Turn Downs

A turn down is a situation where an individual has determined he or she cannot safely complete an assignment as given and is unable to negotiate an alternative solution. Every individual has the right and obligation to report circumstances, conditions, or actions that could jeopardize firefighter or public safety. When an individual feels an assignment is unsafe, they also have the option to identify safe alternatives for completing that assignment. Turning down an assignment is one possible outcome of managing risk. 

There are many conditions in which an Airtanker Pilot or Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS) may turn down an assignment. A turn down must be based on a thoughtful and thorough risk assessment. 

Individuals may turn down an assignment when: 

• There is a violation of established safe aviation practices.
  • e.g., aircraft mechanical malfunctions, mixed aircraft are over fire and aerial supervision requirements are not met, time of day in relation to pumpkin time, active military training airspace with no deconfliction
• Environmental conditions make the work unsafe.
  • e.g., heavy winds, thunderstorms, untenable terrain, time of day, unsafe runway conditions, airport operations incidents
• Personnel lack the necessary qualifications or experience.
  • e.g., An unaccompanied, non-IA carded pilot has been requested for an assignment.

Once a turn down occurs, the Airtanker Base Manager (ATBM) or Single Engine Airtanker Manager (SEMG) is responsible for:

• Notifying the Air Operations Branch Director (AOBD) or unit aviation leadership immediately.
• In the case that other resources are requested to perform the assignment, the ATBM or dispatch must inform any new resources that the assignment has been turned down, and the reason why.
• The safety hazard should be documented by the submission of a SAFENET or SAFECOM.
• Agency Reporting Systems must be used by all firefighters according to their agency specific accident and incident reporting direction. SAFENET augments these systems, it does not replace them.  

Discussion Questions:

• When an Airtanker Pilot turns down an assignment, should other bases be notified?
• If a pilot decides he or she wants to delay accepting the mission to monitor the weather for more favorable conditions, when should the turn down be documented?
• If conditions do not feel safe on the ramp, can ramp personnel turn down an assignment?
• In what instances may ramp personnel be involved with a pilot turning down an assignment?