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Expanded Dispatch Recorder

EDRC Incident Position Description

The Expanded Dispatch Recorder (EDRC) works in an expanded dispatch organization to relieve the host agency’s dispatch unit by focusing exclusively on large or complex incidents. The EDRC reports to the Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher (EDSD) or other assigned supervisor. The EDRC works in the Dispatch functional area.

Leadership Level 1, Follower (Provide Action)

  • For additional information review Level 1 description, expected behaviors and knowledge, suggested development goals, and self-study opportunities.

Prepare and Mobilize

  • Ensure individual readiness.
  • Gather critical information pertinent to the assignment.
  • Travel to and check in at assignment.
  • Check in with incident supervisor and/or dispatch when arriving at the incident.
  • Obtain briefing from previous shift/assignment position as necessary.

Perform Expanded Dispatch Recorder-Specific Duties

  • Perform duties in accordance with local, geographic area, and national policies, procedures, and guides.
  • Review and follow local dispatch standard operating procedures.
  • Use standard terminology, symbols, designators, and acronyms.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of expanded dispatch positions and structure.
  • Process information as directed.
  • Receive and process new requests from the Incident Commander (IC), Ordering Manager (ORDM), EDSP, or other local dispatch personnel.
  • Create new resource orders.
  • Update and validate resources status.
  • Place and/or fill pending requests.
  • Monitor status of orders and report to EDSP and/or ORDM.
  • Release and/or reassign resources.
  • Obtain travel information for mobilizing or demobilizing resources.
  • Confirm orders.

Communicate and Coordinate

  • Follow established processes and chain of command for collecting, producing, and distributing information. 
  • Ensure clear understanding of expectations and timely communication within and across Incident Command System (ICS) functional areas and chain of command.
  • Establish communications and exchange necessary briefings/information with the following:
    • Support resources
    • Adjacent resources/other dispatchers
    • Supervisor
    • Other ICS functional areas
  • Relay pertinent information regarding operational period activities through dispatch logs and/or shift briefings.
  • Demonstrate ability to successfully use communication equipment.
  • Conduct and/or participate in After Action Reviews (AAR).

Manage Risk

  • Monitor for signs and symptoms of fatigue, illness, or injury. Mitigate appropriately.
  • Submit accident/incident reports with pertinent forms (SAFECOM, SAFENET, agency-specific forms) through established chain of command.

Document

  • Complete, authorize, ensure timeliness of, and route as required:
  • Document all requests received.
  • Document placement of requests through established ordering channels.
  • Document mobilization and demobilization information and pass information through established channels.
  • Document reassignment of resource and relay through established channels.

Demobilize

  • Anticipate demobilization, identify excess resources, coordinate with operations to prepare demobilization schedule, and communicate with supervisor.
  • 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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Date: February 18, 2025
Contact: Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program is announcing the 2025 Professional Reading list! The goal of the annual reading list is to promote the reading and discussion of the books throughout the year.

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The Incident Business Committee (IBC) is requesting volunteers for a new task group to revise the 1981 version of the Property Loss or Damage Report, OF 289 and create an incident replacement job aid. The volunteers may be recruited from within or outside the Geographic Area Incident Business Committees.

References:

IBC Memorandum 25-02

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Contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

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These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) are also included.  

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

NWCG Memo: 2025-01 January 2025 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters

Date: January 15, 2025
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters. Non-specification fire shelters claiming to meet Forest Service (FS) fire shelter specification 5100-606 were first found in February of 2023. As of September 2024, non-specification shelters are again being advertised and sold on the open market.

This Safety Warning outlines details and recommended procedures to purchase FS specification shelters made with materials and components that meet performance criteria and toxicity testing requirements outlined in FS Specification 5100-606. 

For additional information on identifying non-specification shelters, please view ETC Safety Warning 23-01.

References:

ETC Safety Warning 25-001: Non-specification fire shelters

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee

ETC Safety Warning 23-01