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Field Observer

Position Description

Duties

  • Obtains briefing from Situation Unit Leader or work supervisor.
  • Obtains materials, transportation, and communications.
  • Performs general field observations and maintain field map.
    • Determines and records incident perimeter and identify potential changes.
    • Determines appropriate and safe travel routes.
    • Determines areas threatened.
    • Monitors weather changes and reports appropriately.
    • Anticipates, characterizes, and reports the range of variability of fire effects.
    • Identifies and reports hazardous situations and problem areas.
    • Identifies and reports safety zones.
    • Reports progress of operations and logistical support.
    • Maps current and potential facilities, such as drop points, water sources, and helispots.
  • Reports hazardous situations.
    • Immediately reports hazardous, life threatening situations to appropriate incident management personnel.
  • Monitors and records weather conditions.
    • Selects suitable weather sampling site(s).
    • Records temperature.
    • Calculates relative humidity.
    • Measures wind speed and direction.
    • Completes weather observation form.
    • Submits weather observations or forms as directed by supervisor.
  • Monitors incident situation.
    • Monitors, records, and reports fire behavior
      characteristics:
      • Flame lengths
      • Rate of spread
      • Smoke indicators
      • Fuel models/conditions
    • Monitors, records, and immediately reports extreme fire behavior.
  • Safety.
    • Takes immediate corrective actions as conditions may warrant.
    • Adheres to agency specific and incident appropriate safety standards while performing all tasks.
  • Reports field data.
  • Maps and overlays production.
  • Maintains incident history on maps and narratives as required.
  • Provides documentation of situation unit activities.
  • Confirms demobilization instructions with supervisor.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Qualified in one Strike Team Leader position
    OR
  • Qualified in two Single Resource Boss positions (one must be CRWB or ENGB), and ICT4

Last Modified / Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

New Job Aids Available: Packing Lists for Wildland Fire Fireline Personnel and Support Staff, J-101 and J-102

Date: December 3, 2024
Contact: NWCG TRAINING

Two new job aids are now available: Packing List for Wildland Fire Fireline Personnel, J-101 and Packing List for Wildland Fire Support Personnel, J-102, should serve as a baseline for items needed on a wildland fire assignment. These lists will help personnel prepare for a 14 to 21-day assignment on the fireline or in a support role.

References:

Job Aid Catalog

NWCG Packing List for Wildland Fire Fireline Personnel, J-101

NWCG Packing List for Wildland Fire Support Staff, J-102

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Date: November 14, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention. Misaligned toolless fuel caps on Stihl chainsaws have led to recurring fuel spillage, fuel ignition, and burn injuries during wildland fire management operations.

This Safety Warning is intended to highlight the details and recommended procedures for the installation of a Stihl chainsaw toolless fuel cap, as well as how to identify and correct a misaligned, damaged, or broken fuel cap to help prevent fuel spillage.

References:

NWCG Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Advertencia de equipos 24-001: Prevención de derrames de la tapa de combustible sin herramientas de la motosierra Stihl

NWCG Alerts

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51 and NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for EQTR, 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.

References:

NWCG Equipment Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51

NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53 and NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for PTRC, 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.

References:

NWCG Personnel Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53

NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53