Radio Operator

RADO decorative banner: photos depicting RADO position. RADO Position Description: The Radio Operator (RADO) works in the Communications Unit, under the Logistics Section. The immediate supervisor for the Radio Operator is the Incident Communications Center Manager who manages the Incident Communications Center (ICC). In the absence of an Incident Communications Center Manager, the Communications Unit Leader will supervise the Radio Operator position. The Communications Technician also works in the Communications Unit. Often the Communications Technician requests assistance from the Radio Operator to help clone and check out radios.

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The Radio Operator (RADO) is responsible for receiving and transmitting radio and telephone messages between incident personnel, providing dispatch services at the incident, and documenting pertinent radio/phone traffic for the incident. The RADO reports to the Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM) or the Communications Unit Leader (COML) and works in the Logistics functional area.

Incident Communications Technician (COMT) Radio Operator (RADO) Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM) Communications Unit Leader (COML) Medical Unit Leader (MEDL) Food Unit Leader (FDUL) Service Branch Director (SVBD) Ordering Manager (ORDM) Receiving/Distribution Manager (RCDM) Supply Unit Leader (SPUL) Base/Camp Manager (BCMG) Facilities Unit Leader (FACL) Equipment Manager (EQPM) Ground Support Unit Leader (GSUL) Security Manager (SECM) Support Branch Director (SUBD) LOGISTICS SECTION CHIEF (LSC1/2) 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)

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, go to https://www.nwcg.gov/committees/incident-business-committee

Date: 
Apr 2021

Incident Position Description (IPD) approved.


Date: 
Oct 2019

Added to Required Training Annual Fireline Safety Refresher (RT-130).


Date: 
Mar 1999

Position created.

 

Page Last Modified / Reviewed: 
2021-04-05
Primary Committee: 
Incident and Position Standards Committee
Steward: 
Incident Logistics Subcommittee
Key Stakeholder (s): 
National Coordination System Committee

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