National Wildfire Coordinating Group

Safety Officer, Line

SOFR decorative banner: photos depicting SOFR position. SOFR Position Description: The Safety Officer (SOFR), a member of the Command Staff, is responsible for monitoring and assessing hazardous and unsafe situations and developing measures for assuring personnel safety. The Safety Officer will correct unsafe acts or conditions through the regular line of authority, although they (Safety Officer) may exercise emergency authority to stop or prevent unsafe acts when immediate action is required. Only one Safety Officer will be assigned for each incident. The Safety Officer may have assistant Safety Officers as necessary, and the assistant Safety Officer may represent assisting agencies or jurisdictions. Assistant Safety Officers may have specific responsibilities, such as air operations, hazardous materials, etc.(SOFR is not a prerequisite to NWCG SOF2.)

SOFR Homepage Button Position Incident Position Description Button Position Reference Materials Button Position Qualification Requirements Button

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flow Chart, PMS 308

SOFR Qualification Requirements

Required Training

Required Experience

  • Satisfactory performance as Strike Team Leader including (STCR, STEQ, STEN)
  • AND Completion and Certification of NWCG Safety Officer, Line (SOFR) Position Task Book, PMS 311-82

OR

  • Satisfactory performance as an Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4)
  • AND Completion and Certification of NWCG Safety Officer, Line (SOFR) Position Task Book, PMS 311-82

Physical Fitness Level: Moderate

Duties involve fieldwork requiring complete control of all physical faculties and may include considerable walking over irregular ground, standing for long periods of time, lifting 25 to 50 pounds, climbing, bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, and reaching. Occasional demands may be required for moderately strenuous activities in emergencies over long periods. Individuals usually set their own work pace.

These Positions Maintain Currency For SOFR

SOFR Maintains Currency For These Positions

Other Training Which Supports Development Of Knowledge And Skills

  • None

Note

The Safety Officer, Line (SOFR) position is not prerequisite to the NWCG Safety Officer Type 2 (SOF2) position. 
 

This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. All-hazards Safety Officers need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.

Alternative Pathways to NWCG Qualification

 

PRINT QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

 

Page Last Modified / Reviewed: 
2023-03-24

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