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Southern California

  • Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake/VX-31 SAR
    Geographic Area:
    Southern California
    Source:
    Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake/VX-31 SAR
    FM Radio Programmable:
    Yes
    Make & Model:

    MH-60S (Blackhawk)

    Notes:

    FM Radio Programmable note: VHF, UHF, and handheld KNG-P150. 1)VX-31 / China Lake Station SAR, active Navy unit responsible for R-2508 complex military Search & Rescue.
    Crews are rappel capable and technical rescue capable.  Crews are bambi bucket qualified, but response time for firefighting response will be longer.  
     

    Ordering Procedure:

    GACC or 911 dispatch centers should coordinate requests for military through the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) at phone #: 800-851-3051.

    In parallel with previous ordering procedures, requesting agency can call 760-939-0690 (primary) or 760-382-8938 (secondary mobile) to quickly ascertain response time and aircraft maintenance status. If during the week, aircraft may be airborne and have reduced response time. If no answer on primary, do not leave a message; call secondary number 24/7.Chief Pilot also available 24/7, Eugene Bolton (619) 723-0131.

    Recovery Device or Method:
    Map Location:
    Ridgecrest, CA
    Map Location Number:
    24
  • San Diego Fire Rescue Department
    Geographic Area:
    Southern California
    Source:
    San Diego Fire Rescue Department
    FM Radio Programmable:
    Yes
    Make & Model:

    Bell 212 HP, 412 EP

    Notes:

    Must have prior approval to leave the Unit except on initial attack fires with local neighbors. Rescue is a priority, but agency will not let the helicopter be on standby for a fire rescue/medivac.

    Ordering Procedure:

    GACC or 911 or SDFD Dispatch Center @ 858-974-9891.
    CAL FIRE: Units place order to the GACC and GACC can go direct to San Diego Co.
    Federal: Units place order to the GACC.

    Recovery Device or Method:
    Map Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Map Location Number:
    14
  • Orange County Fire Authority
    Geographic Area:
    Southern California
    Source:
    Orange County Fire Authority
    FM Radio Programmable:
    Yes
    Make & Model:

    Bell 412 EP

    Notes:

    Must have prior approval to leave the Unit except on initial attack fires with local neighbors.

    Ordering Procedure:

    Contact OCFA Emergency Command Center for availability 714-573-6500.
    CAL FIRE: Units place order to the GACC and GACC can go direct to Orange Co ECC.
    Federal: Units place order to the GACC.

    Recovery Device or Method:
    Map Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Map Location Number:
    13
  • San Bernardino Sheriff #2
    Geographic Area:
    Southern California
    Source:
    San Bernardino Sheriff
    FM Radio Programmable:
    Yes
    Make & Model:

    6 A-Star (AS350 B3)

    Notes:

    On recall from 0200-0700 hrs.

    Ordering Procedure:

    0800-1700 hrs: Sheriff’s Aviation (909)252-4100.
    1700-0800 hrs: Sheriff’s Dispatch (909)356-9652.

    Recovery Device or Method:
    Map Location:
    San Bernardino, CA
    Map Location Number:
    10
  • San Bernardino Sheriff #1
    Geographic Area:
    Southern California
    Source:
    San Bernardino Sheriff
    FM Radio Programmable:
    Yes
    Make & Model:

    1-UH1H Super Huey, 1-Bell 212

    Notes:

    On recall from 1800-0800 hrs. Primary rescue aircraft.

    Ordering Procedure:

    0800-1700 hrs: Sheriff’s Aviation (909)252-4100,
    1700-0800 hrs: Sheriff’s Dispatch (909)356-9652.

    Recovery Device or Method:
    Map Location:
    San Bernardino, CA
    Map Location Number:
    10
  • Santa Barbara County Fire Department
    Geographic Area:
    Southern California
    Source:
    Santa Barbara County Fire Department
    FM Radio Programmable:
    Yes
    Make & Model:

    1-Bell (UH-1H) Restricted

    Notes:

    Must have prior approval to leave the Unit except on initial attack fires with local neighbors. Rescue is a priority, but agency will not let the helicopter be on standby for Fire/Rescue.

    Ordering Procedure:

    CAL FIRE: Units place order to the GACC and GACC can go direct to Santa Barbara Co ECC.
    Federal: Units place order to the GACC.

    Recovery Device or Method:
    Map Location:
    Santa Ynez, CA
    Map Location Number:
    8
  • Kern County Fire Department
    Geographic Area:
    Southern California
    Source:
    Kern County Fire Department
    FM Radio Programmable:
    Yes
    Make & Model:

    2-Bell (UH-1H) Restricted Super Hueys, H-407 & H-408

    Notes:

    None

    Ordering Procedure:

    CAL FIRE: Units place order to the GACC and GACC can go direct to Kern Co.
    Federal: Units place order to the GACC. H408 and H407 are statused with South Ops daily
    Contact: ECC at 661-861-2521 (dispatch available 24 hours). Rescue crew: pilot, Hoist operator, rescuer, safety. Available with Helitack crew to run Night Helibase ops.

    Recovery Device or Method:
    Map Location:
    Keene Helibase, 8 miles west of Tehachapi Municipal Airport
    Map Location Number:
    7
  • National Park Service (Sequoia-Kings Canyon)
    Geographic Area:
    Southern California
    Source:
    National Park Service
    FM Radio Programmable:
    Yes
    Make & Model:

    A-Star (AS-350 B3)

    Notes:

    Day missions only. This is a park fire/rescue helicopter. Park very seldom approves helicopter to leave the Park. Exceptions are to assist with boarder fires or rescues that affect the Park. Must have prior approval to leave the park except on IA with neighbors. Rescue is a priority, but agency will not let the helicopter be on standby for a fire rescue/medivac.

    Ordering Procedure:

    Contact: Southern California Geographic Area Coordination Center (OSC) 951-276-6725, or CA-KNP 24hr Dispatch, 559-565-3195, or normal hour’s fire dispatch 559-565-3164. Order through normal ordering procedures. Forest/unit place to GACC, GACC will place to Sequoia/Kings ECC.

    Recovery Device or Method:
    Map Location:
    Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
    Map Location Number:
    6
  • National Park Service (Yosemite)
    Geographic Area:
    Southern California
    Source:
    National Park Service
    FM Radio Programmable:
    Yes
    Make & Model:

    Bell 205

    Notes:

    Day missions only. Must have prior approval to leave the park except on initial attack fires with local neighbors. Rescue is a priority, but agency will not let the helicopter be on standby for a fire rescue/medivac. If on a current rescue, it will not be available until it completes that mission to be available for another mission.

    Ordering Procedure:

    Contact: Yosemite Dispatch, 209-379-1999. Order through normal ordering process. Forest/unit place to GACC, GACC will place to Yosemite ECC.

    Recovery Device or Method:
    Map Location:
    Yosemite, National Park
    Map Location Number:
    5
  • LA County Fire
    Geographic Area:
    Southern California
    Source:
    LA County Fire
    FM Radio Programmable:
    Yes
    Make & Model:

    S70A Firehawk

    Notes:
    Hoist, Short-haul must have prior approval to leave the Unit except on initial attack fires with local neighbors. Rescue is a priority, but agency will not let the helicopters be on standby for a fire rescue/medivac.
    Ordering Procedure:

    LA County Fire Dispatch 1-323-881-6183. CAL FIRE: Units place order to the GACC and GACC can go direct to Los Angeles Co. Federal: Units place order to the GACC.

    Recovery Device or Method:
    Map Location:
    Lancaster, CA; Brackett Airport - LaVerne/Pomona, CA; Malibu, CA; Fire Camp 9 (Sylmar), CA; Barton Heliport Pacoima-Whiteman Airport, CA
    Map Location Number:
    19, 20, 21, 22, 23
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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