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Airtanker Base Manager

Position Description

Duties

  • Maintains adequate supplies of water and retardants/suppressants at operations base by secure local water source and schedule retardant/suppressant deliveries in a timely manner.
  • Maintains quality control standards during mixing operations of retardant/suppressant products.
  • Understands function of refractometer and its use.
  • Understands mixing ratios of all products.
  • Obtains and post MSDS sheets on products.
  • Conducts and document periodic inspections to maintain quality control standards for retardants and suppressants.
  • Monitors all ground operations for safety. These include but are not limited to loading procedures, crowd control, hazardous materials spill cleanup and disposal, ‘hot’ reloading and ‘hot’ refueling.
  • Coordinates and maintain a safe flight environment.
  • Maintains flight following procedures.
  • Ensures sterile cockpit compliance.
  • Ensures that base planning documents (NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, Base Supplement, Pilot Briefing and Orientation Guide, Reference Library) are updated as necessary.
  • Ensures all subordinate positions at base are filled as required; if base is approved for hot loading ensures all personnel are trained in those procedures.
  • Conducts daily or more frequent briefings with pilots, other contract personnel, and government incumbents assigned to base.
  • Ensures that all administrative forms and reports are completed according to procedure.
  • Maintains accurate information on all aircraft and aircrews assigned to base.
  • Coordinates all airtanker flights with local dispatcher, ATGS, ATCO, and/or ASGS; obtains daily or more frequent briefings from one or all of these positions regarding mission priorities, quality of retardant, problems, etc.
  • Ensures the maintenance and readiness of all ground facilities, supplies, and services required at the base; ensures pilot and aircraft needs are met.
  • Responsible for regulating the movement of all aircraft, motor vehicles, and personnel on the base.
  • Maintains time and use records on aircraft, equipment, retardant and personnel assigned to the base; provides aircraft use and cost information upon request.
  • Is thoroughly familiar with and enforces all safety requirements of the operation; responsible for maintenance and update of the base’s safety, crash rescue, and incident/accident action plans.
  • Serves as liaison with airport management.
  • Coordinates with IMT air operations as necessary (start-up times, costs, etc.).
  • In conjunction with the agency representative, establishes and maintains safety plans, plant safety and follows the OHSA regulations as they pertain to federal and state entities.
  • Ensures retardant supply meets or exceeds demand.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements (recommended by the NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations)

  • S-130, Basic Firefighter
  • I-200, Basic ICS
  • S-260, Fire Business Management
  • S-270, Basic Air Operations
  • Fixed-wing Base Manager, Mixmaster (locally developed training)
  • Basic fixed-wing Safety (OAS)
  • Airtanker types and capabilities
  • Basic first aid and basic supervision
  • Interagency Aviation Management and Safety
  • Air Base Radio Operator
  • COR/PI Contract administration
  • Fire Ext. Training
  • Hazardous Material training

Last Modified / Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Risk Management Committee Releases Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

Date: November 7, 2024
Contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has released Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires. As wildland fire respirators are available through several established vendors, wildland fire personnel need to understand regulations and limitations of respirator use in the workplace.

Safety Bulletin 24-001 outlines the following topics regarding respirator use for wildland fires:

  • Requirements for Respirator Use
  • Voluntary Respirator Use
  • Current Respirator Options
  • Unknown Risks of Respirator Use

This bulletin also provides mitigation recommendations to help reduce smoke exposure for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

NWCG Smoke Management Guide for Prescribed Fire, PMS 420-3

VIDEO: Protecting Wildfire Personnel from Smoke - How Incident Management Teams Address Smokes Risks

VIDEO: Smoke, Knowing the Risks

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