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Strategic Operational Planner

SOPL Incident Position Description

The Strategic Operational Planner (SOPL) is responsible for developing the course of action on long-term wildfire events. The SOPL may be ordered by and work for the host unit, the Geographic Area Coordination Center (GACC), or an Incident Management Team (IMT). The SOPL may work in the Planning, Operations, or Command functional areas, or separate from the IMT with the Agency Administrator (AA), Fire Management Officer (FMO), local fire management organization, or entity that orders the SOPL.

Leadership Level 3, Leader of People (Develop Intent)

  • For additional information review Level 3 description, expected behaviors and knowledge, suggested development goals, and self-study opportunities.

Prepare and Mobilize

  • Ensure individual readiness.
  • Review agency procedures, policies, and regulations for managing wildland fire to achieve land use objectives as related to the position.
  • Obtain complete information from dispatch upon assignment.
  • Obtain roles and permissions in the Wildland Fire Decision Support System (WFDSS) necessary to review relevant decision components for a wildfire incident as requested by the host unit.

Perform Strategic Operational Planner-Specific Duties

  • Obtain information from supervisor, duty officer, AA, dispatch, or Incident Commander (IC) about the incident and WFDSS document.
  • Establish the organizational role of the SOPL in relation to assigned personnel, local fire management organization, IC, and/or AA.
  • Adhere to local policies for ordering, use, and release of resources.
  • Identify jurisdictional boundaries and which authorities/agencies should be involved, including strategic objectives and management requirements for relevant Fire Management Units within the planning area.
  • Evaluate short- and long-term fire behavior predictions, fire weather, and fire behavior assessments, and interpret results to support decision-making.  Brief appropriate approving officials.
  • Develop the Course of Action for a long-term wildfire incident.
  • Coordinate with local Resource Advisor (READ) or other designated agency representative and identify issues regarding regulatory environmental compliance and mitigation to ensure concerns are adequately addressed in the Course of Action.
  • Evaluate consistency between strategic objectives and management requirements as stated in the WFDSS and objectives for the incident.
  • Evaluate existing Course of Action to determine if identified resource and protection objectives can be met through plan implementation.
  • Recommend modifications as needed to the Course of Action as conditions warrant/change.
  • Develop recommended management actions consistent with the wilderness, natural and cultural resource values, agency policy, and local land management plans.
  • Develop cost estimates for individual Management Action Points within the proposed Course of Action.
  • Utilize risk assessments for the incident based on values, hazards, and probability.
  • Utilize risk assessment information in developing Course of Action.
  • Consider and document hazards and mitigations in the development of Course of Action.
  • Follow the Risk Management Process in the development of the Management Actions within the Course of Action.
  • Identify special areas of concern and describe management actions to address concerns.

Communicate and Coordinate

  • Establish and maintain positive interpersonal and interagency working relationships.
  • Participate in briefings as necessary.
  • Participate in incident closeout.
  • Establish and maintain on-going communication on the incident as necessary.
  • Participate in After Action Reviews (AARs).

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
  • Ensure Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones (LCES) are established and known to all firefighters before they are needed. Refer to guidelines stated in IRPG.
  • Use Look Up, Down and Around in IRPG to help maintain situation awareness. Adjust actions accordingly. Develop and communicate contingency plans and trigger points.

Document

Demobilize

  • Coordinate an efficient transfer of position duties:
    • Ensure continuity of operations
    • Exchange critical safety information
    • Communicate transfer of authority through established chain of command
  • Complete the demobilization checkout process before being released from the incident.
  • Upon demobilization, report your status to your home unit, including a reassignment or the estimated time of arrival (ETA) to your home unit.

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NWCG Latest Announcements

ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 New Guidance on Laundering Wildland Fire Clothing to Reduce Contamination

Date: Aug 8, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
 Risk Management Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) and the Risk Management Committee (RMC) have issued Safety Bulletin 25-001: Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing. Recent research revealed that wildland fire flame-resistant pants and shirts can be contaminated with chemicals from combustion byproducts, including carcinogens, and that common laundering practices can effectively remove these harmful contaminants from wildland firefighter clothing more effectively than previously understood. It is recommended to decontaminate wildland fire clothing as frequently as possible. 

Frequently Asked Questions about this new information and how to implement recommendations can be found on the NWCG Alerts page. Read the complete ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Safety Bulletin: 25-001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing

Equipment Technology Committee

Risk Management Committee

FAQ Now Available for Archiving Type 1 and Type 2 Incident Positions

Date: Aug 6, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Incident and Position Standards Committee

To support the transition to Complex Incident Management (CIM), NWCG will archive all Type 1 and Type 2 Command and General Staff (C&G) position qualifications in January 2026, as outlined in NWCG Executive Board Memo 25-002. To assist with this transition, a new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document is now available.

This resource answers common questions about the status of Type 1 and Type 2 qualifications, impacts to incident qualification management, training requirements, and resource ordering considerations. Review the full FAQ to learn more.

For additional information on CIM and the transition of C&G positions, see NWCG Executive Board Memos 23-005, 24-005, and 25-002, as well as the Incident Workforce and Development Group webpage.

References:

NWCG Type 1 & Type 2 Position Archiving FAQ

NWCG Executive Board Correspondence

Incident Workforce Development Group

Incident and Position Standards Committee

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for UASD, UASM, UASL and UASP

Date: July 31, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for all four Unmanned Aircraft Systems positions:

  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist (UASD)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager (UASM)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader (UASL)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot (UASP)

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 Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot Position Page

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

Date: July 30, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Incident Logistics Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Radio Operator (RADO) and Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM).

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 Radio Operator Position Page

NWCG Incident Communications Center Manager Position Page