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Airtanker Base Application Unit

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ABAU header graphic. Photo of an airtanker dropping retardant over a hillside with two inset photos of the NWCG Airtanker Base Directory, and an airtanker on the runway. Decorative.
Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Airtanker Base Application Unit (ABAU), our mission is to uphold the highest standards of excellence in managing the NWCG Airtanker Base Directory, PMS 507. We are committed to promoting the safe, efficient, and effective utilization of aviation services in support of agency and interagency airtanker base operations during wildfire suppression efforts.

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Primary Objectives

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Five single engine aircraft queuing for takeoff.
  • The Airtanker base application unit is designed to support wildland fire managers, pilots, and contractors by providing essential information and resources related to airtanker base facilities. These facilities play a crucial role in aerial firefighting operations, as they serve as critical hubs for the coordination and deployment of airtankers and other aerial firefighting assets.

Forms

Proposed Change Request Form for NWCG Airtanker Base Directory, PMS 507

Submit to your agency representative on IABDU 

 

Chair: Kelly Mathis

NWCG Coordinator: Dave Schultz

Parent Committee: Interagency Airtanker Base Subcommittee

Meeting Schedule: TBD

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

2024 Week of Remembrance

Date: June 27, 2024
Contact: 6 Minutes for Safety Subcommittee 

As we approach the 2024 Week of Remembrance (WOR), June 30 to July 6, we dedicate this time to thoughtfully reviewing and recognizing the events of the 2018 Mendocino Complex. As such, this year’s theme of “Learning From the Mendocino Complex” embodies a longstanding hallmark of WOR, honoring through learning.

Throughout the week, our energy will be directed toward fostering generative conversations in briefing rooms and at tailgates.

References:

6 Minutes for Safety - 2024 Week of Remembrance

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

Updated NWCG Wildland Fire Risk and Complexity Assessment, PMS 236

Date: June 24, 2024
Contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee 

The June 2024 update of the NWCG Wildland Fire Risk and Complexity Assessment, PMS 236, is now available to meet the current needs for incident management typing.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Risk and Complexity Assessment should be used to evaluate firefighter safety issues, assess risk, and identify the appropriate incident management organization based on incident complexity. Assessing risk, determining incident complexity, and identifying an appropriate incident management organization is a subjective process based on examining a combination of indicators or factors, which can change over time.

References:

NWCG Wildland Fire Risk and Complexity Assessment, PMS 236

Operations Branch Director (OPBD) Next Gen PTB Available

Date: June 10, 2024
Contact: NWCG Feedback 

The NWCG Position Task Book for Operations Branch Director (OPBD), PMS 311-109 is now available for use within the OPBD position qualification pathway. As part of the transition to Complex Incident Management (CIM), the OPBD Next Gen PTB was developed and the position qualification pathway updated.

More information about the Next Gen PTB format can be found on the NWCG Position Task Book webpage.

References:

Operations Branch Director Position Page

Operations Branch Director Next Gen PTB

NWCG Position Task Books

Updated NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902

Date: June 5, 2024
Contact: NWCG Incident Business Committee 

The 2024 revision of the NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902 is now available. The uniform application of interagency incident business management standards is critical to interagency fire operations. PMS 902 assists NWCG agencies in constructively working together to provide effective execution of each agency's incident business management program.

References:

PMS 902