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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

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN)

Date: August 27, 2024
Contact: Incident Planning Subcommittee 

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Status/Check-In Recorder, PMS 350-32, NWCG Position Task Book for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN), PMS 311-32, and Checking In Resources Customer Service Job Aid, J-111 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for SCKN includes the Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Book, and job aid 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 Status/Check-In Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Status/Check-In Recorder, PMS 350-32

NWCG Position Task Book for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN), PMS 311-32

Checking In Resources Customer Service Job Aid, J-111

The Next Generation Position Task Book and Incident Position Standards are now available for Safety Officer, Field (SOFF)

Date: July 26, 2024
Contact: Risk Management Committee 

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Safety Officer, Field, PMS 350-81 and NWCG Position Task Book for Safety Officer, Field (SOFF), PMS 311-81 are now available.

The Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) is responsible for monitoring operations on an incident from a risk management perspective to provide for the welfare of incident resources and the public. The new Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort.

References:

NWCG Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) Position

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Safety Officer, Field, PMS 350-81

NWCG Position Task Book for Safety Officer, Field (SOFF), PMS 311-81

Updated NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277

Date: July 25, 2024
Contact: Incident Planning Subcommittee 

The Incident Planning Subcommittee has updated the NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277.

The NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc) establishes the standards for collection and retention of records on wildland fires. This July 2024 update will provide incident management teams the most current standards required to maintain incident records and submit them to host units at the close of an incident.

References:

NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277

eDoc Box Directory (zip file)

NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle Typing Standard Request for Comment

Date: July 24, 2024
Contact: Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee 

The Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee has released Equipment Bulletin 24-002 NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard - Request for Comment. This bulletin outlines the proposed NWCG OHV typing standard, as well as the business need for establishing the standard. Comments on the proposed standard will be accepted through August 15th using the comment form linked below.

References:

ETC-EB-2024-02: NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard - Request for Comment

NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard Comment Form