Skip to main content

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 Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Date: May 10, 2024
Contact: IFUASS Qualification and Curriculum Board (IFUASS) 

The 2024 revision of the NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 is now available. PMS 515 standardizes the processes and procedures for interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This publication is now available as a PDF for easy use offline.

References:

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Memorandum 24-003: Removal of Type 1 Command and General Staff (C&G) Incident Position Qualification Pathways

Date: May 10, 2024
Contact: Aitor Bidaburu 

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide NWCG direction for removal of the Type 1 Command and General Staff (C&G) incident position qualification pathways to transition to Complex Incident Management (CIM). Responders may continue to utilize available NWCG pathways to attain Type 1 C&G qualifications until December 31, 2024.

References:

Memorandum 24-003

CIM Story Map

2024 Professional Reading Program

Date: April 26, 2024
Contact: Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP) 

The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program is announcing the 2024 Professional Reading list! The intent of the Professional Reading Program is to promote the reading and discussion of these books throughout the year. Discussion guides are provided and the corresponding Wildland Fire Leadership Levels have been identified.

The five books chosen for this year are: Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean, The Wisdom of the Bullfrog by William H. McRaven, The Art of Clear Thinking by Hasard Lee, Emotional Agility by Susan David, and Writing to Persuade by Trish Hall.

References:

Professional Reading Program

Wildland Fire Leadership Levels

NWCG Training Catalog now on Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Date: April 25, 2023
Contact: NWCG Training  

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) has migrated the training catalog from the NWCG website to the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) as part of our ongoing efforts to streamline processes and improve efficiency. To facilitate this transition, the training catalog remains available on www.nwcg.gov through April 2024.

Starting May 2024, the training catalog will no longer be accessible on www.nwcg.gov. However, you can still access the complete training catalog by logging in as a guest to the WFLP.

References:

Wildland Fire Learning Portal