Joint AWT and OWT Meeting 5/1/07
Attendees: Jim Ziobro, John Holcomb, Robert Castle, Joe Schramic, Bob Madden, Dick
Gormley, Jim Walker, Larry Nickey, Clay Hillin, Jon Rollens, Gary Sterling, John
Ketchem.
Master Agreement, Operating Plan
Aviation Section: Jim walked us through the Draft. Discussion was covered.
 310-1 Standard
 FEPP Helicopters 2 will be able to be approved for federal use. FS is
asking for a waiver for 18 months to give WADNR time to comply.
 Reciprocal agreements is and area of concern.
 Need to find out with Steve Smith on approval of WADNR aircraft.
Aviation Issues we are working on.
Safety, training and policy differences
Succession planning for teams. Where are people coming from to take on future team
requirements?
The agencies need to push more. We don’t have the people to manage the aircraft. This
applies to operations positions as well. OWT AWT and TWT should come together to
work out some priorities in the ICS system. Brainstorm a strategy to meet future needs to
come up with a letter to the Steering Committee. FS has challenged Mike to come up
with some starting points. Mike will be invited to the OWT meeting in June and brief on
what he is looking at. The AWT is scheduled to meet July 17 and will be briefed on the
outcome.
ATGS Program was discussed for providing coverage and a geographical program. New
jobs are hard to fill. This will provide a system for developing qualified ATGS.
A-76 Planning for the Forest Service. Jon briefed the group on the Forest Service A-76
study that was done last year. Formal report should be forthcoming. 96% Of Forest
Service aviation is already contracted. The Forest Service contracted a company to help
them through the process. Maybe the Forest Service should own more aircraft? Politics
will affect the outcome.
ODF sees that aircraft may be in shortage again this year. Several contracts have been
advertised and they were bid on. The contract required that the aircraft meet federal
standards so that we can use them among other agencies. Other states have not had
bidders on their contracts. Last year the airtankers were required to be available 7 days a
week and were never down. They did their maintenance at night.
WADNR. Out of 25 pilot positions only 4 of the responders are qualified. Many pilots
are going to other jobs with better pay. We are looking very seriously at other states to
trade pilots as seasons allow.
The DC-10 airtanker was used last year. The Columbia Complex was off and running
and nothing else available in the GACC. 5 Personnel and the lead came up and they
dropped 93,000 gallons of retardant in 3 days. It was obtained through EMAC. It was
the right circumstances to use the resource. Will use the aircraft again if the situation
requires it, but will have to have the CDF personnel to help put it to work. It’s a whole
different scenario than what we are used to and people need to be aware of this. Cost
$800,000 to protect $6,000,000 value in timber and residential protection. Media was
questioning the expenditure, but was silenced when compared to benefit.
Other Issues:
WADNR:
9 T2 helicopters are maintained. 4 Cobras 5 Hueys and 3 helitack crews. The plan is to
stage out of Ellensburg and move as warranted. Bases have historically been at Omak,
Colville, Goldendale, and several on the west side. Staffing 6 helicopters per day will be
the main resources for IA. 5th year contract for PBY. EU ATGS out of COF.
ODF 2 at rdm mfr, ASM from AK starting July 1
3 T2 lmt jd lgd can be restricted.
1 T1 Mfr/GP
RBG T2 SW MFR T2, IA ATGS MFR, IA JD ATGS, LMT T3 helitack.
FS:
Same rappel 5 bases 3 T2 2 T3 this year T3 Umatilla NF T3 GP
SMJ Same adding 23 total of 80 50 rdm 30 ncsb. Depends on number of rookies.
AT 16 – 21 with out assigned bases. Same 6 ATB. Troutdale should be back online this
year and the recension of the letter for the base.
SEATs JD turbo thrush, PDT.
T1 – we will host at least 3 or 6 if asked to. Park at existing bases to rotate management.
Willamette, La Grande, JD
Contract
4 EU ATGS platforms working on staffing. RDM, LMT, EAT, LGD
National Ship for JD didn’t get awarded.
Leadplanes will have the same 3 BE-90 for this year.
AWT Issues:
Change helicopter Manager designation and qualifications. Comments to be processed
through agency representatives to IHOPS.