Equipment Manager

EQPM Incident Position Description

The Equipment Manager (EQPM) works in the Ground Support Unit on wildland fire incidents and is responsible for completing pre- and post-inspections of assigned vehicles and equipment, providing repair services, and maintaining documentation for inspections and services. The EQPM reports to the Ground Support Unit Leader (GSUL) and works in the Logistics functional area.

Prepare and Mobilize

• Ensure individual readiness.
• Obtain necessary material for kit.
• Obtain assignment information from dispatch.
• Travel to and check in at assignment.
• Check in with incident supervisor and/or dispatch when arriving at the incident.
• Review Incident Action Plan (IAP) and obtain briefing, objectives, and intent from supervisor.

Build the Team

• Assemble and validate readiness of assigned personnel and equipment.
• Coordinate with the GSUL to determine resources on hand. Order additional resources when necessary.
• Establish and maintain positive interpersonal and interagency working relationships.
• Participate in operational briefings as directed.
• Brief assigned personnel.
• Review and understand agreement/contract language and scope of work.

Supervise and Direct Work Assignments

• Communicate objectives, priorities, work assignments, and performance expectations for all assigned resources.
• Identify, analyze, and use relevant situational information to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions.
• Ensure incident objectives and performance standards are met.
• Monitor performance and provide immediate and regular feedback to assigned personnel.

Perform Equipment Manager Position-Specific Duties

• Assign and dispatch vehicle with driver/equipment in accordance with IAP.
• Ensure there are transportation plans/maps for drivers and other equipment operators.
• Coordinate placement of drop point and other determined signage.
• Coordinate with other unit leaders on any equipment and support service needs necessary for the incident.
• Coordinate with Finance/Administration section and GSUL on incident facilities contracts/agreements for services, equipment, and personnel.
• Ensure that Finance/Administration section has necessary inspection documentation for assigned resources.
• Coordinate with GSUL to establish areas for service, weed wash, repair, and fueling.
• Utilize numbering system to track all vehicles and equipment assigned to the incident.
• Complete vehicle and equipment pre- and post-use inspections.
• Determine all initial attack equipment that has not completed inspection. Coordinate with appropriate unit leaders to schedule inspections.
• Adjust work assignments as needed to meet operational support.
• Provide for the safety and welfare of assigned resources.
• Identify environmental and political constraints for service, repair, and fueling areas.
• Determine supplies needed to maintain equipment.
• Serve as a driver to deliver needed supplies and equipment to fireline personnel.
• Coordinate with GSUL to obtain a contractor to provide services that can’t be completed by assigned personnel.

Communicate and Coordinate

• Communicate effectively using multichannel radios. Use plain language and Incident Command System (ICS) terminology.
• Follow established processes and chain of command for collecting, producing, and distributing information.
• Ensure clear understanding of expectations and timely communication within and across ICS functional areas and chain of command.
• Establish communications and exchange necessary briefings/information with the following:
  • Support resources
  • Supervisor
  • Other ICS functional areas
  • Conduct and/or participate in After Action Reviews (AAR).

Manage Risk

• Apply the Risk Management Process as stated in the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461:
  • Identify Hazards
  • Assess Hazards
  • Develop Controls and Make Risk Decisions
  • Implement Controls
  • Supervise and Evaluate
  • Utilize Safety Officers (SOF) to assist with risk management process and provide input into safety of operations.
  • Monitor personnel for signs and symptoms of fatigue, illness, or injury. Mitigate appropriately.
  • Account for location, health, safety, and welfare of assigned personnel.
  • Plan for medical emergencies. Ensure that assigned resources are prepared to execute the Medical Plan (ICS 206 WF). Ensure familiarity with medical responders, communication procedures, and transportation plan. Manage the medical emergency based on procedures stated in the IAP, Medical Incident Report, or other relevant guidelines.

Document

• Complete, authorize, ensure timeliness of, and route as required:
  • General Message (ICS 213)
  • Activity Log (ICS 214)
  • Support Vehicle/Equipment Inventory (ICS 218)
  • Vehicle/Heavy Equipment Safety Inspection Checklist, OF-296
  • Incident Demobilization Vehicle Safety Inspection (ICS 212 WF)
  • Emergency Shift Ticket, OF-297 (Watch: How to Correctly Fill Out The Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket)
  • Emergency Equipment Gas and Oil Issue, OF-304
  • Crew Time Report (CTR), SF-261 (Watch: How to Correctly Fill Out a CTR) and/or Incident Time Report, OF-288 (Watch: How to Correctly Fill Out an Incident Time Report)
  • Agency-specific forms

Demobilize

• Perform demobilization inspections on equipment.
• Coordinate with Demobilization Unit to assign demobilization times for personnel and vehicles, engines, crew carriers, and equipment to avoid congestion of inspection areas.
• Brief assigned resources on demobilization procedures and responsibilities.
• Ensure incident and agency demobilization procedures and work/rest driving standards are followed.
• Return equipment and supplies to appropriate unit.
• Complete demobilization checkout process before being released from the incident.
• Upon demobilization, report status to home unit including reassignment or estimated time of arrival (ETA) to home unit.