10/25/2026
Today we spotlight the Heavy Equipment Group Supervisor, or HEGS. This role is normally activated when there are three or more equipment groups working on a wildfire.
The HEGS has spent years working with heavy equipment, knows the capability and limits of the machines, understands wildfire behaviour and suppression tactics, knows the operators by name, and is calm under pressure.
The HEGS coordinates with other areas of the Incident Management Team ensuring the right equipment is in the right place at the right time. Need another water truck, ask HEGS. Need a speciality item; feller buncher, mulcher, truck with floatation tires, ask HEGS.
When the equipment needs a mechanic, the HEGS coordinates the route to get them in, either by ground or helicopter. Operators may require being flown in to the machines, looked after once again by HEGS.
What do you do when the machines need to refuel at the end of the day, but are miles from a road? HEGS will organize an off road flat deck ATV such as a Nodwell to bring in drums of fuel.
The HEGS play an important role in managing wildfires. As they do their job, they are assisting many others with the tools and resources to be successful in their efforts.
Shout out to all those who are willing to be a wildfire HEGS!
