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Field Observer

FOBS decorative banner: photos depicting FOBS position. FOBS Position Description: The Field Observer (FOBS) is responsible for collecting incident status information from personal observations at the incident and providing this information to the Situation Unit Leader (SITL) , Division Supervisor (DIVS), and other fireline resources as directed. The information may include but is not limited to, fire perimeter location, onsite weather, fire behavior, fuel conditions, and fire effects information needed to assess firefighter safety and whether the fire is achieving established incident objectives and requirements.

The Field Observer (FOBS) is responsible for collecting incident status information from personal observations at the incident and providing this information to the Situation Unit Leader (SITL), Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN), Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS), Safety Officer (SOF), and other fireline resources as directed. The information may include fire perimeter location, on-site weather, smoke monitoring, fire behavior, fuel conditions, and fire effects information needed to assess firefighter safety and whether the fire is achieving established incident objectives and requirements. The FOBS typically works for the SITL in the Planning functional area.

USWDS Paragraphs

Planning Section Chief (PSC3) Resources Unit Leader (RESL) Status/Check-in Recorder (SCKN) Situation Unit Leader (SITL) Field Observer (FOBS) Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO) Infrared Interpreter (IRIN) Display Processor (DPRO) Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) Strategic Operational Planner (SOPL) Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN) Geographic Information System Specialist (GISS) Document Unit Leader (DOCL) Demobilization Leader (DMOB) Interagency Resource Representative (IARR) Human Resource Specialist (HRSP) Incident Training Specialist (TNSP) Planning Section Chief (PSC2) Planning Section Chief (PSC1) Planning Section Chief (PSCC)

 

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: Jun 2021

Added: Incident Position Description (IPD) approved.

Date: Jun 2009

Updated: FEMO and FOBS Position Task Books were combined into one Position Task Book (311-30)  but the positions have not been combined. Specific direction is in the transition plan which can be found on the NWCG Publication Management System (Qualifications) web site: PMS 310-1 Historical Documents.

Date: Oct 1984

Position created.

USWDS Paragraph Bundles

Primary Committee: Incident and Position Standards Committee
Steward: Incident Planning Subcommittee


Last Modified / Reviewed:

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Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for RADO and INCM

Date: July 30, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
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The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization 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.

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Date: July 29, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
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The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) issued Equipment Bulletin: 25-004, notifying the wildland fire community about a newly discovered invasive species and actions to take if found. Golden mussels, a highly invasive species recently identified in California, pose a significant risk to native ecosystems, infrastructure, and fire equipment. These mussels rapidly colonize hard and soft surfaces, including aquatic plants and fire equipment, clogging pipes, fouling motors, disrupting water systems, and impacting native species.

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Read the complete ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004 to learn more. 

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ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004

NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444

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Questions?  Please contact:
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The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization 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.

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Questions?  Please contact:
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The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization 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 Airtanker Base Manager Position Page

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