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Helibase Manager Type 1 (6 or more helicopters)

Position Description

Duties

  • Obtains initial information from dispatch, agency briefing, and supervisor: incident objectives, operations strategy, number and type of helicopters on location or ordered.
  • Establishes helibase: site selection, identify hazards, identify land ownership, and identify communications needs.
  • Identifies organization necessary to manage expected resources.
  • Orders additional aircraft if required by operations group’s tactics.
  • Participates in air operations planning.
  • Prepares resource capability chart.
  • Receives and responds to special requests for logistical and tactical missions.
  • Completes daily review of staffing requirements and reassigns, orders, or demobilizes.
  • Establishes and maintains helibase log.
  • Identifies, inspects, approves and number all helispots. Arranges for construction. Considers limitations by type or mission and HIGE (hover in ground effect)/HOGE (hover out of ground effect).
  • Obtains needed radios.
  • Establishes and monitors dip sites.
  • Develops and posts Medivac Plan.
  • Develops and posts Crash Rescue Plan.
  • Establishes flight following procedures.
  • Identifies flight hazards (wires, cables, local wind, weather phenomena, etc.).
  • Establishes fueling site and procedures.
  • Posts Incident Action Plan (IAP).
  • Establishes traffic pattern for aircraft and vehicles.
  • Checks helitack crewmember qualifications.
  • Develops helibase layout.
  • Ensures duty limitations and day off schedules are adhered to.
  • Provides all required safety equipment.
  • Provides fiscal accountability.
  • Completes daily cost summaries for aircraft and equipment (water trucks, fuels tenders, and other rental equipment).
  • Reviews and approves crew time reports.
  • Provides input for Air Operations Summary (aircraft availability, number of aircraft by type, hours flown, etc.).
  • Shares information on helibase activities, maintenance schedules, breakdowns, etc.
  • Establishes ordering procedures with helibase resources.
  • Provides flight following
  • Supports tactical missions.
  • Provides for airspace coordination.
  • Coordinates with other functional bases.
  • Coordinates with supply unit.
  • Coordinates with ground support unit.
  • Coordinates with finance function.
  • Receives mission priorities and develop schedule based upon IAP.
  • Inspects, approves, and numbers helispots (location, limitations as to type of aircraft).
  • Reviews and implements helibase checklist (medivac plan, crash rescue plan, flight following, flight hazards, communication plan, helibase layout, orders sanitation facilities, provides safety equipment, etc.).
  • Briefs and debriefs aircrews and helitack.
  • Checks pilot aircraft cards, helitack crewmembers qualifications.
  • Establishes approach/departure paths for aircraft.
  • Checks load calculations for accuracy, completeness, and currency.
  • Coordinates with ASGS on input to Air Operations Summary, mission objectives/priorities, and maintenance schedules/breakdowns.
  • Coordinates with ATGS on flight following and support to tactical missions.
  • Manages resource/supplies dispatched to helibase.
  • Insures helibase is posted and cordoned.
  • Manages retardant mixing and loading operations.
  • Insures helicopter fueling, maintenance, and repair services are provided.
  • Insures dust abatement is provided and used at helibase/helispots.
  • Insures security is provided at each helibase/helispots.
  • Span of control involves 4 or more helicopters.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Qualified Helibase Manager Type 2.
  • Ability to communicate clearly and concisely.

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

2024 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service Awards

Date: May 22, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service Awards. Each year, EMC recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated exceptional actions or accomplishments that go above and beyond their normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety and well-being of the wildland fire community. These honors are well deserved.

References:

2024 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

NWCG Emergency Medical Committee

NWCG Welcomes the Incident Management Teams Association as an Associate Member

Date: May 21, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
https://www.nwcg.gov/contact-us

The NWCG Executive Board is honored to announce that the Incident Management Teams Association (IMTA) has joined the National Wildfire Coordinating Group as an associate member.

IMTA is a dedicated group of incident management professionals committed to enhancing the profession by promoting standards and fostering collaboration across federal, state, local, Tribal, and private sector partners throughout all phases of incident management.

“Joining NWCG aligns with our mission to elevate incident management professionals nationwide,” said Dr. Randal Collins, President of IMTA. “This is a proud moment for all of us committed to advancing public safety.”

References:

Incident Management Teams Association

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

Updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

Date: May 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Fire Use Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431 serves as a supplemental resource for wildland fire module operations, providing information frequently used in the field.

PMS 431 defines the organizational structure, staffing, and qualifications for Type 1 and Type 2 Wildland Fire Modules, outlining their roles in wildland fire suppression, prescribed fire, and resource management. The NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431, should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430.

References:

NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

Updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 Now Includes Off-Highway Vehicle Typing Standards

Date: May 13, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee 

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 has been updated to include newly developed Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) typing standards. These standards organize OHV information into logical categories and outline key safety requirements for occupants.

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 establishes minimum typing standards for aircraft, crews, and equipment used in national mobilization to wildland fire incidents. Typing designations are assigned based on measurable capability and performance criteria.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200