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Southern California

  • Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake/VX-31 SAR
    Geographic Area:
    Southern California
    Source:
    Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake/VX-31 SAR
    FM Radio Programmable:
    Yes
    Make & Model:

    MH-60S (Blackhawk)

    Notes:

    FM Radio Programmable note: VHF, UHF, and handheld KNG-P150. 1)VX-31 / China Lake Station SAR, active Navy unit responsible for R-2508 complex military Search & Rescue.
    Crews are rappel capable and technical rescue capable.  Crews are bambi bucket qualified, but response time for firefighting response will be longer.  
     

    Ordering Procedure:

    GACC or 911 dispatch centers should coordinate requests for military through the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) at phone #: 800-851-3051.

    In parallel with previous ordering procedures, requesting agency can call 760-939-0690 (primary) or 760-382-8938 (secondary mobile) to quickly ascertain response time and aircraft maintenance status. If during the week, aircraft may be airborne and have reduced response time. If no answer on primary, do not leave a message; call secondary number 24/7.Chief Pilot also available 24/7, Eugene Bolton (619) 723-0131.

    Recovery Device or Method:
    Map Location:
    Ridgecrest, CA
    Map Location Number:
    24
  • San Diego Fire Rescue Department
    Geographic Area:
    Southern California
    Source:
    San Diego Fire Rescue Department
    FM Radio Programmable:
    Yes
    Make & Model:

    Bell 212 HP, 412 EP

    Notes:

    Must have prior approval to leave the Unit except on initial attack fires with local neighbors. Rescue is a priority, but agency will not let the helicopter be on standby for a fire rescue/medivac.

    Ordering Procedure:

    GACC or 911 or SDFD Dispatch Center @ 858-974-9891.
    CAL FIRE: Units place order to the GACC and GACC can go direct to San Diego Co.
    Federal: Units place order to the GACC.

    Recovery Device or Method:
    Map Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Map Location Number:
    14
  • Orange County Fire Authority
    Geographic Area:
    Southern California
    Source:
    Orange County Fire Authority
    FM Radio Programmable:
    Yes
    Make & Model:

    Bell 412 EP

    Notes:

    Must have prior approval to leave the Unit except on initial attack fires with local neighbors.

    Ordering Procedure:

    Contact OCFA Emergency Command Center for availability 714-573-6500.
    CAL FIRE: Units place order to the GACC and GACC can go direct to Orange Co ECC.
    Federal: Units place order to the GACC.

    Recovery Device or Method:
    Map Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Map Location Number:
    13
  • San Bernardino Sheriff #2
    Geographic Area:
    Southern California
    Source:
    San Bernardino Sheriff
    FM Radio Programmable:
    Yes
    Make & Model:

    6 A-Star (AS350 B3)

    Notes:

    On recall from 0200-0700 hrs.

    Ordering Procedure:

    0800-1700 hrs: Sheriff’s Aviation (909)252-4100.
    1700-0800 hrs: Sheriff’s Dispatch (909)356-9652.

    Recovery Device or Method:
    Map Location:
    San Bernardino, CA
    Map Location Number:
    10
  • San Bernardino Sheriff #1
    Geographic Area:
    Southern California
    Source:
    San Bernardino Sheriff
    FM Radio Programmable:
    Yes
    Make & Model:

    1-UH1H Super Huey, 1-Bell 212

    Notes:

    On recall from 1800-0800 hrs. Primary rescue aircraft.

    Ordering Procedure:

    0800-1700 hrs: Sheriff’s Aviation (909)252-4100,
    1700-0800 hrs: Sheriff’s Dispatch (909)356-9652.

    Recovery Device or Method:
    Map Location:
    San Bernardino, CA
    Map Location Number:
    10
  • Santa Barbara County Fire Department
    Geographic Area:
    Southern California
    Source:
    Santa Barbara County Fire Department
    FM Radio Programmable:
    Yes
    Make & Model:

    1-Bell (UH-1H) Restricted

    Notes:

    Must have prior approval to leave the Unit except on initial attack fires with local neighbors. Rescue is a priority, but agency will not let the helicopter be on standby for Fire/Rescue.

    Ordering Procedure:

    CAL FIRE: Units place order to the GACC and GACC can go direct to Santa Barbara Co ECC.
    Federal: Units place order to the GACC.

    Recovery Device or Method:
    Map Location:
    Santa Ynez, CA
    Map Location Number:
    8
  • Kern County Fire Department
    Geographic Area:
    Southern California
    Source:
    Kern County Fire Department
    FM Radio Programmable:
    Yes
    Make & Model:

    2-Bell (UH-1H) Restricted Super Hueys, H-407 & H-408

    Notes:

    None

    Ordering Procedure:

    CAL FIRE: Units place order to the GACC and GACC can go direct to Kern Co.
    Federal: Units place order to the GACC. H408 and H407 are statused with South Ops daily
    Contact: ECC at 661-861-2521 (dispatch available 24 hours). Rescue crew: pilot, Hoist operator, rescuer, safety. Available with Helitack crew to run Night Helibase ops.

    Recovery Device or Method:
    Map Location:
    Keene Helibase, 8 miles west of Tehachapi Municipal Airport
    Map Location Number:
    7
  • National Park Service (Sequoia-Kings Canyon)
    Geographic Area:
    Southern California
    Source:
    National Park Service
    FM Radio Programmable:
    Yes
    Make & Model:

    A-Star (AS-350 B3)

    Notes:

    Day missions only. This is a park fire/rescue helicopter. Park very seldom approves helicopter to leave the Park. Exceptions are to assist with boarder fires or rescues that affect the Park. Must have prior approval to leave the park except on IA with neighbors. Rescue is a priority, but agency will not let the helicopter be on standby for a fire rescue/medivac.

    Ordering Procedure:

    Contact: Southern California Geographic Area Coordination Center (OSC) 951-276-6725, or CA-KNP 24hr Dispatch, 559-565-3195, or normal hour’s fire dispatch 559-565-3164. Order through normal ordering procedures. Forest/unit place to GACC, GACC will place to Sequoia/Kings ECC.

    Recovery Device or Method:
    Map Location:
    Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
    Map Location Number:
    6
  • National Park Service (Yosemite)
    Geographic Area:
    Southern California
    Source:
    National Park Service
    FM Radio Programmable:
    Yes
    Make & Model:

    Bell 205

    Notes:

    Day missions only. Must have prior approval to leave the park except on initial attack fires with local neighbors. Rescue is a priority, but agency will not let the helicopter be on standby for a fire rescue/medivac. If on a current rescue, it will not be available until it completes that mission to be available for another mission.

    Ordering Procedure:

    Contact: Yosemite Dispatch, 209-379-1999. Order through normal ordering process. Forest/unit place to GACC, GACC will place to Yosemite ECC.

    Recovery Device or Method:
    Map Location:
    Yosemite, National Park
    Map Location Number:
    5
  • LA County Fire
    Geographic Area:
    Southern California
    Source:
    LA County Fire
    FM Radio Programmable:
    Yes
    Make & Model:

    S70A Firehawk

    Notes:
    Hoist, Short-haul must have prior approval to leave the Unit except on initial attack fires with local neighbors. Rescue is a priority, but agency will not let the helicopters be on standby for a fire rescue/medivac.
    Ordering Procedure:

    LA County Fire Dispatch 1-323-881-6183. CAL FIRE: Units place order to the GACC and GACC can go direct to Los Angeles Co. Federal: Units place order to the GACC.

    Recovery Device or Method:
    Map Location:
    Lancaster, CA; Brackett Airport - LaVerne/Pomona, CA; Malibu, CA; Fire Camp 9 (Sylmar), CA; Barton Heliport Pacoima-Whiteman Airport, CA
    Map Location Number:
    19, 20, 21, 22, 23
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NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Date: May 10, 2024
Contact: IFUASS Qualification and Curriculum Board (IFUASS) 

The 2024 revision of the NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 is now available. PMS 515 standardizes the processes and procedures for interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This publication is now available as a PDF for easy use offline.

References:

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Memorandum 24-003: Removal of Type 1 Command and General Staff (C&G) Incident Position Qualification Pathways

Date: May 10, 2024
Contact: Aitor Bidaburu 

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide NWCG direction for removal of the Type 1 Command and General Staff (C&G) incident position qualification pathways to transition to Complex Incident Management (CIM). Responders may continue to utilize available NWCG pathways to attain Type 1 C&G qualifications until December 31, 2024.

References:

Memorandum 24-003

CIM Story Map

2024 Professional Reading Program

Date: April 26, 2024
Contact: Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP) 

The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program is announcing the 2024 Professional Reading list! The intent of the Professional Reading Program is to promote the reading and discussion of these books throughout the year. Discussion guides are provided and the corresponding Wildland Fire Leadership Levels have been identified.

The five books chosen for this year are: Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean, The Wisdom of the Bullfrog by William H. McRaven, The Art of Clear Thinking by Hasard Lee, Emotional Agility by Susan David, and Writing to Persuade by Trish Hall.

References:

Professional Reading Program

Wildland Fire Leadership Levels

NWCG Training Catalog now on Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Date: April 25, 2023
Contact: NWCG Training  

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) has migrated the training catalog from the NWCG website to the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) as part of our ongoing efforts to streamline processes and improve efficiency. To facilitate this transition, the training catalog remains available on www.nwcg.gov through April 2024.

Starting May 2024, the training catalog will no longer be accessible on www.nwcg.gov. However, you can still access the complete training catalog by logging in as a guest to the WFLP.

References:

Wildland Fire Learning Portal