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Burned Area Emergency Response Team Leader

Position Description

The purpose of the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessment is to quickly assess the additional risks to people and resources triggered by a fire to determine if emergency preventative or mitigative measures are needed.  The BAER Assessment Team Leader has overall responsibility for the collection, assessment, dissemination and use of information about the post-fire emergency situation and treatment alternatives.  The BAER Assessment Team Leader works directly for the Agency Administrator and supervises an interdisciplinary assessment team consisting of 3 to 30+ people, depending on complexity of the situation.

Duties

  • Obtains briefing from agency administrator.
  • Determines strategy for conducting the assessment and establish action priorities.
  • Develops an Incident Action Plan which includes job hazard analyzes and safety plan, organization, equipment needs, communications, and plans for demobilization.
  • Establishes appropriate organization to efficiently and effectively conduct BAER assessment.
  • Obtains personnel and support resources (work space, vehicles, communication equipment, computer hardware, food & lodging for incumbents, maps, imagery (BARC map) etc).
  • Conducts daily planning meetings.
  • Maintains open communication with agency administrator and fire suppression IC organization.
  • Leads assessment team in identifying BAER critical values, evaluating risk and developing potential treatment measures.
  • Briefs agency administrator on recommended treatment measures and secure approval.
  • Prepares and submits an acceptable Emergency Stabilization Plan and Burned Area Report within seven-day timeframe.  This includes description of emergency situation(s), prescribed treatment measures and specifications, and proposed effectiveness monitoring plan.
  • Keeps an accurate accounting of all costs associated with burned area survey.
  • Provides detailed records of burned area survey to those responsible for implementing proposed treatments.
  • Coordinates with adjacent landowners and other agency officials regarding post-fire emergency response.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Interpersonal skills to communicate verbally and in writing with local and state officials.
  • Knowledge of emergency stabilization program policy and objectives, completion of FS of Interagency BAER team leader course and/or prior experience as a BAER assessment team leader.
  • When fire is uncontained – work capacity fitness level of light, annual fire line safety refresher, S-190, S-130, communications and radio training.
  • IS-700 NIMS:  An Introduction.
  • IS-800 National Response Plan.

NWCG Latest Announcements

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

Date: June 3, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The Emergency Medical Committee has issued interim guidance for Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) teams. Until further notice, Type I and II REMS teams must designate a team leader qualified at Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1) or higher. This temporary change replaces the Single Resource Boss (SRB) requirement, which is currently not feasible due to administrative barriers.

This memorandum does not include any other changes to the NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552. This interim change takes effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

References:

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

Equipment Bulletin 25-002: Chaps, Chain Saw, M-2020, Nonconformities Affecting Use, Appearance, and Serviceability

Date: June 2, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee issued Equipment Bulletin: 25-002 to address a manufacturing nonconformity affecting Forest Service specification, 6170-4K Chain Saw Chaps. The issue applies to chaps manufactured in 2024 and 2025 and distributed through FedMall. These chaps may have incorrectly bound edges that expose inner protective layers.

Independent purchasers should inspect all chain saw chaps received from FedMall beginning in 2024, prior to use. Review the full Equipment Bulletin: 25-002 for inspection criteria and recommended actions.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-002

2024 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service Awards

Date: May 22, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service Awards. Each year, EMC recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated exceptional actions or accomplishments that go above and beyond their normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety and well-being of the wildland fire community. These honors are well deserved.

References:

2024 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

NWCG Emergency Medical Committee

NWCG Welcomes the Incident Management Teams Association as an Associate Member

Date: May 21, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
https://www.nwcg.gov/contact-us

The NWCG Executive Board is honored to announce that the Incident Management Teams Association (IMTA) has joined the National Wildfire Coordinating Group as an associate member.

IMTA is a dedicated group of incident management professionals committed to enhancing the profession by promoting standards and fostering collaboration across federal, state, local, Tribal, and private sector partners throughout all phases of incident management.

“Joining NWCG aligns with our mission to elevate incident management professionals nationwide,” said Dr. Randal Collins, President of IMTA. “This is a proud moment for all of us committed to advancing public safety.”

References:

Incident Management Teams Association

National Wildfire Coordinating Group