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Helicopter Coordinator

Position Description

Duties

  • Identifies retardant and foam use restrictions.
  • Ability to perform navigation tasks utilizing maps, GPS/LORAN, plot coordinates latitude and longitude.
  • Confirms TFT status.
  • Locates and confirms flight hazards from the air and relays information to pilots.
  • Identifies and plots topography and landmarks in operation area (dip sites, helispots/bases, drop points, etc.).
  • Establishes ground contact communications.
  • Coordinates tactical helicopter operations.
  • Establishes helicopter priorities to meet incident tactical objectives.
  • Evaluates aircraft capabilities and assigns aircraft to suitable missions.
  • Establish targets and priorities for water drops, assures drop area is clear.
  • Provides clear target descriptions to helicopter pilots.
  • Monitor effectiveness of operations, makes adjustments if necessary, provides feedback to pilots.
  • Maintains positive control of helicopters in operating area, providing ingress/egress routes, flight routes between dip sites and targets, coordination with dip site managers, coordinates logistical flight.
  • Provides intelligence to operations personnel.
  • Enforces agency aviation regulations (contract/rental provisions, flight/duty limitations, sunrise/sunset limitations, etc.).
  • Ensures safe flight conditions and shuts down operations when necessary.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • S-378 ATGS.
  • Qualified Helicopter Manager AND Task Force Leader.
  • Communicate verbally and in writing to relay critical incident information.
  • Function coherently during stressful situations.
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Contact: NWCG Webmaster

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group is thrilled to announce a significant upgrade to https://www.nwcg.gov, involving a comprehensive redesign of over 7,000 web pages. This enhancement is focused on improving user experience. The migration to the new NWCG website will commence on April 2, 2024, starting at noon EST and is expected to take a few hours. 

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WFSTAR 2023 Year in Review and 2024 Core Component Module Packages Available

Date: March 6, 2024
Contact: Joe Schindel 

The 2023 Fire Year in Review module and 2024 Core Component Module Packages for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) are now available on the NWCG website. The 2024 Core Component Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

 

References:

WFSTAR 2023 Fire Year in Review module

WFSTAR 2024 Core Component Module Packages

2024 NWCG Executive Board Annual Letter

Date: March 6, 2024
Contact: NWCG

The NWCG Executive Board is privileged to share with you the 2024 NWCG Executive Board Annual Letter. As we look into the future and navigate an incredibly complex and dynamic environment, we must remain focused on our mission while actively engaging in national conversations regarding numerous wildland fire initiatives. In 2024, we prioritize building upon our successes and committing to continuous improvement. Key priorities and considerations for this year include: 

  • Determining Core Workload
  • Ensuring Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) Success
  • Improving Efficiencies
  • Firefighter Health and Wellness
  • Engagement in National Conversations

Together we will continue to make significant strides in the challenging and vital work that lies ahead. 

 

References:

2024 NWCG Executive Board Annual Letter

NWCG Welcomes NASA

Date: February 22, 2024
Contact: NWCG

NWCG welcomes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as an associate member.

“As wildfires become larger and more frequent, NASA is working to apply our scientific and technological knowledge toward this national challenge, and integral to our approach is forging collaborative partnerships,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy. 

 

References:

NASA News Release

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