Wildland Firefighting Practice Exam

Who reports to a Division Supervisor and performs tactical assignments for the strike team?

1. Branch Director

2. Incident Commander

3. Strike Team Leader

4. Operations Chief

The correct answer is: Strike Team Leader

The role of a Strike Team Leader is specifically designed to report to a Division Supervisor and execute tactical assignments within a prescribed area of responsibility. The Strike Team Leader is responsible for overseeing the team’s operations during a wildland firefighting incident, ensuring that specific tasks are accomplished effectively and efficiently. This includes managing team members, coordinating with other fire personnel, and implementing the strategic objectives established by the incident management team. This hierarchy is crucial in the Incident Command System (ICS), as it allows for clear communication and responsibility delineation. While other roles such as the Branch Director and Operations Chief will have oversight and broader supervisory responsibilities, the Strike Team Leader operates within a focused context, providing direct tactical leadership to ensure that the assigned objectives for the strike team are met. For context, the Incident Commander oversees all operations, but it is the Strike Team Leader who directly manages the strike team's activities on the ground. The Division Supervisor provides guidance and support to the Strike Team Leader, but it is the leader’s job to implement tactical operations.