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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 Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG) 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

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