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Area Commander

ACDR decorative banner: photos depicting ACDR position. ACDR Position Description: Area Command (ACDR) is an expansion of the incident command function. It is designed to manage a very large incident that has multiple IMTs assigned. These teams may be established any time the incidents are close enough that oversight direction is required. This is to ensure that resource allocation conflicts do not arise among the IMTs.

The Area Commander (ACDR) is responsible for setting priorities for the use of critical resources among multiple Incident Management Teams (IMT) in an assigned area or allocating/reallocating resources during a single, large-scale incident/event. Area Command may be established when oversight direction is required to ensure that resource allocation conflicts do not arise among the IMTs. The Area Commander reports to the Agency Administrator (AA) and works in the Command functional area.

An Area Command organization is normally small with personnel assigned to the Command, Planning, and Logistics functions. Depending on the complexity of the interface between the incidents, specialists in other areas, such as aviation, hazardous materials, environment, and finance, may also be assigned to Area Command.

Area Command Aviation Coordinator (ACAC) Assistant Area Commander, Planning (ACPC) Assistant Area Commander, Logistics (ACLC) Area Commander (ACDR)

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 2023

Added:

  • Incident Commander Complex (ICCI) to "These Positions Maintain Currency for ADCR."
  • Incident Commander Complex (ICCI) and Operations Section Chief Complex (OSCC) to "ACDR Maintains Currency for These Positions."
Date: May 2022

Added:  Planning Section Chief Complex (PSCC) to "Maintains Currency For These Positions".

Date: May 2021

Added: Incident Position Description (IPD) approved.

Date: Oct 2015

Added: Logistics Section Chief Type 1 (LSC1) to Area Commander (ACDR) Maintains Currency for these Positions.

Date: Oct 1999

Added: Required training S-620 – Area Command (32 hrs).

Date: Oct 1984

Position created.

USWDS Paragraph Bundles

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


Last Modified / Reviewed:

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The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Aircraft Base Radio Operator (ABRO)

Date: September 12, 2024
Contact: Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Aircraft Base Radio Operator, PMS 350-87 and NWCG Position Task Book for Aircraft Base Radio Operator (ABRO), PMS 311-87 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for ABRO includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book 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 Aircraft Base Radio Operator Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Aircraft Base Radio Operator, PMS 350-87

NWCG Position Task Book for Aircraft Base Radio Operator, PMS 311-87

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Date: September 9, 2024
Contact: Mental Health Subcommittee 

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health within our wildland fire community. This year’s Suicide Prevention Month theme, “Stronger Together,” underscores the importance of unity and support in every facet of our lives — at work, with family, and among friends.

As we recognize Suicide Prevention Month, including Suicide Prevention Week (September 8 – September 14, 2024) and World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10, 2024), we encourage you to share resources and engage in meaningful conversations within your teams.

Remember: We are Stronger Together, and help is always available. Let’s continue to support one another and foster an environment where mental health is a priority.

References:

NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee

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Date: August 28, 2024
Contact: Leadership Committee 

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The campaign features four modules that can be completed at any time between May 2024 and May 2025.

The Leadership Committee promotes and enables the development of leaders in the wildland fire service by providing educational and leadership development opportunities.

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2024/2025 NWCG Leadership Campaign – The Roots of Wildland Fire Leadership

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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