| Solicitation Q&A: 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 |
General:
Can I sign-up in more than one
zone?
An
owner signs up all equipment in
one zone.
|
What if
I miss the sign-up dates?
Spring
sign-ups happen before equipment
is needed and when dispatchers
are not as busy with dispatching.
We urge you to contact your local
Dispatch Center for inspection
dates and deadlines early in the
year. Some, not all, Dispatch
Centers maintain a list of resource
names/companies to call upon in
the event all the signed up equipment
has been exhausted.
|
Can
I sign up to only fight fires for
a specific agency?
No, the agreement is an Interagency
agreement. However, by signing up,
there is no obligation for you to
respond. |
Why
can't I just sign up at the fire?
This
is a complex process and in an emergency
situation there may not be adequate
personnel on site to handle the
administrative paperwork or to complete
inspections. Sign up procedures
are in place. Please do not arrive
at an active fire site. It may add
to the already unsafe situation.
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What
are my work hours?
Some general guidelines are provided
here. Note that the answer may be
even more specific with different
situations and should be discussed
with the agency procurement officer.
Driving Operations:
No driver will drive more
than ten hours (behind the wheel)
within any duty day. Multiple drivers
in a single vehicle may drive up
to the duty day limit as long as
no one person exceeds the ten hour
limitation.
A driver will only drive if he/she
had at least eight consecutive
hours off duty before beginning
a shift. Exceptions apply only
to immediate and critical needs
for suppression objectives or
for firefighter and public safety.
The
Work-rest Guidelines have not
changed. The 2:1 work to rest
ratio is still valid and will
be followed. The guidelines state
that for every two hours worked,
one hour of rest will be provided
to incident personnel. In addition,
two days of rest and recuperation
(R&R) are equired after 14
working days.
However, flexibility
to exceed the guidelines is
allowed when warranted under
specific circumstances. Narrow
exemptions will be granted by
agreement of the incident management
personnel and the responsible
agency administrator.
Work-Rest Guidelines
apply to all federal wildland
firefighting agencies, state
personnel and cooperators.
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Why
do I have to sign up every year?
For
the contractor, your needs, location
and equipment may change. For
the government, rates and requirements
may change from year to year.
|
Do
I need to sign up with the State
and other Agencies?
No. All
signed up equipment may be utilized
by by the State and other Agencies.
|
How
quickly will I get paid after I work
on a fire?
Typically, you can expect
payment within 30 days. |
Does
the government take out income taxes
before paying me?
It is the contractors' responsibility
to take out taxes for employees. |
Do I
have to be part of an organization,
association, or union before I can
get an assignment?
No, anyone who completes the sign
up process, inspection process and
safety training is eligible. |
What
if I signed up in the spring and
then I buy a new piece of equipment
I want on agreement?
New equipment may be added to
a resource list that some Dispatch
Centers maintain in the event
that the already signed up equipment
has been exhausted.
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How
will I be notified of an assignment?
You
will receive a call from Dispatch.
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How
will I know fires are burning?
|
|
Can
a fire shelter be rebagged?
Yes, under certain circumstances.
Please see the criteria
document and links to Forest
Service approved company to re-bag
fire shelters. |
