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Helicopter Manager, Single Resource Boss

Position Description

Duties

  • Administers the helicopter contract in the field, and manages the helicopter operations according to established interagency guidelines and procedures.
  • Identifies the differences between CWN and exclusive use contracts.
  • Gathers information necessary to assess incident assignment and determine immediate needs and actions.
  • Establishes agency contacts and identifies chain of command with Fire Management Officer and/or Aviation manager, dispatcher, procurement person, air support group supervisor or other contact on the incident.
  • Develops logistical lines of authority for ordering supplies, transportation, human services, etc.
  • Establishes lines of communication with local dispatch, incident dispatch, radio frequencies, and ordering authority flight following responsibility.
  • Conducts initial contractor inspection by validating cards *both pilot and aircraft), conduct pre-use inspections of aircraft and support/service equipment. Verifies pilot Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
  • Initiates and completes Aircraft Contract Daily diary throughout assignment.
  • Confirms that air-to-air and air-to-ground communication procedures and frequencies are in place.
  • Establishes flight following procedures and air traffic control procedures.
  • Provides for the safety and welfare of assigned personnel during the entire assignment by recognizing potentially hazardous situations, informing all of the situations, ensures that special precautions are taken when extraordinary hazards exist, ensures adequate rest is provided to all unit personnel, develops/acquires and posts flight hazard map, identifies safety equipment needs and appropriate locations, discusses crash rescue procedures with support personnel.
  • Conducts pre and post-flight briefings with contactor for safety, operations, and communications, reviews work performance and provides feedback, and identifies and implements adjustments in operations.
  • Attends daily briefings with agency/incident personnel on mission priorities, operations, weather forecasts and communications.
  • Continuously monitors flight and or duty hours of pilots, mechanics and fuel truck drivers to ensure that hour limitations are not exceeded. Identifies need for relief pilot. Schedules and manages work to ensure limitations are not exceeded. Identifies sunrise and sunset time constraints.
  • Initiates and maintains administrative forms (OAS 23s, shift tickets, rental agreements, etc.)
  • Conducts closeout inspection of aircraft and all support equipment.
  • Ensures all procurement related records and documents are accurate and complete at demobilization. Turns in all documentation to agency authority.
  • Manages CWN helicopters and CWN modules on a temporary basis.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • S-372, Helicopter Manager Training
    AND
  • Biennial CWN Helicopter Manager Workshop
  • Qualified HELB, or CRWB, or ENGB
  • Qualified HECM
  • Ability to communicate clearly and concisely

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Date: November 14, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention. Misaligned toolless fuel caps on Stihl chainsaws have led to recurring fuel spillage, fuel ignition, and burn injuries during wildland fire management operations.

This Safety Warning is intended to highlight the details and recommended procedures for the installation of a Stihl chainsaw toolless fuel cap, as well as how to identify and correct a misaligned, damaged, or broken fuel cap to help prevent fuel spillage.

References:

NWCG Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Advertencia de equipos 24-001: Prevención de derrames de la tapa de combustible sin herramientas de la motosierra Stihl

NWCG Alerts

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51 and NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for EQTR, includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Equipment Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51

NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53 and NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for PTRC, includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Personnel Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53

NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53

NWCG Risk Management Committee Releases Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

Date: November 7, 2024
Contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has released Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires. As wildland fire respirators are available through several established vendors, wildland fire personnel need to understand regulations and limitations of respirator use in the workplace.

Safety Bulletin 24-001 outlines the following topics regarding respirator use for wildland fires:

  • Requirements for Respirator Use
  • Voluntary Respirator Use
  • Current Respirator Options
  • Unknown Risks of Respirator Use

This bulletin also provides mitigation recommendations to help reduce smoke exposure for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

NWCG Smoke Management Guide for Prescribed Fire, PMS 420-3

VIDEO: Protecting Wildfire Personnel from Smoke - How Incident Management Teams Address Smokes Risks

VIDEO: Smoke, Knowing the Risks