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Heavy Equipment Technician

Position Description

Introduction

The purpose of this position is to operate a variety of engineering equipment in support of an all-hazard incident.

Duties

  • Operates gasoline or diesel powered engineering and construction equipment with wheeled or crawler type traction such as graders, tractors with bulldozer or angle dozer blades, frontend loaders, backhoes, and large industrial-type tractors with multiple attachments.
  • Supports all-hazard incidents by utilizing heavy equipment to clear trails and roadways, dig drainage ditches, build earthen dikes and levees, and remove trees, and deadfall that present hazards to team members or visitors.
  • Loads, transports, and delivers a variety of materials and equipment to locations within the incident and surrounding area.
  • Cooperates with and assists incident commanders, emergency response teams, police officers, medical services and fire suppression resources requiring heavy equipment support.
  • Operates a variety of government vehicles to perform other non-emergency driving assignments.
  • Utilizes required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and adheres to all safety procedures.
  • Accounts for, utilizes, maintains, and makes minor repairs of all issued equipment.
  • Performs additional tasks or duties as assigned during a mission.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Operates one or more types of heavy equipment to push, pull, pile, or load materials such as sand, gravel, and earth using a front-end loader to maneuver to a specific spot to transfer material into a dump truck, or build temporary earthen structures.
  • Uses a bulldozer to clear brush, tree stumps and rocks from roadways, trails, or staging areas.  Attachments are adjusted for proper level, angle, or depth depending on the kind of work performed.  Work is generally done on flat or rolling terrain, and construction sites with simple terrain problems.
  • Uses different sets of controls, for the operation of equipment and attachments, and is skilled in handling these controls to perform the work.  Controls are often operated simultaneously requiring good hand, foot, and eye coordination.
  • Ability to move the equipment around in confined spaces.
  • Basic knowledge of the nature of soil and features of the terrain are required in order to determine the proper approach according to the condition of the surface and subsurface.

Supervisory Controls

Work is performed under the direction of an Incident Commander or other supervisor, and follows oral or written instructions concerning the location of the job and the work to be done.  Work is performed largely without direct supervision.  Equipment is operated in a safe manner in accordance with safety rules and regulations in order to avoid injury, and damage to the equipment or nearby structures.

Physical Demands

Heavy physical effort is used in constantly reaching, turning, and bending and moving hands, arms, feet, and legs to operate different sets of controls to operate the equipment and attachments. Considerable strain is caused by the constant vibration of the equipment and the jerking and jolting from operating over rough surfaces.

Work Environment

Work is performed in all kinds of weather, day or night, often in an open driver’s seat or platform, on hills, slopes, grades, and rolling surfaces.  Operators are exposed to injury due to the possibility of equipment overturning.  They are exposed to noise, vibration, dust, dirt, and fumes from the motor and exhaust.

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated! L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) Course

Date: October 3, 2024
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is pleased to announce the updated L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) course is now available. L-280 is intended for operational personnel at the Firefighter Type 1 level, and for individuals pursuing Leadership Level 2, New Leader. 

This instructor-led course is a primer on leadership and the second formal course in the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program. It helps emerging leaders build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to lead effectively in high-risk environments. 

For more information about leadership development and available courses, visit the Leadership Committee Web Portal.

References:

L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led)

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

Date: Sept 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use. This advisory recommends all pre-2006 fire shelters should be removed from service by January 1, 2026.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to:

  • Inspect fire shelters immediately
  • Replace and destroy any pre-2006 shelters (identified by white or pink insert label)
  • Order replacements as needed

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory. 

References:

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

NWCG Fire Inspection Flowchart, PMS 411-1

NWCG Alerts

NEW! S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) Now Available

Date: Sept 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee 

The S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB) incident qualifications.

This blended course combines online and instructor-led training to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the FIRB, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105.

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-219, Firing Operations (Blended)

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NWCG Committees Observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Week: September 7-13, 2025

Date: Sep 5, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Mental Health Subcommittee

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) and Risk Management Committee (RMC) recognize the unique challenges and demands faced by the wildland fire community. The MHSC and RMC know that we are all stronger together and believe in fostering a culture of support, understanding, and resilience.

Suicide Prevention Awareness encourages us to actively connect with and support each other. For more information that could make a difference for yourself or someone else please review the materials and resources provided for the 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

References:

2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week Materials and Resources