PNWCG Aviation Working Team
Meeting Minutes
05/29/03
Members Present: Dave Doan WADNR, Jim Ziobro ODF, Jon Rollens USFS, Clay
Hillin BLM, Greg Zopetti USFWS, Steve Rossiter BIA,
Guests- Shuan Pierce ONG, Tim Kelly ONG, Bruce Noble BCFS, Julie Stewart USFS,
Introductions- Welcomed the ONG and BCFS in an ongoing effort to coordinate PNW
air resources and iron out issues concerning interagency response to incidences.
Clay puts the minutes on the PNWCG website. I want to thank Clay for this duty that he
graciously accepts. Clay handed out the revised Matrix and will get it posted on website
as well.
The chair has accepted the responsibility to forward our charter changes to the PNWCG
Steering committee for approval.
Discussed briefly the hazardous materials transport issue and the Federal Agency
exemption. Steve Rossiter said it was too late for anyone to get on exemption. It must be
done 60 days in advance of expiration which is in December. ( Note: subsequently the
DNR has found policy dated in 1991 that it abides by and what to do when traveling
commercial. We do not need to tag onto the Federal letter. DD-DNR)
ATGS program discussed briefly It was agreed that we would continue to work on this
program at a regional level and tie in with the national group. We will resurrect the
advisory team. Note: The chair had the opportunity to attend the newly established 4 day
ATGS re-currency training that was put on in Boise by Federal agencies. I can report that
they are on the right track. Some improvements need to be made but overall the concept
was excellent. Will report to group at next meeting.
Dave Doan brought SMEG training and certification. Wearing two hats, so as Western
Area Aviation managers chair he reported that the western states did not feel the BLM
training and certification program should be put into 310-1 without further input from
states. Indication was that it was a done deal ( same as HELB) yet this AWT has not had
the opportunity to discuss. We feel it is important that we be part of negotiation even
though the training team apparently is the lead. The issue of how we know what is going
on in other teams needs to be addressed.
Chair will draft letter to Steering Committee addressing the need for liaisons between
working teams so that issues are addressed in appropriate committee and we get the
proper team interactions.
Discussion on fire traffic area. FTA. Consensus was that we in the PNW should adopt the
California FTA as is. Chair will write another letter (where’s the secretary) to PNWCG
acknowledging our concurrence to the FTA as published. (NOTE: the Fta and powerpoint
are on Julie Stewart’s website)
Oregon National Guard presented their program and brought up some issues.
1. There are some cross state border issues. Western states working out.
2. Need to resolve the helo manger issues for guard ships.
3. They will stand down till carding issues get resolved.
4. If incident managers can’t decide what to do with them send them home, don’t
make them sit and wait.
5. Last in 1st out.
6. Need to resolve differences in policy between states and USFS on how to handle
guard ships. Since mostly and Fed thing USFS will take lead.
7. Need a liaison system for guard.
8. AWT should be more involved in problem solving during incidents.
9. Need to establish procedures for calling out Medivac
A short discussion involved access to water for practice. It is becoming more of a
problem. Is this something the team or PNWCG should be more deeply involved in. I
was recently asked by my supervisors to research this particular subject from an
emergency point of view and it seems to come back to the fact that we can pretty much
use anything in an emergency but when it came time to cite a basis for it, no-one could
come up with definitive policy or regs. My research indicated that when it came to mopup that we could be on thin ice as far as ability to access private for water. The DNR is
still looking at this issue. Is there other knowledge out there. Rocky Hull fire actually had
some lawsuits over water rights and it appears this is how some water rights have been
established in the past.
Julie Stewart spoke to the AMICC issue. This is known as Air and Marine Interdiction
Coordinating Center. There is still nothing in writing but Julie soon will be meeting face
to face with the people to line out what is going on. Biggest question appears to be when
we go RED. Based on current understanding the ordering agency will be contacting
AMICC. The dispatch center in Northeast Region DNR (Colville) has already worked out
the details to do this with phone number and fax. We’ll hopefully tie this all together
shortly.
Bruce Noble led a discussion of the BC air tanker operations. Bruce recapped their
capacities and operations and willingness to support our needs.
The following issues were discussed.
1. Reviewed guidelines and it was agreed that Canadian leads still would not lead
US tankers but this would be revisited on a case by case basis as necessary. Other
statement about Rocky Mts just needed to be deleted.
2. Operation between Canadian and Us Air attack just needs to be sure when one
transfers to the other that there is a definite positive handoff with proper definition
of goals and use at that time.
3. Reload issue seems to have settled on WADNR shoulders or the States to set this
up since it goes through the States Northwest Compact. We seem to have that
worked out with customs but will need to revisit this due to AMICC.
100% agreement that our task order (9909-18) from the steering committee to update
them monthly on the status of aviation resources is not necessary and definitely should
not be in the form of a safety alert! We will continue with spread sheet format and update
as definte changes occur. Chair will get back to them on this.
Clay Hillin brought up the Master agreement and operating plan and wanted to know if
group wanted to discuss. It was agreed this should be done through individual agencies
but group agreed to recommend that no change to operating plan at this time and agree to
proposed changes in the master agreement. ( I did this for our agency) This will be told
to the steering committee.
July 8th is the next meeting date. Same place and time.
Awtminutes052903