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Equipment Manager

EQPM Incident Position Description

The Equipment Manager (EQPM) works in the Ground Support Unit on wildland fire incidents and is responsible for completing pre- and post-inspections of assigned vehicles and equipment, providing repair services, and maintaining documentation for inspections and services. The EQPM reports to the Ground Support Unit Leader (GSUL) and works in the Logistics functional area.

Leadership Level 2, New Leader (Convey Intent)

  • For additional information review Level 2 description, expected behaviors and knowledge, suggested development goals, and self-study opportunities.

Prepare and Mobilize

  • Ensure individual readiness.
  • Obtain necessary material for kit.
  • Obtain assignment information from dispatch.
  • Travel to and check in at assignment.
  • Check in with incident supervisor and/or dispatch when arriving at the incident.
  • Review Incident Action Plan (IAP) and obtain briefing, objectives, and intent from supervisor.

Build the Team

  • Assemble and validate readiness of assigned personnel and equipment.
  • Coordinate with the GSUL to determine resources on hand. Order additional resources when necessary.
  • Establish and maintain positive interpersonal and interagency working relationships.
  • Participate in operational briefings as directed.
  • Brief assigned personnel.
  • Review and understand agreement/contract language and scope of work.

Supervise and Direct Work Assignments

  • Communicate objectives, priorities, work assignments, and performance expectations for all assigned resources.
  • Identify, analyze, and use relevant situational information to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions.
  • Ensure incident objectives and performance standards are met.
  • Monitor performance and provide immediate and regular feedback to assigned personnel.

Perform Equipment Manager Position-Specific Duties

  • Assign and dispatch vehicle with driver/equipment in accordance with IAP.
  • Ensure there are transportation plans/maps for drivers and other equipment operators.
  • Coordinate placement of drop point and other determined signage.
  • Coordinate with other unit leaders on any equipment and support service needs necessary for the incident.
  • Coordinate with Finance/Administration section and GSUL on incident facilities contracts/agreements for services, equipment, and personnel.
  • Ensure that Finance/Administration section has necessary inspection documentation for assigned resources.
  • Coordinate with GSUL to establish areas for service, weed wash, repair, and fueling.
  • Utilize numbering system to track all vehicles and equipment assigned to the incident.
  • Complete vehicle and equipment pre- and post-use inspections.
  • Determine all initial attack equipment that has not completed inspection. Coordinate with appropriate unit leaders to schedule inspections.
  • Adjust work assignments as needed to meet operational support.
  • Provide for the safety and welfare of assigned resources.
  • Identify environmental and political constraints for service, repair, and fueling areas.
  • Determine supplies needed to maintain equipment.
  • Serve as a driver to deliver needed supplies and equipment to fireline personnel.
  • Coordinate with GSUL to obtain a contractor to provide services that can’t be completed by assigned personnel.

Communicate and Coordinate

  • Communicate effectively using multichannel radios. Use plain language and Incident Command System (ICS) terminology.
  • Follow established processes and chain of command for collecting, producing, and distributing information.
  • Ensure clear understanding of expectations and timely communication within and across ICS functional areas and chain of command.
  • Establish communications and exchange necessary briefings/information with the following:
    • Support resources
    • Supervisor
    • Other ICS functional areas
    • Conduct and/or participate in After Action Reviews (AAR).

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
    • Utilize Safety Officers (SOF) to assist with risk management process and provide input into safety of operations.
    • Monitor personnel for signs and symptoms of fatigue, illness, or injury. Mitigate appropriately.
    • Account for location, health, safety, and welfare of assigned personnel.
    • Plan for medical emergencies. Ensure that assigned resources are prepared to execute the Medical Plan (ICS 206 WF). Ensure familiarity with medical responders, communication procedures, and transportation plan. Manage the medical emergency based on procedures stated in the IAP, Medical Incident Report, or other relevant guidelines.

Document

Demobilize

  • Perform demobilization inspections on equipment.
  • Coordinate with Demobilization Unit to assign demobilization times for personnel and vehicles, engines, crew carriers, and equipment to avoid congestion of inspection areas.
  • Brief assigned resources on demobilization procedures and responsibilities.
  • Ensure incident and agency demobilization procedures and work/rest driving standards are followed.
  • Return equipment and supplies to appropriate unit.
  • Complete demobilization checkout process before being released from the incident.
  • Upon demobilization, report status to home unit including reassignment or estimated time of arrival (ETA) to home unit.
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NWCG Latest Announcements

Great Basin Cache Upgrading to New Inventory System

Date: May 7, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Great Basin Cache
Phone: (208) 387-5104
Fax: (208) 387-5573

The Great Basin Cache (GBK) is transitioning to a new inventory system to better serve the wildland fire community. During this upgrade, GBK will be unable to process standard orders from Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment and Part 2: Publications between May 8-20, 2025, with exceptions made for emergency fire orders. Orders will be accepted through close of business May 7.

To browse the latest available items, please refer to the National Fire Equipment System (NFES) catalogs. 

References:

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment, PMS 449-1

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 2: Publications, PMS 449-2

NEW! Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF) Now Available

Date: May 2, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
National Interagency Aviation Committee

The Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF) provides the Air Operations Branch with the number, type, location, and specific assignments of helicopters and air resources. The new ICS 220 WF also includes medical extraction capabilities and air resources tracking.

Understanding the capabilities of aviation assets is critical for effective medical and extraction responses. Coordination with the Medical Unit Leader is essential to ensure alignment and consistency between the ICS 220 WF and the Medical Plan (ICS 206 WF). 

References:

Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF)

National Interagency Aviation Committee

Incident Command System (ICS) Forms

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Firing Boss, Single Resource

Date: April 30, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105, are now available. 

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators. 

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

 

References:

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105

NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Helicopter Crewmember

Date: April 28, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22, are now available.

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

References:

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22