Skip to main content

Helicopter Crewmember

HECM Incident Position Description

The Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) serves as a member of a helicopter crew, assisting the Helicopter Manager (HMGB) and/or the Helibase Manager (HEBM) in the performance and completion of helicopter missions. The HECM reports to the HMGB or HEBM and works in the Aviation functional area.

Leadership Level 1, Follower (Provide Action)

  • For additional information review Level 1 description, expected behaviors and knowledge, suggested development goals, and self-study opportunities.

Prepare and Mobilize

  • Ensure individual readiness.
  • Gather critical information pertinent to the assignment.
  • Travel to and check in at assignment.
  • Review Base Operations Plan and obtain initial briefing from supervisor.

Build the Team

  • Conduct self in a professional manner.
  • Establish and maintain positive interpersonal and interagency working relationships.
  • Use Incident Command System (ICS) terminology, organization, and command structure.
  • Participate in proficiency checks and drills.
  • Calculate amount and type of additional resources required and obtain through established ordering procedures. Ensures adequate staffing is in place for anticipated or expected activity.
  • Establish and communicate chain of command, reporting procedures, risk management processes, and radio frequency management.

Supervise and Direct Work Assignments

  • Model leadership values and principles. Provide positive influence. Emphasize teamwork.
  • Establish and communicate objectives, priorities, work assignments, and performance expectations.
  • Identify, analyze, and use relevant situational information to make more informed decisions and take appropriate actions.
  • Adjust actions based on changing information and evolving situation awareness. Develop and implement contingency plans. Communicate changing conditions to assigned resources and supervisor.
  • Ensure daily operational objectives and performance standards are met.

Perform Helicopter Crewmember-Specific Duties

  • Assist HMGB or HEBM in performing daily inventory checks and in ensuring operational readiness of helicopter unit.
  • Perform tool, equipment, and vehicle maintenance, and refurbishment.
  • Perform facility and cache maintenance.
  • Brief passengers before takeoff as per NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, Helicopter Passenger Briefing checklist.
  • Prepare internal and/or external cargo loads.
  • Follow proper procedures for loading/unloading helicopter.
  • Marshall helicopters.
  • Prepare landing areas or helispot.
  • Construct helispot or landing areas.
  • Manage helispot.
  • Manage dipsite.

Communicate and Coordinate

  • Communicate using clear text.
  • Obtain daily or more frequent briefings from supervisor.
  • Communicate effectively using multichannel radios. Prepare and program radios for assignment. Use plain language and ICS terminology.
  • Ensure assigned radios are functional prior to commencing daily operations.
  • Maintain radio or message links with appropriate incident functions.
  • Follow established processes and chain of command for collecting, producing, and distributing information.
  • Communicate changing conditions to supervisor.
  • Receive briefing from pilot prior to cargo operations.
  • Brief pilot prior to cargo operations.
  • Participate in functional area briefings and After Action Reviews (AAR).

Manage Risk

  • Apply the Risk Management Process as stated in the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461:
    • Identify Hazards.
    • Assess Hazards.
    • Develop Controls and Make Risk Decisions.
    • Implement Controls.
    • Supervise and Evaluate.
  • Plan for medical emergencies. Ensure that assigned resources are prepared to execute the Medical Plan (ICS 206 WF). Ensure familiarity with medical responders, communication procedures, and transportation plan. Manage the medical emergency based on procedures stated in the Incident Action Plan (IAP), the Medical Incident Report, or other relevant guidelines.
  • Participate in safety sessions and critiques.
  • Provide preflight safety briefings to passengers.
  • Ensure own and others’ safety and welfare in all aspects of job.
  • Report hazards, injuries, incidents, and accidents to supervisor immediately.
  • Verify base and/or incident emergency and safety procedures.

Document

  • Prepare manifest for personnel/cargo.
  • Complete, authorize, ensure timeliness of, and route as required:

Demobilize

  • Follow demobilization instructions from supervisor.
  • Ensure incident and agency demobilization procedures and work/rest standards are followed.
USWDS Paragraph Bundles

Last Modified / Reviewed:

Please Provide Feedback

NWCG values your constructive input and we thank you for taking the time to provide feedback.

Although contact information is optional, we hope that you provide a way for us to contact you in case we need clarification on your comment. If you would like to be contacted regarding your feedback, you must provide contact information. 

Would you like a response?
If you would like a response, you must provide contact information (name and email) below.
One file only.
9.28 GB limit.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, jpeg, png, bmp, eps, tif, pict, psd, txt, rtf, html, odf, pdf, doc, docx, ppt, pptx, xls, xlsx, xml, avi, mov, mp3, mp4, ogg, wav, bz2, dmg, gz, jar, rar, sit, svg, tar, zip.

NWCG Latest Announcements

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Medical Unit Leader (MEDL)

Date: October 16, 2024
Contact: Incident Medical Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Medical Unit Leader, PMS 350-39 and NWCG Position Task Book for Medical Unit Leader (MEDL), PMS 311-39 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for MEDL 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 Medical Unit Leader Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Medical Unit Leader, PMS 350-39

NWCG Position Task Book for Medical Unit Leader (MEDL), PMS 311-39

The Wildland Fire Learning Portal is Now Available

Date: October 9, 2024
Contact: Wildland Fire Learning Portal

The Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) is back online following a migration to a new learning management system (LMS) application. The WFLP team is actively addressing any issues that may arise as a result of the update, and appreciates your patience as the team works to enhance your experience. NWCG will share information from the WFLP as it is available.

Should you have any issues with accessing or using the WFLP, please use the link below to submit a ticket through the Help Center.

References:

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Wildland Fire Learning Portal Help Center

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases New Equipment Bulletins

Date: September 27, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released three new Equipment Bulletins:

  • ETC-EB-24-003 Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers.
  • ETC-EB-24-004 Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeeping current inventories.
  • ETC-EB-24-005 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance.

These bulletins remind field going personnel of important issues related to equipment for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-24-003 Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers

ETC-EB-24-004 Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeeping current inventories

ETC-EB-24-005 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance

The Experiential Learning Subcommittee is looking for your feedback on Staff Rides

Date: September 20, 2024
Contact: Ashleigh D'Antonio and George Risko, Leadership Committee

The Experiential Learning Subcommittee needs to hear from the field about where the greatest need lies regarding staff rides and their accessibility.

  • Do you have an event you would like to turn into a learning experience?
  • Do you have a staff ride built, but are struggling to implement the delivery?
  • Do you need help building capacity?
  • What other ideas do you have to support experiential leadership training?

Fill out this short survey below to help us help you.

References:

Staff Rides: Feedback

Staff Rides