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Medical Unit Leader*

MEDL decorative banner: photos depicting MEDL position. MEDL Position Description: The Medical Unit Leader (MEDL) is primarily responsible for developing the Medical Plan, obtaining medical aid and transportation for injured or ill incident personnel, and preparing reports and records. The Medical Unit may also assist Operations in supplying medical care and assistance to civilian casualties at the incident.

The Medical Unit Leader (MEDL) is responsible for ensuring occupational health of all incident personnel, including planning for and coordinating incident emergency response. Incident emergency response often involves MEDL coordination of patient evacuations/extractions from remote areas requiring good knowledge of available resources and their capability. The MEDL reports to the Logistics Section Chief (LSC) or the Safety Officer (SOF) and works in the Logistics functional area.

**A MEDL must maintain a minimum of State Licensure as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Federal Employees who are licensed as an EMT within a Federal Credentialing Process may also serve as a MEDL if authorized by the appropriate Federal Medical Director.

USWDS Paragraphs

Logistics Section Chief (LSC3) Service Branch Director (SVBD) Communications Unit Leader (COML) Incident Communications Technician (COMT) Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM) Medical Unit Leader (MEDL) Food Unit Leader (FDUL) Support Branch Director (SUBD) Supply Unit Leader (SPUL) Ordering Manager (ORDM) Receiving/Distribution Manager (RCDM) Facilities Unit Leader (FACL) Base Camp Manager (BCMG) Ground Support Unit Leader (GSUL) Equipment Manager (EQPM) Security Manager (SECM) Radio Operator (RADO) Logistics Section Chief (LSC2) Logistics Section Chief (LSC1) Logistics Section Chief (LSCC)

The Forest Service and Department of Interior are enabled by Administratively Determined Pay Plans (AD Pay Plans) to hire persons for temporary duration for the following reasons:

  1. To cope with a sudden and unexpected emergency caused by a fire, or extreme fire potential, flood, storm, or any other all-hazard emergency that threatens damage to federally protected property, has the potential to cause loss of life, serious injury, public health risk, or damage to natural or cultural resources unless brought under immediate control.
  2. To provide emergency assistance to States under formalized agreements.
  3. To meet mission assignments issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Incident Business Committee (IBC) reviews positions annually and establishes pay rate classifications for each position.

For more information on the AD Pay Plans, visit Incident Business Committee.

Date: Jan 2024

Updated Positions Qualification Requirements as follows:

Deleted from "MEDL Maintains Currency For These Positions":

  • Service Branch Director (SVBD) 

Updated  "MEDL Maintains Currency For These Positions":

  • None
Date: Jul 2021

Added: Incident Position Description (IPD) approved.

Date: Oct 2011

Updated: MEDL requirements to reflect the current EMT qualification position requirement.

Date: Oct 1984

Position created.

USWDS Paragraph Bundles

Primary Committee: Emergency Medical Committee
Steward: Incident Medical Unit Subcommittee
Key Stakeholder(s): Incident Logistics Subcommittee


Last Modified / Reviewed:

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Great Basin Cache Upgrading to New Inventory System

Date: May 7, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Great Basin Cache
Phone: (208) 387-5104
Fax: (208) 387-5573

The Great Basin Cache (GBK) is transitioning to a new inventory system to better serve the wildland fire community. During this upgrade, GBK will be unable to process standard orders from Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment and Part 2: Publications between May 8-20, 2025, with exceptions made for emergency fire orders. Orders will be accepted through close of business May 7.

To browse the latest available items, please refer to the National Fire Equipment System (NFES) catalogs. 

References:

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment, PMS 449-1

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 2: Publications, PMS 449-2

NEW! Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF) Now Available

Date: May 2, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
National Interagency Aviation Committee

The Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF) provides the Air Operations Branch with the number, type, location, and specific assignments of helicopters and air resources. The new ICS 220 WF also includes medical extraction capabilities and air resources tracking.

Understanding the capabilities of aviation assets is critical for effective medical and extraction responses. Coordination with the Medical Unit Leader is essential to ensure alignment and consistency between the ICS 220 WF and the Medical Plan (ICS 206 WF). 

References:

Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF)

National Interagency Aviation Committee

Incident Command System (ICS) Forms

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Firing Boss, Single Resource

Date: April 30, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105, are now available. 

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators. 

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

 

References:

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105

NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Helicopter Crewmember

Date: April 28, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22, are now available.

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

References:

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22