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Helibase Manager Type 1 (6 or more helicopters)

Position Description

Duties

  • Obtains initial information from dispatch, agency briefing, and supervisor: incident objectives, operations strategy, number and type of helicopters on location or ordered.
  • Establishes helibase: site selection, identify hazards, identify land ownership, and identify communications needs.
  • Identifies organization necessary to manage expected resources.
  • Orders additional aircraft if required by operations group’s tactics.
  • Participates in air operations planning.
  • Prepares resource capability chart.
  • Receives and responds to special requests for logistical and tactical missions.
  • Completes daily review of staffing requirements and reassigns, orders, or demobilizes.
  • Establishes and maintains helibase log.
  • Identifies, inspects, approves and number all helispots. Arranges for construction. Considers limitations by type or mission and HIGE (hover in ground effect)/HOGE (hover out of ground effect).
  • Obtains needed radios.
  • Establishes and monitors dip sites.
  • Develops and posts Medivac Plan.
  • Develops and posts Crash Rescue Plan.
  • Establishes flight following procedures.
  • Identifies flight hazards (wires, cables, local wind, weather phenomena, etc.).
  • Establishes fueling site and procedures.
  • Posts Incident Action Plan (IAP).
  • Establishes traffic pattern for aircraft and vehicles.
  • Checks helitack crewmember qualifications.
  • Develops helibase layout.
  • Ensures duty limitations and day off schedules are adhered to.
  • Provides all required safety equipment.
  • Provides fiscal accountability.
  • Completes daily cost summaries for aircraft and equipment (water trucks, fuels tenders, and other rental equipment).
  • Reviews and approves crew time reports.
  • Provides input for Air Operations Summary (aircraft availability, number of aircraft by type, hours flown, etc.).
  • Shares information on helibase activities, maintenance schedules, breakdowns, etc.
  • Establishes ordering procedures with helibase resources.
  • Provides flight following
  • Supports tactical missions.
  • Provides for airspace coordination.
  • Coordinates with other functional bases.
  • Coordinates with supply unit.
  • Coordinates with ground support unit.
  • Coordinates with finance function.
  • Receives mission priorities and develop schedule based upon IAP.
  • Inspects, approves, and numbers helispots (location, limitations as to type of aircraft).
  • Reviews and implements helibase checklist (medivac plan, crash rescue plan, flight following, flight hazards, communication plan, helibase layout, orders sanitation facilities, provides safety equipment, etc.).
  • Briefs and debriefs aircrews and helitack.
  • Checks pilot aircraft cards, helitack crewmembers qualifications.
  • Establishes approach/departure paths for aircraft.
  • Checks load calculations for accuracy, completeness, and currency.
  • Coordinates with ASGS on input to Air Operations Summary, mission objectives/priorities, and maintenance schedules/breakdowns.
  • Coordinates with ATGS on flight following and support to tactical missions.
  • Manages resource/supplies dispatched to helibase.
  • Insures helibase is posted and cordoned.
  • Manages retardant mixing and loading operations.
  • Insures helicopter fueling, maintenance, and repair services are provided.
  • Insures dust abatement is provided and used at helibase/helispots.
  • Insures security is provided at each helibase/helispots.
  • Span of control involves 4 or more helicopters.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Qualified Helibase Manager Type 2.
  • Ability to communicate clearly and concisely.

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) Now Available

Date: Sept 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee 

The S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB) incident qualifications.

This blended course combines online and instructor-led training to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the FIRB, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

S-219, Firing Operations (Blended)

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NWCG Committees Observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Week: September 7-13, 2025

Date: Sep 5, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Mental Health Subcommittee

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) and Risk Management Committee (RMC) recognize the unique challenges and demands faced by the wildland fire community. The MHSC and RMC know that we are all stronger together and believe in fostering a culture of support, understanding, and resilience.

Suicide Prevention Awareness encourages us to actively connect with and support each other. For more information that could make a difference for yourself or someone else please review the materials and resources provided for the 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

References:

2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week Materials and Resources

NEW! Incident Performance and Training Modernization Story Map Now Available

Date: Aug 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG is excited to announce the launch of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) Story Map, a new interactive resource that showcases how NWCG is transforming wildland fire training and qualifications through a performance-based system.

Since its launch in 2023, IPTM has made major strides in updating how we manage incident positions:

  • 36 incident positions now have new Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books available for field use
  • 6 more incident positions are nearing completion
  • 111 total incident positions are being analyzed through the IPTM initiative

The Story Map guides you through the IPTM process, highlights key accomplishments, and outlines what’s ahead. Whether you are a trainer or a trainee, this tool offers valuable insight into the modernization effort shaping the future of wildland fire training and qualifications.

This effort would not be possible without the contributions of NWCG staff, NWCG committees, and hundreds of subject matter experts across the wildland fire community.

References:

IPTM Story Map

Incident Performance and Training Modernization Webpage

NEW! S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) Available Now

Date: Aug 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. S-290 (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components that support individuals working towards any Single Resource Boss or Fire Effects Monitor incident qualifications.

This second course in the series collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills, and provides more detailed information on fuels, weather, and topography that affect wildland fire behavior for safety purposes.

Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended).

References:

S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal