Driver/Operator

Introduction

Operates pickup trucks, carryalls, automobiles, jeeps, station wagons, etc, having a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) up to 10,000 pounds to transport cargo and passengers to and from incident sites and other locations. Vehicles may have up to four forward gears and are equipped with the normal array of driving controls.

Duties

Operates assigned vehicles on and off roads, through all kinds of traffic, terrain (e.g., from highway and interstate speeds to narrow mountainous roads), and weather to transport cargo or passengers.
Loads and unloads the vehicles and ensures that cargo is properly and safely loaded, protected, and secured.
Ensures proper operator maintenance, vehicle servicing, and record keeping (e.g., completes trip ticket forms following each assignment).
Delivers personnel, supplies and equipment to and from the fireline, base, spike camps, and airports.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

Must possess a valid operator’s license.
Basic knowledge of any governing Federal and State highway laws.
Ability to operate assigned vehicles under a variety of conditions (e.g., interstate highways, urban and rural areas, mountainous terrain, adverse weather conditions during the day and night).
Ability to successfully complete respective license renewal requirements (e.g., non-sensitive background check, written and skills tests, medical/physical examinations).

Supervisory Controls

The supervisor provides individual assignments by indicating generally what is to be done, limitations, quality and quantity expected, deadlines, and priority of assignments.

The incumbent uses initiative in carrying out previously performed assignments independently without specific instructions. Deviations from these types of assignments, problems, or aspects of unusual assignments not covered by general instructions are referred to the supervisor for decision or assistance.

The supervisor assures that finished work and methods used are technically accurate and in compliance with instructions.

Guidelines

Procedures for performing the work have been established and, for the most part, specific guidelines are available.

The number and similarity of guidelines and work situations require the incumbent to use judgment in selecting the most appropriate procedure(s) or approach in specific cases (e.g., when enroute, or when overseeing or loading of cargo).

Situations to which the existing guidelines cannot be applied are referred to the supervisor.

Complexity

The work consists of various clear-cut related duties. Generally, the incumbent has little choice in deciding what needs to be done due to the existence of the previously established, specific guidelines and procedures.

Decisions regarding what needs to be done require the incumbent to recognize the differences between a few easily recognizable situations.

Actions to be taken differ according to the differences between the various specific tasks to be performed.

Scope and Effect

The work involves the execution of specific routine procedures.

The service provided facilitates the work of others.

Personal Contacts

Contacts are generally with incumbents of the same work unit (i.e., those incumbents associated with the incident).

Purpose of Contacts

The purpose of contacts is to obtain, clarify, or give facts or information about the assignment.

Physical Demands

The work requires some physical exertion such as required for over-the-road assignments, and some lifting of moderately heavy items.

Work Environment

The work environment involves moderate risks and discomfort.

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases New Equipment Bulletins

Date: September 27, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released three new Equipment Bulletins:

ETC-EB-24-003 Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers.
ETC-EB-24-004 Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeeping current inventories.
ETC-EB-24-005 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance.

These bulletins remind field going personnel of important issues related to equipment for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-24-003 Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers

ETC-EB-24-004 Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeeping current inventories

ETC-EB-24-005 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance

The Experiential Learning Subcommittee is looking for your feedback on Staff Rides

Date: September 20, 2024
Contact: Ashleigh D'Antonio and George Risko, Leadership Committee

The Experiential Learning Subcommittee needs to hear from the field about where the greatest need lies regarding staff rides and their accessibility.

Do you have an event you would like to turn into a learning experience?
Do you have a staff ride built, but are struggling to implement the delivery?
Do you need help building capacity?
What other ideas do you have to support experiential leadership training?

Fill out this short survey below to help us help you.

References:

Staff Rides: Feedback

Staff Rides

Updated NWCG Single Resource Casual Hire Information, PMS 934

Date: September 19, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

The Incident Business Committee has updated the NWCG Single Resource Casual Hire Information, PMS 934. This update expands the provisions for hiring emergency personnel.

References:

NWCG Single Resource Casual Hire Information, PMS 934

IBC Memorandum 24-03

NWCG 2024 Spring/Summer Highlights

Date: September 13, 2024

Welcome to our latest highlights from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, where we explore the latest updates, insights, and efforts that develop interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners.

The Performance Support Package, which for ABRO includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

NASA JOINS NWCG!

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is officially an associate member of NWCG. As such, NASA is beginning to collaborate with wildland fire management agencies with the goal of increasing collaboration across agencies and leveraging NASA data, technology, and innovation for nation-wide efforts in wildland fire management. NASA has a rich history of research, development, and technology transfer in the areas of Earth science, space technologies, and aeronautics that support the NWCG mission.

WWW.NWCG.GOV HAS A NEW LOOK AND DESIGN

The NWCG web team dedicated the past two years to making a significant upgrade to the www.nwcg.gov site. This upgrade involved a comprehensive redesign of over 7,700 web pages.

The modernization of NWCG’s website involved migrating to Drupal 10, a cutting—edge content management system, and leveraging Amazon Web Service GovCloud for secure and efficient hosting. These upgrades help ensure that the NWCG website remains current in content management practices, offering enhanced customization, improved performance, and an overall superior user experience.

NWCG Leadership Committee

The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program announced the Professional Reading Program’s 2024 list!

The years books include:

Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean
The Wisdom of the Bullfrog by William H. McRaven
The Art of Clear Thinking by Hasard Lee
Emotional Agility by Susan David
Writing to Persuade by Trish Hall

Learn more at the NWCG Leadership Committee

INCIDENT PERFORMANCE AND TRAINING MODERNIZATION

In 2023, NWCG kicked off the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. A training system overhaul focused on developing a performance-based training system designed to shift training to on-the-job when appropriate.

Over the next five years, NWCG intends to analyze all positions within the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1. To date we are currently working on 30 incident positions, and planning for 20+ in calendar year 2025.

Subject Matter Experts from a variety of geographical areas and agencies recently completed the position analysis for 16 positions. From this analysis, Incident Positions Standards and a Next Generation Position Task Book will be developed for each position.

Incident Performance and Training Modernization

NEXT GENERATION POSITION TASK BOOK

In April 2024, NWCG launched the new Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB) which is a key component of the IPTM effort. This revised evaluation tool is designed to work in conjunction with the newly developed Incident Position Standards.

Major Next Gen PTB changes:

Structured to improve constructive conversations between evaluators and trainees.
Reference new Incident Position Standards.
Include only tasks required to be evaluated for successful performance.
Trainees will be rated on their performance vs. initialing whether a task was completed.
Must include written feedback when trainee does not meet the standard.
Will be position specific (no combined PTBs).

Screen shot of the Next Gen Position Task Book

Banner image of the Wildland Fire Learning Portal website

NWCG’s training course catalog is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP).

To access the training course catalog, visit WFLP and either set up an account or login as a guest.

Driver/Operator

Introduction

Duties

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

Supervisory Controls

Guidelines

Complexity

Scope and Effect

Personal Contacts

Purpose of Contacts

Physical Demands

Work Environment

NWCG Latest Announcements

References:

References:

References:

NASA JOINS NWCG!

WWW.NWCG.GOV HAS A NEW LOOK AND DESIGN

NWCG Leadership Committee

INCIDENT PERFORMANCE AND TRAINING MODERNIZATION

NEXT GENERATION POSITION TASK BOOK

NWCG National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group