary to accomplish tasks.
• Identify and use maps, photos, graphics, and other documents to planning section maps and displays
• Assist Situation Unit Leader collecting and preparing maps and displays.
• Produce and update situations, action plan, operations briefing, and traffic maps.
• Provide documentation developed during the incident.

Position Needs:

• Knowledge in use of standard fire symbols for mapping.

 

FBAN Fire Behavior Analyst, AD J

Currently Unavailable

 

FEMO Fire Effects Monitor, AD H

Duties:

INTRODUCTION

Works within the Incident Management team on an incident level or at a local level for the Incident agency.

Major Duties:

• Reviews agency procedures, policies and regulations for wildland and/or prescribed fire through conversations with the supervisor and/or reading of appropriate manuals and handbooks;
• Monitors, obtains, and records fire behavior data throughout the fire management operation. Recons burn unit area and plots the burn unit area on maps;
• Monitors, obtains, and records weather data;
• Monitors and documents burn patterns, fuel loadings and consumption, burn severity, plant mortality, scorch height, depth of burn, hydrophobicity, air quality, water quality, historic property related to fire treatment objectives,
• Anticipates, characterizes, and reports the range of variability of effect due to changes in fire behavior;
• Reports atmospheric characteristics that influence fire whirls, winds associated with thunderstorm cells and their effect on fire and wind speed changes and direction;
• Monitors and records smoke management information. Maintains communication with the National Weather Service, weather observers and lookouts. Identifies smoke characteristics and recognizes and reports emission problems;
• Collects and records environmental data. Collects appropriate fuel, soil, and vegetation samples for moisture analysis. Observes and records land and vegetation data that influences fire behavior;
• Advises supervisor on monitoring progress and results, equipment problems, and safety of assigned personnel Advises on appropriate mitigating actions such as posting of lookouts, and identification of safety zones and escape routes;.
• Records fire movement; e.g., by taking photographs, recording growth on maps, calculating percentage of burn spread;
• Compiles observed fire behavior and effects, information and data. Compares observed fire behavior and effects with that planned and anticipated. Completes a narrative report at the end of the wildland fire incident or prescribed burn that depicts how well the objectives were met.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

• General knowledge of fire behavior, weather, and mapping;
• Knowledge of the Incident Command System in order to provide advice and counsel for successful fire monitoring;
• Skill in oral and written communication in order to provide direction and interpretation of policy, procedures and guidelines to supervisors and crew members;
• Appropriate training for successful performance in this position may be met in part by the Wildland and Prescribed Fire Qualification Guide 310-1.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

This position reports to either the Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN), the Fire Use manager (FUM1), or the Prescribed Fire Burn Boss. The supervisor defines objectives, priorities, and deadlines, and assists with unusual situations that do not have clear precedents or do not conform to established policies, practices, or procedures.

The employee plans and carries out the successive steps and handles problems and deviations in accord with instructions, policies, previous training, and accepted practices.

Completed work is usually evaluated for technical soundness and conformity to policy and requirements. Methods used by the employee are not usually reviewed in detail.

GUIDELINES

Specific and detailed guidelines can be found in the Fire Line Handbook and the Incident Pocket Response Guide. For prescribed burns, written burn plans are also available. Although specific and detailed, there are generally some gaps in specificity.

The employee must use seasoned judgment developed through training and experience to properly and effectively advise superiors.

COMPLEXITY

The position plays a critical role not only in monitoring, recording and identifying components of a plan, but it also interprets instructions and plans independently in order to provide advisory and consultative services to fire management. The various choices available require the employee to recognize the choices and decide appropriately. The employee must recognize problems and use seasoned judgment to determine and advise on the appropriate approach.

SCOPE AND EFFECT

The work involves gathering data to measure fire behavior and to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented prescribed burn plan. It involves treating a wide variety of conventional problems and situations in conformance with established criteria.
Recommendations and advice provided by the employee affect local incident operations processes.

PERSONAL CONTACTS

The employee’s contacts are primarily with local fire personnel, working 
Closely with the Fire Use Manager, Prescribed Fire Burn Boss, the Fire Management
Officer, and/or the Agency administrator. .

PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

The purpose of contacts is to advise local management on the fire status and the behavior of wildland fires or prescribed fire. Contacts require the employee to analyze fire behavior and to recommend changes that improve efficiencies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work generally requires moderate physical exertion. Field work requires exposure to various extreme weather conditions. Twelve to fourteen hour shifts for up to fourteen consecutive days may be required during fire season.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work is performed primarily in the field, mainly on unlevel ground. Conditions are generally hot; travel is required.

 

FOBS Field Observer, AD F

Duties:

• Obtain briefing from Situation Unit Leader or work supervisor.
• Obtain materials, transportation, and communications.
• Perform general field observations and maintain field map.
  • Determine and record incident perimeter and identify potential changes.
  • Determine appropriate and safe travel routes.
  • Determine areas threatened.
  • Monitor weather changes and report appropriately.
  • Anticipate, characterize, and report the range of variability of fire effects.
  • Identify and report hazardous situations and problem areas.
  • Identify and report safety zones.
  • Report progress of operations and logistical support.
  • Map current and potential facilities, such as drop points, water sources, and helispots.
• Report hazardous situations.
  • Immediately report hazardous, life threatening situations to appropriate incident management personnel.
• Monitor and record weather conditions.
  • Select suitable weather sampling site(s).
  • Record temperature.
  • Calculate relative humidity.
  • Measure wind speed and direction.
  • Complete weather observation form.
  • Submit weather observations or forms as directed by supervisor.
• Monitor incident situation.
  • Monitor, record, and report fire behavior
    characteristics:
    • Flame lengths
    • Rate of spread
    • Smoke indicators
    • Fuel models/conditions
  • Monitor, record, and immediately report extreme fire behavior.
• Safety.
  • Take immediate corrective actions as conditions may warrant.
  • Adhere to agency-specific and incident appropriate safety standards while performing all tasks.
• Report field data.
• Map and overlay production
• Maintain incident history on maps and narratives as required.
• Provide documentation of situation unit activities.
• Confirm demobilization instructions with supervisor.

Position Needs:

• Qualified in one Strike Team Leader position
  OR
• Qualified in two Single Resource Boss positions (one must be CRWB or ENGB), and ICT4

 

GISS GIS Specialist, AD G

Duties

Currently Unavailable

 

HRSP Human Resource Specialist, AD H

Duties

• Maintain current working knowledge of human resource practices regarding the scope of potential issues which may arise in a fire camp situation.
• Be aware of union and other potential regulations involving personnel actions.
• Professionalism and diplomacy are primary factors for successful performance.
• Contact home units of individuals involved in inappropriate activities.
• Performs role of ‘guidance counselor, grief counselor, etc.’
• Assemble agency information for use in briefings, IAPs, answering requests, and resolving problems.
• Conduct appropriate periodic briefings to keep cooperating agencies informed of problems, concerns, and issues.
• Maintain appropriate visibility and document contacts made during incident.
• Interact and coordinate with all command and general staff by informing them of inappropriate practices or activities existing and assist in resolving inappropriate acts or conditions by facilitating appropriate process.
• Provide accurate and timely advice and assistance in response to requests for information or resolution of problems and issues.
• Order additional HRSP if needed.

Position Needs:

• S-340, Human Resource Specialist
• Triennial RT-340, Human Resource specialist Refresher Workshop

 

LTAN Long Term Fire Analyst, AD J

Duties

• Assist in the burn plan development and review before implementing.
• Provide appropriate historic weather information.
• Obtain weather forecasts, updates and special advisories; document local weather before and during the fire; and communicate with Meteorologist.
• Establish and maintain effective communications with appropriate personnel, such as supervisors, Fire Effects Monitor, crewmembers, or adjoining forces.
• Establish a system to monitor fire behavior, first order fire effects, weather data before (if possible), during and after ignition.
• Assess real time observations of fire behavior and immediate fire effects, and recommend tactical adjustments.
• Identify fuels outside of standard models because of depth, loading arrangement, or kind of fuel; and adjust predictions accordingly.
• Analyze observed and predicted fire behavior to make adjustments to fuel models or the assumptions used in the fire behavior calculations.
• Estimate wind speed and direction at any time and location over a large area of varying topography, given a fire weather forecast.
• Assemble information and calculate fire growth from a line source of fire over an extended time period.
• Recognize and describe special conditions that promote extreme fire behavior.
• Calculate the rate of spread, flame lengths (fireline intensity), heat per unit area, burn size (area and perimeter) for selected time periods for a burn starting from a point source and be able to plot the burn area an perimeter on a map.
• Predict the rate and direction of fire spread on slope with winds at various angles on the slope.
• Employ appropriate solution9s) for burns of extended durations.
• Provide assessment of risk of a rare fire spread, significant smoke, and p or season ending event for long duration fires.
• Synthesize the data sets from a number of local weather stations for useful inputs to fire behavior calculations for various locations.
• Monitor smoke emissions for health, safety, and vista impairment.
• Locate proper sites for and identify appropriate equipment for weather data collection.
• Prepare written prescribed fire behavior forecast within the time frame specified by the supervisor.
• Provide formal briefing to appropriate personnel.
• Provide fire behavior and fire effects summary for the fire(s).

Position Needs:

• S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations
• S-490, Advanced Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations
• S-590, Advanced Fire Behavior Interpretations
• S-492, Long Term Fire Risk Assessment
• S-493, FARSITE: Fire Growth Simulation

 

PSC1 Planning Section Chief Type 1, AD L

Duties

• Collect, identifies current and potential problems and concerns, and processes situation information about the incident. Monitors incident status and develops alternative strategies.
• Supervise preparation of the IAP. Obtains elements from other appropriate sections within established time frames, which includes but not limited to Wildland Fie situation Analysis, contingency plans, operation period briefing.
• Incorporate the incident traffic plan (from Ground Support) and other supporting plans into the IAP.
• Establish information requirements, supervises section, and reporting schedules for Planning Section units.
• Determines need for any specialized resources in support of the incident.
• Assembles and disassemble strike teams and task forces not assigned to operations.
• Establish special information collection activities as necessary, e.g. weather, environmental, toxics, etc. Coordinates incident rehabilitation needs, e.g. Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation Team.
• Provide periodic productions on incident potential. Identifies or reaffirms incident objectives, implements, describes and utilize necessary agency policy, legal and fiscal constraints, and political considerations to be used in the planning meeting to review adequacy of strategic plans (WFSA and IAP).
• Report any significant changes in status information, providing accurate, adequate and current situation and resource status information with accurate maps.
• Ensures that the Operations Section Chief identifies incident control lines, values to be protected, division boundaries, drop points; and prioritizes divisions in the event the choices must be made in allocating scarce resources, on map visible to all attendees.
• Coordinates with all sections to assure the plan as proposed can be implemented and supported by available resources and reconcile any differences.
• Oversee preparation and implementation of the Incident Demobilization Plan.
• Ensures all incident reports narratives are completed, and debriefs Agency Administrator upon completion of Demobilization.

Position Needs:

• Interpersonal skill to communicate, verbally and in writing with members of the planning section and other incident section chiefs.
• S-520, Advanced Incident Management
• Satisfactory performance as a PSC2 and position performance as a PSC1 on a wildland fire assignment.

 

PSC2 Planning Section Chief Type 2, AD K

Duties

• Collect, identifies current and potential problems and concerns, and processes situation information about the incident. Monitors incident status and develops alternative strategies.
• Supervise preparation of the IAP. Obtains elements from other appropriate sections within established time frames, which includes but not limited to Wildland Fie situation Analysis, contingency plans, operation period briefing.
• Incorporate the incident traffic plan (from Ground Support) and other supporting plans into the IAP.
• Establish information requirements, supervises section, and reporting schedules for Planning Section units.
• Determines need for any specialized resources in support of the incident.
• Assembles and disassemble strike teams and task forces not assigned to operations.
• Establish special information collection activities as necessary, e.g. weather, environmental, toxics, etc. Coordinates incident rehabilitation needs, e.g. Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation Team.
• Provide periodic productions on incident potential. Identifies or reaffirms incident objectives, implements, describes and utilize necessary agency policy, legal and fiscal constraints, and political considerations to be used in the planning meeting to review adequacy of strategic plans (WFSA and IAP).
• Report any significant changes in status information, providing accurate, adequate and current situation and resource status information with accurate maps.
• Ensures that the Operations Section Chief identifies incident control lines, values to be protected, division boundaries, drop points; and prioritizes divisions in the event the choices must be made in allocating scarce resources, on map visible to all attendees.
• Coordinates with all sections to assure the plan as proposed can be implemented and supported by available resources and reconcile any differences.
• Oversee preparation and implementation of the Incident Demobilization Plan.
• Ensures all incident reports narratives are completed, and debriefs Agency Administrator upon completion of Demobilization.

Position Needs:

• Interpersonal skill to communicate, verbally and in writing with members of the planning section and other incident section chiefs.
• S-420, Command and General Staff
• I-400, Advanced ICS
• S-440, Planning Section Chief
• Satisfactory performance as a SITL and RESL and PCT2 on a wildland fire incident.

 

RESL Resources Unit Leader, Unit H

Duties

• Coordinates with section chiefs and unit leaders to assign specific resources to fill needs identified in the planning meeting.
• Coordinate with section chiefs and unit leaders to place resource orders to reconcile resource deficiencies and needs.
• Requires a specific knowledge of the capabilities of all suppression resources in order to meet the identified resource needs.
• Obtain briefing from Planning section Chief.
• Organize and supervise subordinates and work area.
• Establish and maintain positive interpersonal and interagency working relationships.
• Provide for the safety and welfare of assigned personnel.
• Complete all ICS forms and cards as appropriate.
• Organize check-in locations, brief personnel assigned to check-in function.
• Interact and coordinate with unit leaders and operations personnel.
• Display and adjust resource status information to reflect function, organization, status, and location of all resources on the incident.
• Track restrictions / work requirements for each resource.
• Prepare resource availability information.
• Provide resource information in the planning meetings.
• Record operational and logistical information and decisions on ICS Form 215.
• Prepare ICS Forms 203/204/207 for IAP.
• Provide information to SITL on current status of resources for ICS Form 209.
• Submit original forms and documents to DOCL for each operational period.
• Attend operational meetings.
• Adjust resource availability to reflect demobilization plan.
• Interact with PSC and other sections on resource unit release priorities.
• Confirm demobilization instructions with supervisor.

Position Needs:

• S-348, Resources Unit Leader
• Satisfactory performance as SCKN and RESL

 

SCKN Status/Check In Recorder, AD E

Duties

• Verify incident qualifications and collect information on: number of days in assignment status including previous assignments as appropriate, last day off, travel information, confirm at-work limitations if appropriate and unusual limitations and restrictions. Complete ICS-211 for each resource.
• Complete forms within timeframes established by Resource Unit Leader.
• Complete ICS 219 following ICS standard procedures and any specific directions provided by Resource Unit Leader.
• Track restrictions and work requirements for operational resources by updating information for each operational period for each operational resource.
• Brief Resource Unit Leader about status of resources prior to preparation of ICS 215.
• Maintain information about incident resources. Utilize ISUITE software when available.
• Respond and process request as quickly as possible.
• Assist Demob Unit Leader by preparing a list of scheduled releases and check out resources using the appropriate forms.
• Receive demo instructions from DMOB and insure that incident and agency procedures are followed.

Position Needs:

• Recommend ISUITE familiarity.

 

SITL Situation Unit Leader, AD H

Duties

• Prepares and maintains incident history on maps and narratives.
• Integrate data from various sources into meaningful information required by operations personnel. Source could include infrared data, aerial photographs, GIS, GPS, verbal reports from Field Observers, etc.
• Manage infrared technological services.
• Order infrared services using established procedures.
• Present infrared data to the operations section in a useable format.
• Obtain briefing from Planning Section Chief.
• Organize and supervise subordinates and work area.
• Establish and maintain positive interpersonal and interagency working relationships.
• Provide for the safety and welfare of assigned personnel.
• Obtain maps and gather operational information.
• Establish operational procedures with personnel, technical specialists, and operational personnel.
• Prepare and maintain incident maps and displays.
• Compile information for planning meetings and IAP.
• Attend planning meetings.
• Prepare ICS Form 209, Incident Statue Summary.
• Provide documentation of situation unit activities.
• Maintain unit log ICS 214.
• Confirm demobilization instructions with supervisor.

Position Needs:

• Qualified in one Strike Team Leader position
  OR
• Qualified in two Single Resource Boss positions (one must be CRWB or ENGB) and ICT4
• S-346, Situation Unit Leader

 

TNSP Training Specialist, AD F

Duties

• Motivate qualified individuals to accept trainees and follow program guidance. This will require creativity and an outgoing personality to convince trainers to accept the additional workload.
• Contact home units of trainees to ensure that the individual is qualified and that the appropriate initiation of the task book has occurred.
• Meet regularly with both trainee and trainer to evaluate progress and ensure proper progress.
• Initial contact with trainees will require an evaluation of their qualifications to ensure they have the background necessary for the proposed position. This requires a working knowledge of the qualifications system and the fire suppression organization.
• Contact the host unit of the incident to see if opportunities exist to help them improve their suppression capabilities.
• Provide PTBs to approved trainees when the home unit was not able to provide them.
• Conduct a closeout interview with the trainee and evaluator, assuring that documentation is proper and complete.
• Identify trainees, trainers and evaluators who are qualified and available to participate in the training program.
• Initiate individual training programs.
• Monitor the quality of the training assignments.
• Initiate the Training Assignment List Form.
• Evaluate the incident training potential with the Planning Section Chief daily.
• Finalize individual trainee assignments.

Position Needs:

• S-445, Training Specialist

 

WOBS Weather Observer, AD E

Duties

• Obtain briefing from Situation Unit Leader or work supervisor.
• Obtain materials, transportation and communications.
• Perform general weather observations and maintain field map.
• Monitor and record weather conditions.
• Monitor incident situation.
• Report field data.
• Map and overlay production.

Position Needs (from FS 5109.17):

• Qualified FFT1
• I-100, Intro to ICS
• S-190, Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior
• Training in use of belt weather kit