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Strike Team Leader Military

Position Description

Duties

  • Ensures resources have all equipment and supplies required to meet tactical assignment.
    • 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 assess values to be protected and assign resources.
  • 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.
  • When at assigned work location, briefs and assigns tasks to resources based on IAP objectives, division/group assignments, and resource capabilities following NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461 format.
    • Briefs Single Resource Bosses using information from IAP.
      • IAP objectives and division/group control assignments.
      • Work standards, expectations, and Incumbent Code of Conduct.
      • Weather (in conjunction with IAP).
      • Communication (in conjunction with IAP).
      • Expected fire behavior.
      • Explains 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 supervisors, based on your briefing and work expectations.
    • Conducts personal observations based on your 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 task(s) during operational period.
    • Identifies needs for corrections in work tasks to meet objectives and preserve safety.
    • Identifies fatigue producing factors and take 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.).
      • Takes action to correct.
    • Determines assistance, logistical support, and replacements required to implement correction action. Evaluates recommendations from subordinate supervisors; i.e., split assignment with another division.
    • Assigns qualified personnel to scout line in critical areas.
  • Uses tactics applied to structure protection.
    • Sizes up the situation and identify associated risks for current assignment utilizing the IRPG.
      • Identifies appropriate tactics for current resources.
      • Requests specialized resources if applicable.
    • Safely and effectively utilizes the resources available based on capabilities and limitations.
  • Completes 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.
  • Obtain briefing from supervisor.
  • Plan tactical action on assigned area based on objectives of IAP.
  • Brief relief resource on progress, reference points and hazards or special considerations.
  • Establish communication links.
  • Determine and obtain logistics needs for assigned personnel while in staging.
  • Brief supervisor and IARR on staging area arrangements and procedures.
  • Confirm demobilization instructions with supervisor and brief subordinates.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Qualified Strike Team Leader, Crew (STCR)

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 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, etc. Temperatures 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. Personnel must adjust and cope with exposure to weather elements, dust and smoke, poor sleeping and eating conditions and unpredictable sets of circumstances. 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 (PPE) be worn (boots, hardhat, gloves, flame resistant clothing, etc.) Work may require travel by light fixed wing or rotor wing aircraft.

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Date: January 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) and Incident Performance Training Modernization (IPTM) are also included.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

IPSC Memo 26-01: January 2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Incident Business Committee Memo 26-01: Updated Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297

Date: January 22, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Business Committee

The Incident Business Committee (IBC) has released Memorandum 26-01: OF 297 and 2026 Fire Use. This memo informs the wildland fire community that the updated Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 is available for download and can be ordered through the Great Basin Cache.

Beginning January 15, 2026 the previous version of the OF 297 form has been discontinued.

For further details, please contact your IBC representative.

References:

Incident Business Committee Memorandum 26-01

Great Basin Cache

NEW! S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 22, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the new S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal.

This third course in the series combines online and instructor-led training components aimed at individuals who are involved in planning, managing, and executing wildland fire and prescribed burn operations; who require a thorough understanding of fire behavior calculations to enhance effectiveness and safety. This includes students who require the knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of a Type 3 Incident Commander (ICT3), Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS), or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2).

Students are required to be qualified as any Single Resource Boss position and complete the prerequisite S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire behavior (Blended) course, before enrolling in S-390.

References:

S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 18, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended) is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal!

This blended course combines online learning with instructor-led training, designed for individuals seeking to build leadership skills and gain experience in incident management.

Students are required to complete the prerequisite trainings ICS-100, Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS), ICS-200, Basic ICS for Initial Response, and ICS-700, An Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) prior to attending S-320.

References:

S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal