Retardant Crewmember

RTCM Incident Position Description

The Retardant Crew Member loads Wildland Fire Chemicals (WFC) into airtankers and reports to the Mix Master (MXMS). The RTCM works in the Air Operations functional area.

Prepare and Mobilize

• Ensure individual readiness.
• Gather critical information pertinent to the assignment.
• Travel to and check in at assignment.
• Review Base Operations Plan and obtain initial briefing from MXMS.

Supervise and Direct Work Assignments

• Establish 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. Develop and implement contingency plans. Communicate changing conditions to assigned resources and supervisor.
• Ensure Daily operational objectives and performance standards are met.
• Monitor performance and provide immediate and regular feedback to assigned personnel.

Perform Retardant Crew Member-Specific Duties

• Report to the MXMS during WFC operations.
• Assist the MXMS in mixing and testing WFC.
• Assist the MXMS in maintaining all WFC mixing, loading, and testing equipment.
• Obtain samples of WFC for Lot Acceptance and Quality Assurance (LAQA) program.
• Load WFC into aircraft.
• Perform hot loading and/or simultaneous fueling and loading if base is approved for these procedures.
• Verify that the pounds of WFC loaded into aircraft do not exceed the load limits as specified by maximum load for aircraft or amount requested by the Pilot-in-Command (PIC).
• Assist Ramp Manager (RAMP) and Fixed Wing Parking Tender (FWPT) with Foreign Object Debris (FOD) abatement.
• Wash WFC off the loading area as directed by supervisor.
• Verify base emergency response and safety procedures; report all hazards and incidents/accidents immediately to MXMS.

Communicate and Coordinate

• Follow established processes and chain of command for collecting, producing, and distributing information.
• Report any hazardous conditions to supervisor and ensure appropriate action is taken.
• Participate in After Action Reviews (AAR).

Manage Risk

• Consider your skill level and limitations and work within them,
• Apply the Risk Management Process as stated in the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461.
• Report all accidents or injuries to supervisor.
• Ensure compliance with all safety practices and procedures for yourself and those around you.

Document

• Complete as required:
  • SAFECOM
  • SAFENET
• Agency-specific forms
  • Crew Time Report (CTR), SF-261 (Watch: How to correctly fill out a CTR)
  • Incident Time Report, OF-288 (Watch: How to Correctly fill out an Incident Time Report)

Demobilize

• Follow demobilization instructions from supervisor.
• Ensure incident and agency demobilization procedures and work/rest standards are followed.