PNWCG Aviation Working Team Meeting
February 6, 2002
.Gifford Pinchot NF Supervisors Office
10600 NE 51st Circle
Vancouver, WA
Minutes
Meeting starts at 0900
Members present: Jim Ziobro, ODF; Clay Hillan, BLM; Jim Payne, USFS; Dave Doan, WDNR; Sandra LaFarr, USFS;
Ted Stevens, BIA;
Topic
Member
Time Required
Clay Hillin
0+30
SEAT Proposal
Clay gave a power point presentation to the BOD for BLM/USFS. They wanted to keep the SEATS local assets. Talk of
different alternatives such as support for other agencies if they wanted their own SEATS. Managers needed the SEATS to be
managed at the local level. Proposal did not come across as something managers could support. ODF could not support the
SEAT program either due to local funding and regional control issues. BIA supports regional concept but collectively, but it is
not going to go that way at this time. AWT will drop the proposal. It would be a waste of the Steering Committees' time to
pursue the issue any further. A letter from AWT Chair to Steering Committee will be sent indicating the AWT will not
forward the SEAT proposal due to lack of interest on the part of BLM, USFS, BIA and ODF.
802 Proposal
Dave Doan
0+15
Private proposal, for floats on a SEAT. 802 would reduce need for second SEAT in areas that had lakes in the area. May
reduce turn around time, but the proposal was cancelled due to not penciling out.
Aviation Safety Update
·
FS Accident Investgators Guide
Did not attend meeting due to another commitment. Cancelled.
Bill Bulger
Discuss AWT Annual Report to PNWCG Steering Committee
Jim Ziobro
·
PNWCG Steering Committee Tasking -develop process for identifying and resolving of differences on aviation issues
on an incident. (How to deal with issues like Virginia Lake)
0+30
1+00
-Can develop process for dealing with issues. Fall down at Agency Administrator level. There will always differences in
policy on interagency incidents. Letters of Delegation of Authority and education are the keys. Decision Matrix for Aviation
Policy is only a guide.
-Tasking not clear from PNWCG. We would like a formal Letter of Tasking, identifying specific objectives, what they want
addressed, what resources we have to work with, and when they want it.
-Independent of their request we are developing 3 case studies of incidents with aviation issues, what problems ands how to
resolve them.
-WDNR found that the State Fire Marshal got involved in the fire fighting efforts on the Virginia Lake fire. The State Fire
Marshal, seemed to be involved in things that they did not have the authority to do. There seems to be a lot of confusion over
issue.
-We are sending the issue back to the PNWCG Steering Committee. We would like the PMWCG BOD to clarify the policy
and procedures when they mobilize aviation resources. Are the aviation resources under the direction of IMT, or Sheriff, or
who. How does the BOD envision how the resources of the Fire Marshal work with in our system. Formally go back to
PNWCG and request a review of the polices and procedures of STATE Fire Marshal in Washington State. They are unclear,
and confusing.
-Do we consider only fire issues or all risk.
-Notify PNWCG that we are ceasing and further work on SEAT proposal due to lack of interest on the part of agencies on a
PNW GAC SEAT Proposal.
Aviation Policy Power Point- Review & update
Jim Payne
0+30
Jim P. Updated presentation.
Clay Hillan went over Corroll Creek Case Study. To be used as a learning tool with presentation. Idea is to provide a
tool that can identify points for learning. Take advantage of the teachable moment. Designed to be used by the presenter
in the presentation of real cases. The scenario needs to tailored to the target audience. Could be made into a generic
scenario as a training tool.
Jim Z. will to provide a case study for Monument Complex and maybe Quartz Creek fire. Dave Doan will provide a case
study on Virginia Lake Fire.
Policy Matrix Update- Review & update
Clay Hillin
0+15
-Latest and greatest. Lead sentence should be changed to clarify that the matrix only summarizes agency policies. The actual
policies are contained in agency manuals. If there are any errors or edits contact PNWCG AWT Representative. If there is a
question on a specific policy, people should to go to specific policies and procedures of the agency in question.
Aviation Training Schedule- review & update AWT reps
Jim Ziobro
0+15
-Aviation Workshop- Portland, February 25 - Jim Z. Clay Hillan, Steve Rossiter, Sandra LaFarr.
st
-Air Cluster in Spokane- April 1 , - Jim Z., Clay H. possibly;
-ACE Class in San Diego, Dave Doan is going.
-HEMG class in Winachee, -HEMG Workshop -Eugene 16-18th - April, Jim Ziobro
-ATGS Workshop in Redmond - Jim Z., Jim Payne March 19th.
-Fire Management Leadership- 18th April, Jim Z., Jim P.,
ATGS Task Group - review & approve objectives and tasking
Jim Payne
0+30
Waiting for BLM rep.
Need to clarify what they need to do. What do we call the group? The group will work under the umbrella of PNWCG, and
AWT. The group will be a standing group working on ATGS issues. On possible name could be ATGS Oversight
Committee.
At the National level there is a USFS ATGS Committee. It is unknown what other agencies are doing. NWCG is producing
an Interagency ATGS Guide. It is in draft form at this point. It directs for a National ATGS committee. PNWCG Comm.
USFS rep will serve on the FS group and other agency reps would serve on agency specific groups if they exist.
Name of the group will be : PNWCG ATGS Advisory Committee
Objectives:
J.P.- based on guidance from PNWCG AWT and Interagency Guide1) To standardize policies and procedures to the extent possible. Via PNWCG AWT Working Team. ( relative to ATGS),
2)
Coordinate standardized training, qualifications, and issue resolution. This group would champion ATGS training to
other training groups with in PNWCG.
3) Promote accident prevention through quality aerial supervision.
Tasking:
1) Identify ATGS program differences, policies, procedures , quals., training etc.
2) Recommend changes leading to standardization,
3) Identify and develop recommendations to resolve issues, concerns, opportunities on file (SAFECOMS, IMT closeouts,
etc)
4) Support on-going IA efforts toward ATGS training, recruitment, Quals., utilization with in the PNW.
STAT Letter of Delegation - Review and Revise
Jim Payne
0+30
-discussion on the language of the Letter of Authority. ODF has a difficult time with language in last paragraph.
Language will be adjusted to clarify STAT Team role on ODF Fires, to recommend to IC or AOBD, instead of authority to
suspend operations.
Other language was also revised to better reflect the STAT Team mission, in briefs, conference calls, and procedures. Also
change language to include pertinent Safety and policy information for specific agencies. Ken Ross is the keeper of the STAT
Team briefing package. Any additions to the package need to sent to Ken.
Put together a White Paper on STAT Teams on what they are, what they do, what they are all about, and post this letter on the
WEB site.
Frequency guide - Status update
Jim Payne
0+30
2000 copies were distributed last year. It will be available electronically. Bill Shelby from Redmond Smokejumpers will
have it out for QC by 1st of March. Also an Air-to air frequency will also be added to each page. Working Team feed back
on QC back by 1st of April. Final distribution by 1st of MAY. In Microsoft word, or Adobe Acrobat format.
Dave Doan is working on a committee that is writing the PQS Book for the new HEMG under 310-1. Needs input by 15th of
FEB 02.
New IHOG is in print.
NEXT MEETING : 8 May 02, GP NF Supervisors Office, 0900 Gifford Pinchot Room.