Firefighter Type 2

Job Description form NWCG

The Firefighter Type 2 serves on a hand crew, engine crew, or helitack crew, performing fire suppression and fuels management duties in the most adverse climate, fuel, and terrain conditions. The FFT2 has no supervisory responsibilities and is supervised by the Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) or one of the Single Resource Bosses (CRWB, HEQB, ENGB, FELB, FIRB, HMGB). The FFT2 works in the Operations functional area.

The FFT2 performs position duties commensurate with Type 2 incident complexity and characteristics stated in the Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book).

Perform Firefighter Type 2-Specific Duties

• Establish and maintain the physical fitness level necessary to effectively perform hard physical labor for extended periods under adverse climate, fuel, and terrain conditions.

• Perform wildland fire and prescribed fire duties including suppression, preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding, and mop-up. Use standard firefighting tools such as pulaskis, shovels, McLeods, chainsaws, drip torches, and fusees to do this work.

• Perform hand crew duties including packing heavy loads of fuel, food, water, and tools for miles over rough terrain in hot and smoky conditions to get to the work site.

• Perform engine operations duties including running the pump, deploying hoselays, completing preventative engine maintenance checks, and effectively using water and additives.

• Perform portable pump operator duties such as pump site selection, set up, and operation.

• Support chainsaw operations.

• Apply knowledge of fuels, terrain, weather, and fire behavior to decisions and actions.

• Use Incident Command System (ICS) terminology, organization, and command structure.

• Use and maintain personal protection equipment (PPE).

• Follow crew standard operating procedures (SOPs).

• Ensure proper refurbishing and resupply of tools, vehicles, food, water and supplies.

Perform Fireline Duties

• Use NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, to guide actions.

• Look, listen, and learn. Ask questions when appropriate and ensure you understand instructions when they are given.

• Ensure that instructions are clear and understood.

• Be a student of fire. Observe interactions and operations to expand experience level.

Perform Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Duties

• Conduct WUI operations according to guidelines stated in IRPG, incident-specific objectives and guidelines, and agency-specific guidance.

Communicate and Coordinate

• Follow established processes and chain of command for collecting, producing, and distributing information.

• Report any changes in fire behavior or hazardous conditions to supervisor.

• Ensure basic understanding of multichannel radio operation. Use plain language and ICS terminology.

• Participate in After Action Reviews (AAR).

Manage Risk

• Operate within your skill level and limitations.

• Apply the Risk Management Process as stated in the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461:

  • Identify hazards.

  • Assess hazards.

  • Develop controls and make risk decisions.

  • Implement controls.

  • Supervise and evaluate.

• Report all accidents or injuries to supervisor.

• Establish Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones (LCES) before they are needed, according to IRPG guidance.​

• Apply the Standard Firefighting Orders and Watch Out Situations to your assignment, as stated in the IRPG.

• Use Look Up, Down and Around in the IRPG to help maintain situational awareness. Adjust actions accordingly.

• Identify health and safety hazards from smoke and mitigate exposure as necessary (Smoke: Know the Risks module)  

• Comply with all safety practices and procedures.

• Provide for health, safety, and welfare for self and those around you.