Emergency Support Function #4 Wildland Support (FEMA)

Introduction

The position functions as a member of the Emergency Support Function #4 (ESF4) Group under the National Response Plan (NRP) organization during a declared emergency or disaster, and provides technical advice and support to FEMA while representing the Forest Service.  The Specialist communicates with federal and state agencies regarding policies, procedures, and capabilities related to all-risk emergency management, and serves as an information and intelligence source for the Forest Service during activation of the NRP.

The ESF4 Specialist is responsible for the timely processing of a wide variety of mission requests and tasking from FEMA and cooperating agencies.  This responsibility encompasses a complex array of duties as described below.

Nature and Scope

The position is responsible for representing the Forest Service’s interests and concerns during activation of the NRP for emergencies or disasters.  Such incidents may range in size and complexity from small “routine” incidents to multi-state “mega” disasters that overwhelm the capabilities of response agencies at all governmental levels.  They may involve natural or human-caused emergencies/disasters such as floods, hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, terrorist incidents, and major accidents.  The Specialist recommends to the ESF4 Leader, policies, procedures, or actions addressing incident issues, concerns, and opportunities, and maintains a cooperative working relationship with a wide variety of federal and state agencies.

The position is located within the ESF4 Group assigned to the Operations Section of the incident organization at one of the following locations:  The National Response Coordination Center, one of the 10 Regional Response Coordination Centers, or a Joint Field Office for the declared emergency or disaster.

Duties

• Provides technical information and guidance to FEMA and cooperating agencies related to the availability and capabilities of resources from federal and state wildland fire management agencies.
• Participates in information and planning meetings providing current resource status, limitations, and capabilities of agency resources.
• Facilitates the ordering of resources and services requested by FEMA through the mission assignment and tasking process.
• Provides monitoring, oversight, coordination, and accountability of all resources needed to achieve assigned missions and tasks.
• Conducts documentation, record preservation, and reporting in accordance with standard operating procedures.
• Recommends procedural or tactical changes as part of the incident action planning process.
• As requested, provides Incident Command system (ICS) orientation and training for FEMA and other agency personnel.
• Routinely coordinates with, and provides essential information up, down, and laterally within the FEMA and Forest Service organization.
• Maintains a high level of situation awareness at all times and prepares briefing papers and situation reports as requested.
• Serves as the Acting ESF4 Leader as necessary.

Qualifications

• The work requires extensive knowledge and application of the policies, principles, and procedures of the NRP, ICS, and the National Incident Management System.
• Requires the knowledge of resource availability, capabilities, and limitations as related to a wide variety of all-risk incidents.
• Requires analytical skills needed for evaluating operational activities, improving organizational effectiveness, and recommending policy or procedural changes.
• Writing skills are needed for the preparation of evaluations, reports, plans, and special projects as requested.
• Verbal skills are needed to effectively communicate a wide variety of complex technical and informational material to a large number of agencies and individuals, often with limited understanding of the subjects being addressed.
• Strong interpersonal skills are needed to cooperate, and occasionally negotiate agreements with a wide variety of agencies and organizations under stressful emergency response conditions.
• Ability to develop and maintain productive, harmonious relations with a variety of agencies, groups, and individuals.
• Requires the ability to effectively function under periods of high stress and confusion resulting from the urgent response to emergency situations.
• Strong planning and organizational skills are needed to manage the ESF4 organization and support the planning needs of the incident.
• A working knowledge of FEMA’s mission assignment process is needed.
• Requires a high level of personal characteristics dealing with flexibility, adaptability, initiative, patience, objectivity, and diplomacy.