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Firefighter Type 2 (Crewmember)

FFT2 Incident Position Description

The Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) serves on a hand crew, engine crew, or helitack crew, performing fire suppression and fuels management duties in adverse climate, fuel, and terrain conditions. The FFT2 has no supervisory responsibilities and is supervised by the Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) or a Single Resource Boss [Crew Boss (CRWB), Heavy Equipment Boss (HEQB), Engine Boss (ENGB), Felling Boss (FELB), Firing Boss (FIRB), or Helicopter Manager (HMGB)]. The FFT2 works in the Operations functional area.

The FFT2 performs position duties commensurate with Type 2 incident complexity and characteristics stated in the Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book).

Leadership Level 1, Follower (Provide Action)

  • For additional information review Level 1 description, expected behaviors and knowledge, suggested development goals, and self-study opportunities.

Prepare and Mobilize

  • Ensure individual readiness.
  • Obtain briefing from supervisor.

Supervise and Direct Work Assignments

  • Acquire, 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. Communicate changing conditions to supervisor.

Perform Firefighter Type 2-Specific Duties

  • Establish and maintain the physical fitness level necessary to effectively perform hard physical labor for extended periods under adverse climate, fuel, and terrain conditions.
  • Perform wildland fire and prescribed fire duties including suppression, preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding, and mop-up. Use standard firefighting tools such as pulaskis, shovels, McLeods, chainsaws, drip torches, and fusees to do this work.
  • Perform hand crew duties including packing heavy loads of fuel, food, water, and tools for miles over rough terrain in hot and smoky conditions to get to the work site.
  • Perform engine operations duties including running the pump, deploying hoselays, completing preventative engine maintenance checks, and effectively using water and additives.
  • Perform portable pump operator duties such as pump site selection, set up, and operation.
  • Support chainsaw operations.
  • Apply knowledge of fuels, terrain, weather, and fire behavior to decisions and actions.
  • Use Incident Command System (ICS) terminology, organization, and command structure.
  • Use and maintain personal protection equipment (PPE).
  • Follow crew standard operating procedures (SOPs).
  • Ensure proper refurbishing and resupply of tools, vehicles, food, water and supplies.

Perform Fireline Duties

  • Use NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, to guide actions.
  • Look, listen, and learn. Ask questions when appropriate and ensure you understand instructions when they are given.
  • Ensure that instructions are clear and understood.
  • Be a student of fire. Observe interactions and operations to expand experience level.

Perform Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Duties

  • Conduct WUI operations according to guidelines stated in IRPG, incident-specific objectives and guidelines, and agency-specific guidance.

Communicate and Coordinate

  • Follow established processes and chain of command for collecting, producing, and distributing information.
  • Report any changes in fire behavior or hazardous conditions to supervisor.
  • Ensure basic understanding of multichannel radio operation. Use plain language and ICS terminology.
  • Participate in After Action Reviews (AAR).

Manage Risk

  • Operate within your skill level and limitations.
  • 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.
  • Report all accidents or injuries to supervisor.
  • Establish Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones (LCES) before they are needed, according to IRPG guidance.​
  • Apply the Standard Firefighting Orders and Watch Out Situations to your assignment, as stated in the IRPG.
  • Use Look Up, Down and Around in the IRPG to help maintain situational awareness. Adjust actions accordingly.
  • Identify health and safety hazards from smoke and mitigate exposure as necessary (Smoke: Know the Risks module)  
  • Comply with all safety practices and procedures.
  • Provide for health, safety, and welfare for self and those around you.

Document

Demobilize

  • Receive and follow demobilization instructions from supervisor.
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NWCG Latest Announcements

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

2024 Professional Reading Program

Date: April 26, 2024
Contact: Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP) 

The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program is announcing the 2024 Professional Reading list! The intent of the Professional Reading Program is to promote the reading and discussion of these books throughout the year. Discussion guides are provided and the corresponding Wildland Fire Leadership Levels have been identified.

The five books chosen for this year are: Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean, The Wisdom of the Bullfrog by William H. McRaven, The Art of Clear Thinking by Hasard Lee, Emotional Agility by Susan David, and Writing to Persuade by Trish Hall.

References:

Professional Reading Program

Wildland Fire Leadership Levels

NWCG Training Catalog now on Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Date: April 25, 2023
Contact: NWCG Training  

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) has migrated the training catalog from the NWCG website to the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) as part of our ongoing efforts to streamline processes and improve efficiency. To facilitate this transition, the training catalog remains available on www.nwcg.gov through April 2024.

Starting May 2024, the training catalog will no longer be accessible on www.nwcg.gov. However, you can still access the complete training catalog by logging in as a guest to the WFLP.

References:

Wildland Fire Learning Portal