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Burned Area Emergency Response Specialist

Position Description

Introduction

This position serves as a member of the interdisciplinary assessment team, providing specialized expertise in natural/cultural resources affected by the fire or BAER assessment technical support.  The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Assessment Team members work for the BAER Assessment Team Leader and usually have no direct supervisory responsibilities.  Possible BAER Assessment Team members include:

  • BAER Hydrologist
  • BAER Engineer
  • BAER Soil Scientist
  • BAER Botanist/Plant Specialist
  • BAER Heritage Resource Specialist
  • BAER Range Specialist
  • BAER Biologist
  • BAER Forester
  • BAER Geologist
  • BAER GIS Specialist
  • BAER Landscape Architect
  • BAER Recreation/Wilderness Specialist

Duties

  • Obtains briefing from BAER Assessment Team Leader regarding burned area survey objectives, potential safety hazards, and planned assessment completion dates.
  • Attends all briefings conducted by BAER Assessment Team Leader.
  • Coordinates, as appropriate, with fire suppression Incident Command organization when entering, exiting, or traveling through the fire area.
  • Works cooperatively with other team members to execute incident action plan.
  • Collects and analyzes field data and supporting data appropriate to resource area of expertise.
  • Describes emergency conditions relative to resource specialty.
  • Prepares written, photographic, or map documentation of resource conditions.
  • Recommends potential treatment measures appropriate to resource area of expertise.
  • Develops treatment specifications, locations, and cost information for inclusion in the emergency stabilization plan and Burned Area Report.
  • Recommends effectiveness monitoring procedures and assists in development of BAER monitoring plan.
  • Assists in preparing initial FS emergency stabilization plan and briefing agency administrator.
  • Ensures that assessment team safety measures are followed.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Knowledge of emergency stabilization program policy and objectives, completion of FS or Interagency BAER team member course and/or prior experience as a BAER assessment team member.
  • Specialized knowledge/experience regarding post-fire effects and effective emergency stabilization techniques specific to their resource specialty.
  • When fire is uncontained- work capacity fitness level of light, annual fire line safety refresher, S-190, S-130, communications and radio training.

NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) Available Now

Date: Aug 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. S-290 (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components that support individuals working towards any Single Resource Boss or Fire Effects Monitor incident qualifications.

This second course in the series collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills, and provides more detailed information on fuels, weather, and topography that affect wildland fire behavior for safety purposes.

Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended).

References:

S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) Now Available

Date: Aug 14, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

The S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) is now available. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) incident qualifications. 

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components. This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of the HECM position, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended)

NWCG Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for FBAN and LTAN

Date: Aug 13, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) and Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst Page

ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 New Guidance on Laundering Wildland Fire Clothing to Reduce Contamination

Date: Aug 8, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
 Risk Management Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) and the Risk Management Committee (RMC) have issued Safety Bulletin 25-001: Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing. Recent research revealed that wildland fire flame-resistant pants and shirts can be contaminated with chemicals from combustion byproducts, including carcinogens, and that common laundering practices can effectively remove these harmful contaminants from wildland firefighter clothing more effectively than previously understood. It is recommended to decontaminate wildland fire clothing as frequently as possible. 

Frequently Asked Questions about this new information and how to implement recommendations can be found on the NWCG Alerts page. Read the complete ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Safety Bulletin: 25-001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing

Equipment Technology Committee

Risk Management Committee