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Ground Support Unit Leader*

GSUL decorative banner: photos depicting GSUL position. GSUL Position Description: The Ground Support Unit Leader (GSUL) is responsible for transporting personnel, supplies, food, and equipment; fueling, servicing, maintaining, and repairing vehicles and other ground support equipment; supporting out-of-service resources; and developing and implementing the Incident Transportation Plan.

The Ground Support Unit Leader (GSUL) is responsible for managing, organizing, and supervising the Ground Support Unit on wildland fire incidents and provides support functions for transportation, fuel, and equipment repairs to all sections on the incident. The GSUL supervises Equipment Manager(s) (EQPM), contractors, and driver(s) and reports to the Logistics Section Chief (LSC) or Support Branch Director (SUBD). The GSUL works in the Logistics functional area.

USWDS Paragraphs

Logistics Section Chief (LSC3) Service Branch Director (SVBD) Communications Unit Leader (COML) Incident Communications Technician (COMT) Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM) Medical Unit Leader (MEDL) Food Unit Leader (FDUL) Support Branch Director (SUBD) Supply Unit Leader (SPUL) Ordering Manager (ORDM) Receiving/Distribution Manager (RCDM) Facilities Unit Leader (FACL) Base Camp Manager (BCMG) Ground Support Unit Leader (GSUL) Equipment Manager (EQPM) Security Manager (SECM) Radio Operator (RADO) Logistics Section Chief (LSC2) Logistics Section Chief (LSC1) Logistics Section Chief (LSCC)

The Forest Service and Department of Interior are enabled by Administratively Determined Pay Plans (AD Pay Plans) to hire persons for temporary duration for the following reasons:

  1. To cope with a sudden and unexpected emergency caused by a fire, or extreme fire potential, flood, storm, or any other all-hazard emergency that threatens damage to federally protected property, has the potential to cause loss of life, serious injury, public health risk, or damage to natural or cultural resources unless brought under immediate control.
  2. To provide emergency assistance to States under formalized agreements.
  3. To meet mission assignments issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Incident Business Committee (IBC) reviews positions annually and establishes pay rate classifications for each position.

For more information on the AD Pay Plans, visit Incident Business Committee.

Date: Jan 2024

Updated Positions Qualification Requirements as follows: 

Deleted from  "These Positions Maintain Currency For GSUL":

  • Service Branch Director (SVBD)
  • Support Branch Director (SUBD)

Deleted from " GSUL Maintains Currency For These Positions":

  • Support Branch Director (SUBD)
Date: Jan 2023

Added:

  • Logistics Section Chief Complex (LSCC) to These Positions Maintain Currency For GSUL
  • Logistics Section Chief Complex (LSCC) to GSUL Maintains Currency For These Positions
Date: Apr 2021

Added: Incident Position Description (IPD) approved.

Date: Oct 2019

Added: to Qualification Requirements:  Note: Once qualified as a GSUL, the LSC3 qualification may be granted by the certifying official. Certification must be documented on a “verification/certification” page of the LSC3 Position Task Book (311-35).

Date: Oct 1984

Position created.

USWDS Paragraph Bundles

Primary Committee: Incident and Position Standards Committee
Steward: Incident Logistics Subcommittee


Last Modified / Reviewed:

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