Skip to main content

Burned Area Emergency Response Specialist

Position Description

This position serves as a member of the interdisciplinary assessment team, providing specialized expertise in natural/cultural resources affected by the fire or BAER assessment technical support.  The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Assessment Team members work for the BAER Assessment Team Leader and usually have no direct supervisory responsibilities.  Possible BAER Assessment Team members include:

  • BAER Hydrologist
  • BAER Engineer
  • BAER Soil Scientist
  • BAER Botanist/Plant Specialist
  • BAER Heritage Resource Specialist
  • BAER Range Specialist
  • BAER Biologist
  • BAER Forester
  • BAER Geologist
  • BAER GIS Specialist
  • BAER Landscape Architect
  • BAER Recreation/Wilderness Specialist

DUTIES

  • Obtains briefing from BAER Assessment Team Leader regarding burned area survey objectives, potential safety hazards, and planned assessment completion dates.
  • Attends all briefings conducted by BAER Assessment Team Leader.
  • Coordinates, as appropriate, with fire suppression Incident Command organization when entering, exiting, or traveling through the fire area.
  • Works cooperatively with other team members to execute incident action plan.
  • Collects and analyzes field data and supporting data appropriate to resource area of expertise.
  • Describes emergency conditions relative to resource specialty.
  • Prepares written, photographic, or map documentation of resource conditions.
  • Recommends potential treatment measures appropriate to resource area of expertise.
  • Develops treatment specifications, locations, and cost information for inclusion in the emergency stabilization plan and Burned Area Report.
  • Recommends effectiveness monitoring procedures and assists in development of BAER monitoring plan.
  • Assists in preparing initial FS emergency stabilization plan and briefing agency administrator.
  • Ensures that assessment team safety measures are followed.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements:

  • Knowledge of emergency stabilization program policy and objectives, completion of FS or Interagency BAER team member course and/or prior experience as a BAER assessment team member.
  • Specialized knowledge/experience regarding post-fire effects and effective emergency stabilization techniques specific to their resource specialty.
  • When fire is uncontained- work capacity fitness level of light, annual fire line safety refresher, S-190, S-130, communications and radio training.

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and Next Generation Position Task Book for Basic Faller Are Now Available

Date: April 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-19 are now available.

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212 includes position standards designed to be used in conjunction with the Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB). The Next Gen PTB for Basic Faller (FAL3) includes an evaluation guide with suggested rating elements to consider when assessing trainees.

References:

NWCG Standards For Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-119

NWCG Basic Faller (FAL3)

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions

Date: April 9, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
RMC Member Eric Fransted

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) serves as the position steward for all Safety Officer incident positions and continues to improve position standards, training, and naming conventions. The implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) required changes to position titles. RMC collaborated with the NWCG Incident Position Standards Committee (IPSC) to propose and implement these updates. 

References:

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions 

NWCG Position Catalog

Updated, NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination, PMS 412

Date: April 8, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee

PMS 412 provides guidance for wildland fire investigations. This guide outlines recommended procedures, practices, techniques, and methods to promote a systematic approach. The last update to this publication was in 2016.

References:

NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination PMS 412

Updated NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508

Date: March 31, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Airtanker Base Operations Unit

The updated NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations (SABO), PMS 508 standardizes operations and procedures at interagency airtanker bases to ensure safe, efficient, and effective operations in support of interagency goals and objectives.

References:

NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508