MAFFS Liaison Officer

Introduction

The incumbent is responsible to the National MAFFS Liaison Officer and the Regional or Geographic Area Coordinator (GACC) at the operation location.  This position is the liaison for the using agency or agencies and the military organization supplying retardant delivery service.  The MAFF must be familiar with the governing policies and procedures, as well as military operational assistance programs.

Duties

• Keeps current with operational procedures, equipment, reporting requirements, and technical changes.
• Makes initial contact, establishing communication channels with NICC, Region, AES/CC, MAFFS Airtanker Base Manager, Unit Aviation Officer, Forest FMO, Airport Manager, FAA, IIO, and Military Base Commander.
• Coordinates with local dispatch to: discuss ordering procedures and establish lines of communication; ensure that a MAFFS qualified lead plane is available for each drop, identify local jettison area; obtain ETAs of aircraft, crews, and equipment; arrange for flight following of aircraft inbound and outbound from incidents; obtain or develop flight hazard maps; input accident/incident reports for processing, arrange for fuel for military and lead plans; contact fixed-base operator (FBO) for support; arrange for technical inspections of operation, aircraft, and flight crews;  arrange for maintenance inspections to get aircraft back in service;  discuss and obtain information concerning retardant;  determine air availability; and make contacts on-duty NICC Coordinator and receiving GACC or local hosting unit to determine who will process all subsequent resource and supply orders.
• Orders support personnel consistent with MAFFS Operational Plan guidelines.  Orders copy machine, FAX machine, if host unit cannot provide, Office Supplies Kit, NFES #0760, and Logistics Section Kit, NFES #0910.  Arranges for working space; port-a-potties, tent shelters, cell phones, telephone connections, minimum 6,000 pound forklift with long forks (low mast), automotive and/or diesel fuel for support equipment, etc.
• Meets required daily reporting requirements to NICC and other interested parties as outlined in the MAFFS Operational Plan.  May be called upon to attend, provide or assist in providing the required annual update training needs in accordance with MAFFS Operational Plan.  Coordinates with Air Expeditionary Group Commander (military command and control component), as needed.
• Reviews currency and proficiency records of the MAFFS flight crews with AES/CC.
• Provides/arranges for logistical support within capabilities for personnel assigned to the MAFFS operation, including meals, housing, transportation, etc.
• Checks facilities and arrangements for the military crews with the AES/CC.
• Ensures radios are installed in MAFFS aircraft and that they are operational.
• Ensures that prudent and legal procurement is occurring and that policy and guidelines found in the NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management and agency manuals are being followed.  Identify need for agreements if private land is used.  Provide for fiscal accountability by monitoring:  Daily cost for aircraft and equipment; Porta-potties, generators, mobile offices, or other rental equipment; Portable airtanker bases and mobile retardant bases.
• Ensures that MAFFS maintenance personnel have been ordered, and MLO shall report the Field Service Representative’s (FSR) duty time weekly to the FS National Aviation Maintenance Officer or their designee.
• Obtains necessary information for daily briefings and briefs the MAFFS flight crews and incident air operations, and ground support personnel on fire status and daily ATB operations.
• Ensures compliance with agency and contract requirements.  Monitors pilot flight/duty hour limitations and implement work/rest guidelines.  Ensures testing checks of MAFFS equipment are performed and documented.  Ensures use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements (ramp operations personnel).  Ensures compliance of contract and rental provisions (rental vehicles and equipment).  Monitors accident/incident reporting procedures.
• Coordinates activities of the media in MAFFS operating area and supplies necessary information for news releases after coordination with the AES/CC directly through the IIO.
• Maintains a daily unit log (ICS Form 214) and provides copies to the MAFF file.
• Completes ICS Form 225, Incident Personnel Rating, for each MAFF trainee prior to their release from activation.  Provides a copy to the trainee, and provides a copy to the trainee’s home unit.
• Facilitates debriefings/after action reviews (AARs), appraisal of capabilities, lessons learned and formal report and final cost.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

• Must have a working knowledge of the Memorandum of Understanding between the DOD and USDA/USDI.
• Will be fully familiar with the approved annual MAFFS Operational Plan.
• Due to the complex nature of the military operations, individuals filling this position must have a thorough knowledge of military protocol and command structure.
• Individuals must have a thorough knowledge of the logistics function within ICS.
• Individuals must be able to perform in a dynamic environment under compressed time schedules with little or no direct supervision.
• Individuals must be willing to instruct others (trainees) in the requirements of the job to develop a larger pool of potential candidates for future deployments.
• Must have a practical knowledge of the standard procedures of all aspects of the assignment and extensive training and experience.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely.
• Must have completed: S-130 Firefighter Training, L-180 Human Factors on the Fireline, S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, I-200 Basic ICS, S-260 Interagency Incident Business Management, and S-270 Basic Air Operations, and L-280 Followership to Leadership.
• Must have attended a MAFFS training exercise, FS briefing session with the flight crews and exercise personnel (approximately 2 hours) and flight-line familiarization at a training exercise with the flight crews (approximately 2 hours).

Supervisory Control

The National MAFFS Liaison Officer supervises this position.  However, since the duties of the position are accomplished at a detached airport location and the supervisor is located at NIFC, the individual filling the position is required to make decisions and perform independently using sound judgment to complete assignments and resolve most problems.

The supervisor provides continuing assignments by indicating generally what is to be done, deadlines and priority of assignments/subtasks.

The supervisor assures that finished work is technically sound and in compliance with established procedures.

Guidelines

Guidelines are available, but have gaps in specificity.

The incumbent uses judgment in interpreting and adapting guidelines such as agency policies, regulations, precedents, and work directions for application to specific cases or problems.

Complexity

The work includes various duties involving different and unrelated processes and methods.

Decisions as to what needs to be done depend on the incumbent’s analysis of the issues or particular phase of the assignment to be accomplished.  The incumbent chooses the appropriate course of action from various alternatives.

The work involves conditions that must be analyzed to discern interrelationships.

Scope and Effect

The work involves the execution of specific procedures and tasks that comprise a segment of a broader effort.

The work products affect the reliability, readiness and capability of MAFFS flight crews to accomplish their mission.

Personal Contacts

Contacts are primarily with incident personnel, military members, state and other interagency personnel and officials.

Purpose of Contacts

The purpose of contacts is to plan, coordinate, or advise on work efforts, and to resolve operating problems.

Physical Demands

The work requires moderate physical exertion for extended periods of time in fatiguing conditions.

Work Environment

The work requires moderate risks and discomfort, exposure to high temperatures, dust, smoke, and other weather related stresses.