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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.

 

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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

NEW! Incident Performance and Training Modernization Story Map Now Available

Date: Aug 26, 2025
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National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG is excited to announce the launch of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) Story Map, a new interactive resource that showcases how NWCG is transforming wildland fire training and qualifications through a performance-based system.

Since its launch in 2023, IPTM has made major strides in updating how we manage incident positions:

  • 36 incident positions now have new Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books available for field use
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  • 111 total incident positions are being analyzed through the IPTM initiative

The Story Map guides you through the IPTM process, highlights key accomplishments, and outlines what’s ahead. Whether you are a trainer or a trainee, this tool offers valuable insight into the modernization effort shaping the future of wildland fire training and qualifications.

This effort would not be possible without the contributions of NWCG staff, NWCG committees, and hundreds of subject matter experts across the wildland fire community.

References:

IPTM Story Map

Incident Performance and Training Modernization Webpage

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