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Fixed Wing Base Manager

Position Description

Introduction

The Fixed Wing Base Manager is a technical specialist functioning under Air Operations. The FWBM reports to either the local Aviation Officer, incident Air Operations, Center Manager or Airtanker Base Manager as appropriate.

Major Duties

  • Orders and secures all necessary ground facilities, supplies and services required at the operating base. Requests communications and operations support through the air support group supervisor.
  • Ensures adequate staffing, supervises and assigns specific duties to assigned base personnel including Ramp Manager, Parking Tenders, Drivers, and other base help.
  • Develops and implements accountability, safety and security measures for personnel and resources and is thoroughly familiar with and enforces all safety requirements for their work area.
  • Is responsible for compliance with agency and state safety and health requirements for the work area.
  • Serves as a liaison to airport management, federal, state, and local officials and fixed base operators.
  • Conducts briefings with base personnel and contractors.
  • Secures a priority list of air missions and schedule of flights.
  • Obtains pertinent information on each aircraft assigned to the base.
  • Coordinates all flights with the dispatch office.
  • Maintains records on aircraft, equipment, and personnel assigned to the base.
  • Receives overhead, crews, and supplies and verifies arrangements for transportations to assigned destination.
  • Regulates movement of assigned aircraft, motor vehicles, and personnel on the airfield.
  • Supervises the demobilization of Unit personnel equipment and supplies.

Knowledge Required by the Position

  • RAMP manager qualified is necessary for position.
  • Knowledge of various types of fixed wing aircraft used by state and federal agencies to ensure safe and efficient operations.
  • Safety Requirements of airbase operations area
  • Computer skills for tracking and reporting
  • Familiar with logistical acquisition per mission
  • Able to order necessary personnel
  • Obtains and maintains necessary information, materials, and equipment
  • Supervise positions under span of control

Supervisory Controls

The Supervisor assigns work and sets priorities, provides objectives, and deadlines.

The employee plans, organizes and carries out recurring work without detailed instructions.

Completed work is usually evaluated for technical soundness and conformity to policy and requirements.

Guidelines

Employee will utilize and adhere to the Interagency Airtanker Base Operations Guide, the local Airtanker Base Supplement or Operations Plan, Interagency Standards for Fire and Aviation Operations, Interagency Single Engine Airtanker Operations Guide, Aircraft Contracts, Lot acceptance and Quality Control, and Health and Safety Code.

The employee will refer needed deviations or questions to the supervisor or higher level while performing airtanker base operations activities.

Complexity/Scope and Effect

FWBM will need to be proficient at managing multiple types of aircraft and RAMP personnel, including strong command of coordination and supervisory skills. Employee needs to conduct daily briefings as well as pre-mission briefings. FWBM needs to have and develop required operational and safety plans, and an understanding of applicable contracts and serve as an administrator of these contracts and familiar with payment process. Serve as the main POC of issues or needs that arise within the span of control.

Personal Contacts/Purpose of Contacts

Employee will establish and maintain contact with the ordering dispatch and/or a local point of contact. Whether it be Air Operations of an IMT, Dispatch, or a Local Aviation manager. This will set protocols, expectations, and chain of command. The following lines of contact should also be made (if applicable): Procurement, Contracting, Safety, Maintenance, Pilots, and Vendors. Once an area of operation is established a working relationship with the local airport management, fixed base operators, tower personnel, airport fire personnel, and airport tenants should be established to ensure a safe and efficient operation.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

No fitness level required for position. However, some work duties may involve working on a RAMP and lifting and moving gear/equipment.

Position Needs

Please reference agency training qualification guides for specific training requirements.

 

 

Last Modified/Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1 and NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1

Date: July 17, 2024
Contact: Training Delivery Committee 

The Training Delivery Committee (TDC) has updated the NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1 to reflect changes in the standards for course management and delivery. These changes have been reviewed and approved by the members of TDC over the past year. Significant updates include additional delivery methods, updated definitions, and instructions for the use of digital signatures on training certificates. The NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1 has been updated to lock after an electronic signature has been applied.

References:

NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1

NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1

IBC Memo 24-01: OF 297 Signature Order and 2024 Fire Season Use IBC Memo 24-02: Summary of Changes for SIIBM, PMS 902

Date: July 15, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee 

The NWCG Incident Business Committee (IBC) has recently released two memorandums. The first provides direction on the use of the Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 for the 2024 fire season. Due to delays in hard copy printing, both the 2024 revision and the older version of the Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 are acceptable for use during the 2024 fire season.

The second memorandum documents the updates of the newly revised NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management (SIIBM), PMS 902. The summary of changes attached to the memo covers the major updates and process changes from the 2022 version.

References:

IBC Memorandum 24-01: OF 297 Signature Order and 2024 Fire Season Use

IBC Memorandum 24-02: Summary of Changes for the NWCG Standards of Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902

IBC Memorandum 24-02 Attachment: Summary of Changes

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

Date: July 10, 2024
Contact: Incident Medical Unit Subcommittee 

A new publication from the Incident Medical Unit Subcommittee is now available. The NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552 will be used as a guide and as an opportunity to begin to build out Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) modules for the remainder of Fire Year 2024. These standards will be fully implemented as the minimum standard starting in January 2025.

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support outlines the roles, duties, qualifications, and equipment pertinent to REMS. A REMS team, strategically stationed at wildland fires, plays a pivotal role in prioritizing swift access and medical treatment to injured or ill firefighters for safe and efficient egress off the fireline. This ensures their rapid transport to definitive medical care in cases of emergency during firefighting operations, highlighting the invaluable contribution of the REMS team to firefighter safety and well-being.

References:

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

National Wildland Firefighter Day

Date: July 2, 2024
Contact: National Interagency Fire Center 

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) would like to recognize July 2, 2024, as National Wildland Firefighter Day (NWFFD). Established in 2022, NWFFD honors the dedication of wildland firefighters and support personnel. This day falls within the 2024 Week of Remembrance (June 30 - July 6), providing an opportunity to renew our commitment to wildland firefighter safety while remembering those who have fallen in the line of duty.

NWCG continues to provide leadership to enable interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners. NWCG standards and training establish common practices to contribute to safe, effective, and coordinated national interagency wildland fire operations.

References:

NWCG.gov

Week of Remembrance

National Wildland Firefighter Day