Aircraft Base Radio Operator
ABRO Incident Position Description
The Aircraft Base Radio Operator (ABRO) serves as a member of an aircraft base staff, assisting the Helibase Manager (HEBM), Airtanker Base Manager (ATBM), and/or Fixed Wing Base Manager (FWBM) in the performance and completion of aircraft missions. The ABRO reports to the HEBM, ATBM, and/or FWBM and works in the Aviation functional area.
Prepare and Mobilize
- Ensure individual readiness.
- Gather critical information pertinent to the assignment.
- Travel to and checks in at assignment.
- Review Base Operations Plan and obtain initial briefing from supervisor.
Build the Team
- Conduct self in a professional manner.
- Establish and maintain positive interpersonal and interagency working relationships.
- Use Incident Command System (ICS) terminology, organization, and command structure.
- Participate in proficiency checks and drills.
- Calculate amount and type of additional supplies and equipment required and obtain through established ordering procedures. Ensure adequate staffing is in place for anticipated or expected activity.
Lead, Supervise, Direct
- Model leadership values and principles. Provide positive influence. Emphasize teamwork.
- Follow and communicate objectives, priorities, work assignments, and performance expectations.
- Identify, analyze, and use relevant situational information to make more informed decisions and take appropriate actions.
- Adjust actions based on changing information and evolving situation awareness. Communicate changing conditions to assigned resources and supervisor.
Perform Aircraft Base Radio Operator Position-Specific Duties
- Assist supervisor in ensuring operational readiness of aircraft base.
- Check functionality of assigned radios prior to daily operations.
- Operate multiple radios (AM, FM, VHF) simultaneously.
- Verify radio frequencies daily with supervisor and notify them if additional frequencies are needed.
- Use current flight following software.
- Flight follow aircraft using the identified procedures and maintain a log of aircraft takeoffs, landings, estimated time of arrival (ETA), estimated time of departure (ETD), and flight route check-ins.
Communicate and Coordinate
- Communicate using ICS terminology and clear text.
- Obtain daily or more frequent briefings from supervisor.
- Coordinate aircraft departures from base with appropriate aerial supervision or dispatch.
- Maintain communication with appropriate incident functions including, but not limited to dispatch, logistics, helispots, or incident aircraft.
- Follow established processes and chain of command for collecting, producing, and distributing information.
- Communicate changing conditions to supervisor.
- Participate in daily briefing and/or functional area briefings and After Action Review (AAR).
Manage Risk
- Apply the Risk Management Process as stated in the Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461:
- Identify Hazards.
- Assess Hazards.
- Develop Controls and Make Risk Decisions.
- Implement Controls.
- Supervise and Evaluate.
- Report hazards, injuries, incidents, and accidents to supervisor immediately.
- Review the helibase crash rescue plan, incident medical plan, NWCG Aviation Mishap Response Guide, PMS 503, and/or local emergency response plan and compete a scenario-based exercise for overdue aircraft, missing aircraft, or other aviation mishaps. Manage the medical emergency based on procedures stated in the Medical Incident Report, helibase crash rescue plan, and/or other relevant guidelines.
- Implement the SAFECOM process when necessary.
Document
- Complete, authorize, ensure timeliness of, and route as required:
- Aviation forms, reports, and requisitions
- Mission request logs
- Radio logs
- Aircraft timekeeping forms
- Crew Time Report (CTR), SF-261 (Watch: How to correctly fill out a CTR)
- Incident Personnel Performance Rating (ICS 225 WF)
- General Message (ICS 213)
- Activity Log (ICS 214)
- SAFECOM
- SAFENET
- Agency-specific forms
- Ensure forms/logs are appropriate to assignment complexity.
- Acquire and post necessary materials and documents in the work area for reference.
Demobilize
- Follow demobilization instructions from supervisor.
- Check out with incident or dispatch to demobilize.
- Ensure incident and agency demobilization procedures and work/rest standards are followed.
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Page Last Modified / Reviewed:
2021-07-12