Air Support Group Supervisor

ASGS Incident Position Description

The Air Support Group Supervisor (ASGS) is responsible for planning and oversight of incident aircraft support functions (helibase, helispot, and fixed-wing airbases). The ASGS supervises the Helibase Manager (HEBM), Airtanker Base Manager (ATBM), Fixed Wing Base Manager (FWBM), and Single Engine Airtanker Manager (SEMG). The ASGS reports to the Air Operations Branch Director (AOBD) and works in the Air Operations functional area.

Prepare and Mobilize

• Ensure individual readiness.
• Obtain and assemble information and materials needed for assignment.
• Gather critical information pertinent to the assignment.
• Travel to and check in at assignment.
• Check in at assigned base of operations and with supervisor.
• Obtain briefing from previous shift/assignment position as necessary.

Build The Team

• Conduct self in a professional manner.
• Establish and communicate chain of command, reporting procedures, risk management processes, radio frequency management, and aviation operational strategy.
• Attend incident briefings if possible and obtain daily Incident Action Plan (IAP) or relevant plans and incident maps for the duration of incident.
• Establish a common operating picture with supervisors and subordinates.
• Establish cohesiveness among assigned resources.

Supervise and Direct Work Assignments

• Identify, analyze, and use relevant situational information to make 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.
• Monitor performance and provide immediate and regular feedback to assigned personnel.

Perform Air Support Group Supervisor-Specific Duties

• Gather situation intelligence related to air operations.
• Coordinate with incident AOBD to recommend termination of an existing Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) and/or when the dimensions of the TFR should be changed.
• Identify primary and additional helibases, helispots, dip sites, and other additional operational bases.
• Coordinate contracts and agreements with Finance/Administration section when private land is used for air operations.
• Assist in developing the Air Operations Summary Worksheet (ICS-220) and provide to air support group and fixed-wing bases.
• Assist in developing the Incident Radio Communications Plan (ICS-205).
• Provide and schedule fixed-wing aircraft for reconnaissance, mapping, and infrared.
• Ensure compliance with agency and contract aviation requirements: pilot duty hours/limitations, work/rest guidelines, load calculations, operations checklists, and carding procedures, etc.
• Coordinate with local dispatch center to obtain estimated times of arrival (ETAs) of aircraft, crews, and equipment, to ensure flight following of aircraft inbound and outbound from incident, and to coordinate technical inspections of operation, aircraft, and flight crews.
• Brief the HEBM and FWBM on daily incident plans.
• Support and manage helibase and helispot operations and personnel.
• Ensure fiscal accountability by monitoring daily cost for aircraft and equipment, portable airtanker bases, and mobile retardant base.
  • Coordinate and obtain information concerning retardant including aircraft costs per day and aircraft availability per day.
  • Complete narrative and documentation for final fire package.

Communicate and Coordinate

• Brief subordinate staff.
• Request special air support items from appropriate sources through Logistics section.
• Establish communications and exchange necessary briefings/information with the following:
  • Support resources
  • Adjacent resources
  • Supervisor
  • Other Incident Command System (ICS) functional areas
• Inform AOBD of special aircraft and/or pilot restrictions.
• Coordinate with Logistics section on supply needs, ground support, facilities, communication, etc.
• Obtain support services for communications equipment.
• Coordinate with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to obtain temporary towers and ensure adequate FAA certified radios are available for use. Ensure Notice to Airmen (NOTAMS) are in place.
• Coordinate with Fixed-Base Operators (FBO) or airport managers.
  • Notify of need for fuel, maintenance services, operations, and crew staging.
  • Notify of possible closure and/or controlled or restricted airspace.
  • Give radio frequencies, if appropriate.
  • Obtain space for FAA controllers.
  • Arrange area of operation at airport for temporary retardant base, staging area for mobilization/demobilization, and aircraft parking (for days off, maintenance, etc.).
  • Notify of increase in air traffic.
• Ensure subordinates understand assignment for operational period.
• Conduct functional area briefings and After Action Review (AAR).

Manage Risk

• Provide for the safety and welfare of assigned resources.
• Apply the Risk Management Process as stated in the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461:
  • Identify Hazards
  • Assess Hazards
  • Develop Controls and Make Risk Decisions
  • Implement Controls
  • Supervise and Evaluate
• Provide medevac information for incident.
• Plan for medical emergencies. Ensure that assigned resources are prepared to execute the Medical Plan (ICS 206 WF). Manage the medical emergency based on procedures stated in the IAP, Medical Incident Report, or other relevant guidelines.
• Manage Helicopter Coordinator (HLCO)/Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS) relief staffing using relief guidelines addressing fatigue, effectiveness, and safety.
• Manage flight emergencies according to procedures in the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505.
• Manage missing aircraft/aircraft mishap situation according to procedures in the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505.
• Identify and appropriately act on hazardous situations to incident aircraft.
• Submit accident/incident reports with pertinent forms (SAFECOM, SAFENET, agency-specific forms) through established chain of command.

Document

• Ensure individual and pilot familiarity with the basic terms of the procurement agreement/contract and payment documents.
• Complete appropriate payment documents daily.
• Compile daily statistics and provide to appropriate supervisor.
• Complete, authorize, ensure timeliness of, and route as required:
  • Crew Time Report (CTR), SF-261 (Watch: How to correctly fill out a CTR)
  • Incident Personnel Performance Rating (ICS 225 WF).
  • SAFECOM.
  • Agency-specific forms.

Demobilize

• Assist in development and implementation of incident demobilization plan.
• Coordinate planned release of aviation assets with the local dispatch, geographic area aircraft coordinators, and/or national aircraft coordinators.
• Plan for demobilization. Brief assigned resources on demobilization procedures and responsibilities. Ensure incident and agency demobilization procedures are followed.
• Anticipate demobilization, identify excess resources, coordinate with operations to prepare demobilization schedule, and communicate with supervisor.
• Upon demobilization, report status to home unit including reassignment or estimated time of arrival (ETA) to home unit.