This position is established as a Squad Boss for a Contract Hand Crew for Ore-Cal Fire Suppression Inc. This position includes type. This position includes the ability to work on a 20 Person Type 2, 2 IA and Project Work Hand Crews. The responsibilities of this position are to perform Wild land Firefighting work with safety of themselves and others as the highest priority.
Minimum training requirements for the Squad boss include but are not limited to the following courses; S-131, S-201, S-211, S-212, S-216 AND L-280.In addition to a signed task book for this position.
This is a laborious position requiring long hours, severe work environments, and physical testing by means of a “pack test.” All personnel on fire crews are required to have certified wildland fire training and are required to take a Work Capacity Test at the ARDUOUS Level which consists of walking 3 miles in under 45 minutes carrying a 45 pound pack, and show proof of said requirements. In addition, all employees are subject to drug testing prior to first assignment. Without prior notice, a crew may be subject to additional testing during or after an assignment.
Work requires strenuous, physical exertion for extended periods of time. Including but not limited to the following: walking, climbing, chopping, throwing, lifting, pulling, and frequently carrying objects weighing 45 lb. or more. During fire season you must be in excellent physical shape and you are required and responsible to maintain your physical shape for the duration of the fire season. This is very important for endurance and safety reasons.
You must carry personal ID on you at all times. You may be required to be gone from your home base for 3 weeks (21 days) or longer, fully geared for a camp situation. You will be required to have your own sleeping and camping gear, also you must have your own fire boots, it is up to you to take care of your own gear.
Description of Duties:
A Squad Boss must maintain professional conduct while completing all tasks assigned by their immediate supervisor. The Squad Boss is responsible for obeying all company policies and individual crew rules. A Squad Boss must be able to effectively and efficiently use all hand tools, radios, a d communicate with supervisors and adjoining forces if necessary. The Squad Boss must be able to lead other crewmembers, work with agency personnel and other contract crews. The Squad Boss is responsible for making sure assigned tasks are completed in a safe and effective manner.
Each Squad Boss is responsible for waking up their squad and leading them to each meal. They are required to do an equipment checklist for the vehicle they are responsible for and notify the crew boss if areas are deficient. The third Squad Boss may not receive squad boss pay if a third Squad Boss is not needed.
Each Squad Boss will account for every member of their squad, making sure they are prepared for the next shift including but not limited to; food, water, and gear. Provide for the safety of their squad at all times, mitigate any personnel problems and document any significant events during each shift. They are required to let their immediate supervisor know where they are at all times, this includes on duty times as well as off duty times while on assignment.
The Squad Boss will be required to supervise and lead his squad (a small group of 3-10 people), delegate tasks to accomplish their work as assigned by the Crew Boss. The Squad Boss is required to perform advanced maintenance and repairs on chainsaws and other power tools, conduct safety briefings, assure all safety policies are adhered to, operate hand tools, operate and maintain vehicles including inspection reports, and complete all basic labor tasks (pile covering, slash piling, chopping, hiking, felling small trees, moving dirt to construct a fireline, applying water by use of a hose or back pump).
The Squad Boss will be required to complete daily activity reports, timekeeping for their squad, reporting to the crew boss any injuries or illnesses and personnel problems. This position also includes vehicle fluids are checked daily, equipment is organized, accounted for and any deficiencies are reported to the crew boss. The Squad Boss must at all times account for all assigned crew persons.
When on the fire line each Squad Boss will maintain the work speed and synchronization of the entire crew as required by the Crew Boss during all phases of work; hiking, digging fire line and tool maintenance. It is the Squad Boss’ responsibility to keep their vehicle and themselves clean and presentable, make sure they have food and water, maintain their tool(s), while assisting their supervisors in tasks required of each individual incident.