Skip to main content

Strike Team Leader Heavy Equipment

Position Description

Introduction

This position leads Strike Teams as assigned.

Duties

  • Ensures that subordinate resources have all equipment and supplies required to meet tactical assignment objectives.  Identifies what impacts modified suppression objectives will have on resource assignments.  Determines situations that might modify tactics. Identifies effective use of assigned resources.  Identifies and assesses values to be protected and assigns resources.
  • Determines and obtains logistics needs for assigned personnel while in staging.  Briefs supervisor and IARR on staging area arrangements and procedures.  Confirms demobilization instructions with supervisor and briefs subordinates.
  • Ensures transportation needs are met as specified in the IAP.  Coordinates any additional transportation needs through the Ground Support Unit.  Informs supervisor if transportation needs cannot be met.  Ensures assigned resources arrive at assignment location.
  • At assigned work location, briefs and assigns tasks to resources based on IAP objectives, division/group assignments, and resource capabilities following Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG) format.  Briefs Single Resource Bosses using information form IAP (i.e., IAP objectives and division/group control assignments; work standards, expectations, and Incumbent Code of Conduct; weather; communication, expected fire behavior; explanation of organization).  Applies the Risk Management Process utilizing IRPG checklists throughout each operational period.  Applies minimum impact suppression tactics.
  • Coordinates activities with adjacent Strike Team/Task Force Leader(s) and single resources.  Contacts adjoining resources.  Makes list of supervisors of adjoining resources.  Informs adjoining resources of status.  Receives status of adjoining resources.  Determines communication channels with adjoining resources from IAP.  Maintains communication with assigned resources.
  • Monitors progress/work during operational period.  Receives reports from subordinate supervisor, based on briefing and work expectations.  Conducts personal observations based on work expectations.  Inspects and locates line in advance of line construction.  Assesses values to be protected.
  • Determines and provides for assistance or corrections to assigned work tasks during operational period.  Identifies needs for corrections in work tasks to meet objectives and preserve safety.  Identifies fatigue producing factors and takes corrective measures.  Contacts Division/Group Supervisor, etc., to review tactical effectiveness.  Identifies need for additional assistance, logistical support and replacements due to slow progress or unexpected events.  Identifies types of resources (air, equipment, hydraulics, etc.) and takes action to correct.  Determines assistance, logistical support, and replacements required to implement corrective action.  Evaluates recommendations from subordinate supervisors (e.g., split assignments with another division).  Assigns qualified personnel to scout line in critical areas.
  • Uses tactics applied to structure protection.  Sizes up the situation and identifies associated risks for current assignment utilizing the IRPG.  Identifies appropriate tactics for current resources.  Requests specialized resources if applicable.  Utilizes the resources available based on capabilities and limitations.
  • Completes the operational period After Action Review (AAR) with Single Resource Bosses.
  • Submits situation and resource status information to supervisor.  Informs supervisor of any change in conditions or events based on amended or adjusted work assignment or assigned resources.  Requests additional resources, logistical support, and/or replacements through supervisors based on IAP, briefings, and discussions.  Documents and reports hazards, special considerations or events in the Unit Log ICS 214 and to supervisor.
  • Fulfills administrative responsibilities.  Provides updated status and location of assigned resources to supervisor.  Establishes and confirms out-of-service time frame with supervisor.  Establishes contact or communication procedures for incident camp. Submits completed Unit Log to Documentation Unit.  Submits personnel and equipment time to Time Unit.  Meets with Training Specialist as required.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Practical knowledge of technical methods in order to perform the full range assignments as outlined above that comprise limited projects involving the use of specialized complicated techniques.
  • Completion of S-215, Fire Operations in the Urban Interface.
  • Completion of S-330, Task Force/Strike Team Leader.
  • Must be qualified Single Resource Heavy Equipment Boss.

Supervisory Controls

  • The supervisor assigns work and sets priorities, provides objectives, and deadlines on new projects or major changes.
  • The incumbent plans, organizes, and carries out recurring work without detailed instructions.  The incumbent functions independently on directing crews and additional resources as qualified.
  • Completed work is usually evaluated for technical soundness and conformity to policy and requirements.  Methods used by the incumbent are not usually reviewed in detail.

Guidelines

Guidelines are available, but may be limited and have gaps in specificity.

The incumbent uses judgment in determining the appropriate actions to take by interpreting and adapting existing guidelines.

Complexity

The work involves completing various different and unrelated tasks.

Decisions as to what needs to be done depend upon the incumbent analyzing many different alternatives and choosing the most appropriate one.

The work involves conditions and elements that must be identified and analyzed to discern interrelationships.

Scope and Effect

The work involves treating a wide variety of conventional problems, questions and situations in conformance with established criteria.  There may be unusual situations that arise; however, they are not ongoing.

The work product is instrumental in incident mission accomplishment.

Personal Contacts

Contacts are generally with incumbents associated with the incident, agency personnel, and others.  Contacts are in a moderately unstructured setting.

Purpose of Contacts

The purpose of contacts is to plan, coordinate, and advise on work program and resolve operational problems.

Physical Demands

Duties involve rigorous fieldwork requiring above average physical performance, endurance and superior conditioning.  Work requires prolonged standing, walking over uneven ground, and recurring bending, reaching, lifting and carrying of items weighing over 50 pounds and shared lifting and carrying of heavier items, and similar strenuous activities requiring at least average agility and dexterity.  Duties include demands for strenuous activities in emergencies under adverse environmental conditions and over extended periods of time.  Operation of some specialized fire equipment can place extended physical stress on the incumbent during fire activities.

Work Environment

The work is primarily performed in forest and range environments in steep terrain where surfaces may be extremely uneven, rocky, covered with vegetation, and in smoky conditions.  Temperatures may vary from above 100 degrees F to below freezing.  Risks include smoke inhalation, fire entrapment, snake or insect bites and stings, exposure to excessive machinery noise, and falling and rolling material.  The incumbent must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor sleeping and eating conditions and unpredictable sets of circumstances.  The incumbent may be required to live in backcountry camps for extended periods of time.  The hazardous nature of the work requires that personal protective equipment be worn (boots, hardhat, gloves, flame resistant clothing, etc.).  Work may require travel by light fixed wing or rotor wing aircraft.

 

Last Modified / Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG 2024 Spring/Summer Highlights

Date: September 13, 2024

Image
Forest Service Logo
Image
Bureau of Indian Affairs Logo
Image
Bureau of Land Management Logo
Image
National Park Service Logo
Image
Fish & Wildlife Service Logo
Image
State Foresters Logo
Image
U.S. Fire Administration
Image
Intertribal Timber Council Logo
Image
International Association of Fire Chiefs
Image
Department of Defense Logo

Welcome to our latest highlights from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, where we explore the latest updates, insights, and efforts that develop interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners.

The Performance Support Package, which for ABRO includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.
 


Image
NASA Logo

NASA JOINS NWCG!

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is officially an associate member of NWCG. As such, NASA is beginning to collaborate with wildland fire management agencies with the goal of increasing collaboration across agencies and leveraging NASA data, technology, and innovation for nation-wide efforts in wildland fire management. NASA has a rich history of research, development, and technology transfer in the areas of Earth science, space technologies, and aeronautics that support the NWCG mission.


Image
NWCG new website look.

WWW.NWCG.GOV HAS A NEW LOOK AND DESIGN

The NWCG web team dedicated the past two years to making a significant upgrade to the www.nwcg.gov site. This upgrade involved a comprehensive redesign of over 7,700 web pages.

The modernization of NWCG’s website involved migrating to Drupal 10, a cutting—edge content management system, and leveraging Amazon Web Service GovCloud for secure and efficient hosting. These upgrades help ensure that the NWCG website remains current in content management practices, offering enhanced customization, improved performance, and an overall superior user experience.


NWCG Leadership Committee

Image
WFLDP Professional Reading Program logo
Image
WFLDP PRP book covers

The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program announced the Professional Reading Program’s 2024 list!

The years books include:

  • 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
  • Writing to Persuade by Trish Hall

Learn more at the NWCG Leadership Committee


INCIDENT PERFORMANCE AND TRAINING MODERNIZATION

In 2023, NWCG kicked off the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. A training system overhaul focused on developing a performance-based training system designed to shift training to on-the-job when appropriate.

Over the next five years, NWCG intends to analyze all positions within the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1. To date we are currently working on 30 incident positions, and planning for 20+ in calendar year 2025.

Subject Matter Experts from a variety of geographical areas and agencies recently completed the position analysis for 16 positions. From this analysis, Incident Positions Standards and a Next Generation Position Task Book will be developed for each position.

Image
Incident Performance and Training Modernization

NEXT GENERATION POSITION TASK BOOK

In April 2024, NWCG launched the new Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB) which is a key component of the IPTM effort. This revised evaluation tool is designed to work in conjunction with the newly developed Incident Position Standards.

Major Next Gen PTB changes:

  • Structured to improve constructive conversations between evaluators and trainees.
  • Reference new Incident Position Standards.
  • Include only tasks required to be evaluated for successful performance.
  • Trainees will be rated on their performance vs. initialing whether a task was completed.
  • Must include written feedback when trainee does not meet the standard.
  • Will be position specific (no combined PTBs).
Image
Screen shot of the Next Gen Position Task Book

Image
Banner image of the Wildland Fire Learning Portal website

NWCG’s training course catalog is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP).

To access the training course catalog, visit WFLP and either set up an account or login as a guest.

 

 

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Aircraft Base Radio Operator (ABRO)

Date: September 12, 2024
Contact: Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Aircraft Base Radio Operator, PMS 350-87 and NWCG Position Task Book for Aircraft Base Radio Operator (ABRO), PMS 311-87 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for ABRO includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Aircraft Base Radio Operator Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Aircraft Base Radio Operator, PMS 350-87

NWCG Position Task Book for Aircraft Base Radio Operator, PMS 311-87

NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee Recognizes September as Suicide Prevention Month

Date: September 9, 2024
Contact: Mental Health Subcommittee 

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health within our wildland fire community. This year’s Suicide Prevention Month theme, “Stronger Together,” underscores the importance of unity and support in every facet of our lives — at work, with family, and among friends.

As we recognize Suicide Prevention Month, including Suicide Prevention Week (September 8 – September 14, 2024) and World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10, 2024), we encourage you to share resources and engage in meaningful conversations within your teams.

Remember: We are Stronger Together, and help is always available. Let’s continue to support one another and foster an environment where mental health is a priority.

References:

NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

2024/2025 NWCG Leadership Campaign – The Roots of Wildland Fire Leadership

Date: August 28, 2024
Contact: Leadership Committee 

NWCG is excited to announce the 2024/2025 NWCG Leadership Campaign, themed "The Roots of Wildland Fire Leadership." This campaign provides an opportunity for personnel to engage in leadership development activities.

The campaign features four modules that can be completed at any time between May 2024 and May 2025.

The Leadership Committee promotes and enables the development of leaders in the wildland fire service by providing educational and leadership development opportunities.

References:

2024/2025 NWCG Leadership Campaign – The Roots of Wildland Fire Leadership

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

NWCG Leadership Committee