2008/09 Fire SeasonPreseason Briefing

Welcome and outline

• Season 2007/08 in review.• State Aircraft Unit/State Air Desk.• Fireline and agency related occurrences.• OHS and fatigue management.• Management and administration:

– IFAC and complex aircraft fundamentals.• Communications.• State Aircraft Unit program delivery.• State Fleet and Call When Needed resources.• Documentation.• Innovation and continuous improvement.• AIIMS Air Operations Unit.• Passenger transport operations. • Fireground safety.• Accidents and emergency procedures.

Season 2007/08 in review

• Aircraft on line:– 34 contract State Fleet aircraft;– 3070 hours flown by State Fleet aircraft.

• No injuries.• 26 occurrences - a number still being

investigated.

Season 2007/08 in review (1)

Season 2007/08 in review (2) Yearly statistical comparison

• Bendoc 5 Lightning Tk 82 hrs $ 10,086 /ha• Bendoc 8 Mountain Ck 71 hrs $ 20,392 /ha• Heyfield 8 Blue Rag 118 hrs $ 6,697 /ha• Murrindindi 21 Royston Dam 58 hrs $ 6,319 /ha• Nowa 15 Mt Victoria 82 hrs $ 5,157 /ha• Nowa 16 Tara Kanni 41 hrs $ 56.50 /ha• Region 15 Elaine 62 hrs $ 399 /ha• U Murray 18 Mt Elliot 86 hrs $ 467 /ha• Horsham 8 Little Desert 70 hrs $ 6.28 /ha• Yarram 6 Lilly Pilly Gully 25 hrs $ 3,191 /ha• Yarram 18 Snake Island 83 hrs $ 157 /ha

Season 2007/08 in review (3) Major fires - hours flown and costs/ha

Season 2007/08 in review (4) What went well

• Aircraft supply and logistical support.• Dispatch and coordination.• Use of Type 1 helo/bucket with retardant.• Remote floating collar/bucket operations.• Aerial incendiary machine reliability.• S61 rappel trial. • S61 tank tests.

State Aircraft Unit & State Air Desk

State Aircraft Unit & State Air Desk (1)State Aircraft Unit

• Joint agency unit of CFA and DSE to manageall aviation matters for the agencies and partners in Victoria.

• The primary objective is to create a “one stop shop” for all aspects of coordination and management of aviation resources and activities.

• Review of SAU business:– Clarify direction, restructure, new positions.

State Aircraft Unit & State Air Desk (2)State Aircraft Unit staff

Manager, SAU

SAU Training & Safety Manager

SAU Procurement & Business Services

Manager

SAU Aviation Services Manager

SAU Aviation Equipment and Training Officer

SAU Aviation Technical Officer – Audit, Analysis

& Systems Review

SAU Management Services Officer

SAU Technical Systems Coordinator

SAU Systems Specialist Assistant

SAU Innovation Officer

SAU Aviation Support Officer (CFA Position)

David Craig

Nick Ryan

Adam Damen Bryan Rees Barry Scott Hayden Biggs

Taina Scott Guy Coward Graeme Briggs

Eain McRae David Paton

State Aircraft Unit & State Air Desk (3)State Air Desk

• State Air Desk operational arm of SAU.• Staffed jointly by CFA and DSE personnel.• Deploys all State aircraft requests.• Monitors all fire aircraft operations.• Assists in the coordination/movement of state

resources and personnel to support operations.• Provision of technical specialists eg. FLIR.• Specialist advice and ensures adherence to

agency policy and procedures.• Provides flight following where required.

State Aircraft Unit & State Air Desk (4)State Air Desk

• 24 hours 7 days:– 1 X SAC - strategic overview - 24 hrs;– 2 X DAO - daily operational management - 24

hrs;– 1 X DAO - PAX. - 24 hrs.

• Fleet resources:– State Fleet and CWN resources;– Interstate and NAFC resources;– PAX charter.

• Additional support:– DSE - Maurie Grealy, Steph Carr, Bec Sullivan;– PV - Rob Jarvis;– CFA - Chris Olney, Matt Taranto, Wayne Rigg.

Fireline & agency related occurrences

Fireline & agency related occurrences (1) Occurrence summary

• 26 reported occurrences:– Blade strike - Bell 212;

• Tank system testing late in day;–Over emphasis on preparedness and

operational serviceability;–Low sun angle;–Unfamiliar with site/obstacles/hazards;–Fixated on test, loss of situational

awareness.• Two weeks loss of service.

– Engine failure Cessna 337;• Oil full flow adapter failed resulting in loss of

power to rear engine.

• 2 separate incidents where fireline vehicles have been hit with retardant.

– Situational awareness critical for all involved ie. those on the fire ground to stay clear and AAS to monitor location of all ground personnel.

Fireline & agency related occurrences (2) Fire suppression occurrence summary

Fireline & agency related occurrences (3)Non-fire suppression occurrence summary

• 2 x sling loading occurrences:– Pilot accidentally released load after arming

system; – Load released after encountering turbulence.

• Aerial Driptorch strike:– Operating excessively low over burn area, the

drip torch was damaged after striking vegetation.

• Crew departed helicopter uphill under turning rotors.

OHS & fatigue management

OHS & fatigue management (1)OHS reporting cards

• Provide to supervisor:– Air base manager, aircraft officer, air attack

supervisor.• All reported “aviation occurrences” will be

listed on the SAU webpage.• Aim to investigate:

– Outcomes and any recommendations for improvement.

• Small number have been investigated and completed. Rest still required to be resolved.

OHS & fatigue management (2)OHS reporting cards

OHS & fatigue management (3)Fatigue management

• Aviation environment:– Requires attention to detail;– Vigilance and accuracy.

• Concentration can lead to:– Fatigue;– Reduction in human performance.

• Pilots of aircraft required to work to specific flight and duty time limitations:– Usually specific to the particular aircraft

company;– Civil Aviation Order 48 (with exemptions)

prescribes the details for pilots with regards to tactical fire fighting.

OHS & fatigue management (4)Fatigue management

• Pilots are responsible for notifying aircraft officers of pilot rotations and duty time issues. No “private deals”.

• State Air Desk to be notified of pilot rotations or unavailability by contract manager.

OHS & fatigue management (5) Fatigue management – agency (DSE/DPI/PV) personnel

• Six days on duty followed by two days of rest.• Maximum of 72 hours “on duty” over six days. Including

days where you are not assigned to an airborne role. (Every effort should be made to avoid holding personnel at airbases for briefing and debriefing unnecessarily - sometimes this cannot be avoided).

• Maximum of 40 hours in an airborne role (flight time) in six days.

• Maximum of 10 hours in an airborne role (flight time) in any one day.

• Briefing Note Number 16 - 03 January 2007Recommended work and rest arrangements for aviation (non pilot) personnel who have airborne roles.

• Aimed at minimising AOD related risks in the performance of safety - sensitive aviation activities.

• Effective on 23/09/2008.• SAU partner agencies employ aviation Safety

Sensitive Personnel (SSP) which includes all agency staff, pilots and engineers etc “airside” performing an airborne or ground support role.

• SSP will be subject to random testing by CASA or their agents.

• SSP will be required to comply with a legitimate request for testing and to provide required personal details.

OHS & fatigue management (6)CASA Drug and Alcohol Management Program (DAMP)

• Positive tests dealt with by CASA as individuals under the legislation as well as with agency.

• Will be required by leave the immediate operational area.

• Limits for cocaine, cannabis, opioids, amphetamines ("Illicit Drugs") and benzodiazepines below the relevant "confirmatory target concentrations" set out in the Australian/NZ Standards.

• Limits for blood alcohol content ("BAC") of below 0.02%.

• SAU Briefing Note Number 27 - 10 September 2008 Introduction of CASA Drug and Alcohol Management Legislation.

OHS & fatigue management (7)CASA Drug and Alcohol Management Program (DAMP)

OHS & fatigue management (8)Welfare

• Once deployed - accommodation, meals and transport provided by IMT via Aircraft Officer.

• Pilots responsible for alcohol and non-operational costs.

• Aircraft Officer to be advised of engineers requiring accommodation - IMT will assist where possible but it is contractor responsibility.

• Logistics section (via Aircraft Officer) to assist with organising accommodation/meals - start arranging early.

Management & administration

Management & administration (1)

Preparedness protocols

• Seasonal Preparedness:– SAU facilitates:

• Aircraft availability - weekly teleconference;• CFA and DSE operations.

• State Preparedness Plan:– Agreed by both agencies, daily - joint iECC;– Four levels of preparedness dependant on

risk and FDI’s and agency requirements;– Includes aircraft, personnel and support;– Repositioning protocols.

• Additional tactical CWN aircraft on standby - approved by both agency State Coordinators.

• Requests:– SAD 24hr duty number - 1300 13 4144 - NOT

VIC FIRE;– Requester needs to have understanding of

current aircraft availability; – Requests handled by State Air Desk.

• Phone call to 24hr. number for:– State Fleet Aircraft/tactical/CWN/pax transport

requests;– From authorised agency person;– Fax for all non-fire suppression requests and

transport aircraft or pre planned bookings.

Management & administration (2)Request and dispatch procedures

Management & administration (3)

Request and dispatch procedures

• All State Fleet aircraft dispatch via SAD even if request originates from aircraft’s “home” location.No self activation, no pilot pressure “got to go”.

• Location/comms details provided on deployment.

• All State Fleet aircraft shall call SAD on departure.

• Regional light fixed wing aircraft deployed locally. Agency staff advise SAD on deployment.

• Automatically monitor Fire - CTAF 132.55 unless advised by SAD.

• Release by IC only - confirm release “home” to SAD.

Management & administration (4)

Fire - Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (F-CTAF)

• FIRE - COMMON TRAFFIC ADVISORY FREQUENCY (F-CTAF):– Used for broadcast/separation calls when operating

in the vicinity of designated fire areas and agency operational airbase (non CTAF);

– Mandatory 5nm call required on Fire-CTAF on approach to the operational fire area and airbase;

– Designated specific frequencies;– 132.55 Priority #1 Fire-CTAF;– Used for tactical communications.

• Calls will be required on both Fire-CTAF and CTAF where fire area and/or airbases are within designated airport CTAF.

CTAF & Fire CTAF Clarification

• SAD dispatches aircraft to Incident Controllers:– IC deploys, manages, supervises, supports aircraft as

required.• Reallocation between regional/area incidents:

– Mandatory coordinated by a IFAC Aircraft Coordinator/Air Operations Manager;

– Assists with reassignment of resources;– Request additional aircraft via IFAC or region/area from

SAD.• Aircraft can be redeployed on multiple incidents within local

area (region/area/district) area in consultation with IC’s:– Immediate notification to the region/area/SAD of

reallocation.• Can be redeployed to new ignition incidents within

geographic area in consultation with IC’s:– Immediate notification to the region/area/SAD of

reallocation.

Management & administration (5)IFAC and complex scenario fundamentals

Management & administration (6)

Use of interstate aircraft

• Cross border arrangements:– Mutual support/response zones.

• Requests for interstate aircraft via SAD:– Must be registered on CWN data base.

• SAD negotiates release from other State:– SAD advises incident.

• All operations in accordance with Air Operations Manual and supplements.

• Agency personnel not to undertake operations not specified in Victorian Air Operations Manual and supplements.

Management & administration (7)Cross border arrangements

• Verify if one exists:– Mutual support/response zone;

• Distance/assets.• Understand the requirements.• Determine who will be the requesting agency:

– Land manager/delegates.• Determine who will be paying!

– Individual agency.• Required to send a module of resources:

– Tactical aircraft and supervision.• Operations must be supervised:

– Air Operations Manual.• Identify who is responsible for the support:

– Preparedness arrangements.

Management & administration (8)Flight Operations Returns (FORs)

• Things we want to see:– All columns completed.– Flight times correct and calc’s accurate.– Departure and destination/fire name:

• Destination - local area/Lat. and Long.– Suppressants used - water/foam/retardant:

• Location of hover fill points;• Volumes pick ups.

– Fuel usage:• Operator/DSE/contract.

– Authorised officers to check and assist:• Expedient process during invoicing.

Management & administration (9)Flight Operations Returns (FORs)

Management & administration (10)

Air Attack Supervisor Operational Report cards

• AAS cards required to be completed on a per incident per day basis.

• Data used to assess effectiveness of operations.

• Bushfire CRC research - Evaluation of Aerial Suppression Techniques and Guidelines.

• Bushfire Strategy submission linked to report findings.

• Increase probability of first attack success in Very High FFDI from little to medium likelihood if first attack within 30min of detection.

Management & administration (11)Smoke management

• Direction from chiefs:– Maintain effective “Incident” tactical

response;– Maintain initial attack for new ignitions.

• Assets still assigned to “Incident”.• Consultation with BOM:

– Smoke models and wind modelling.• Consultation:

– with “Incident” and agency SDOs.• Radial and directional reposition.• “Incident” responsible for consideration,

evaluation, implementation and logistics.

Management & administration (12)

NOTAMS & Temporary Restricted Airspace

• Generic Fire NOTAM:– Issued by ASA - pre season;

• “UNNOTIFIED INTENSE AVIATION ACTIVITY ASSW FIREFIGHTING OPS MAY OCCUR WI 5NM RAD AND BLW 3000FT AGL OF OBSERVED FIRES. ACFT NOT COORDINATED THROUGH THE RELEVANT STATE EMERG SERVICE ARE REQ TO REMAIN CLEAR.

• Incident Specific Fire NOTAM:– Requested through State Air Desk;

• “INTENSE AVIATION ACTIVITY ASSW FIREFIGHTING OPS WI (X) NM RAD OF (X). ACFT NOT COORDINATED THROUGH THE VICTORIAN STATE AIRDESK TEL 1300134144 ARE REQ TO REMAIN CLEAR. FIREGROUND FREQ (X) MHZ”.

Management & administration (13)

NOTAMS & Temporary Restricted Airspace

• Temporary Restricted Airspace:– Aircraft operations adjacent to or in close

proximity to controlled airspace and there is a risk of fire fighting aircraft infringing such airspace;

– Aircraft operations in an area of high density itinerant aircraft traffic eg. light aircraft lane, VFR aircraft route;

– Aircraft operations in an area of medium density itinerant aircraft traffic, when there is reduced flight visibility.

Communications

Communications (1)Flight following

• Flight Monitoring Process:– All agency operational aircraft;– Nil requirement charter/IFR.

• Pre Flight:– Arrange nominated responsible person and;– Provide flight details and manifest of all persons

on board and;– Departure call to nominated responsible person.

• During Flight:– Communicate position and intentions every 30

minutes;– To nominated person and;– Advise of changes, diversions, pick ups.

Communications (2)Flight following

• Post Flight:– Communicate arrival/landing to nominated

responsible person;– Nominated responsible person required to log

calls and initiate Search and Rescue action if required.

• SAR actions:– Up to 10 mins - attempt to contact aircraft;– At 15 mins and no contact - attempt to

establish whereabouts of aircraft;– At 20 mins and no contact - initiate SAR

action.

Communications (3)Flight following issues

• Nominated responsible person being requested by pilot/AAS to call the aircraft at 30 mins - not acceptable.

• Pilots/AAS during multi aircraft ops calling sched’s on hour/half hour - not reliable and puts pressure on base personnel.

• No backup plan for non fire ops routinely under 30 min scheds ie. sling loading, spraying.

• Aircraft calls at convenient location - not when due or required - not acceptable.

Communications (4)Resource tracking - RATS

Communications (5)Resource tracking - RATS

Communications (6)Resource tracking - Spider Track

Communications (7)Resource tracking - Spider Track

• Spider Track units allocated to Call When Needed operators MUST be used on all agency flights.

• Pilot, AAS or AOb, MUST ensure State Air Desk is notified of serial number (printed on gold sticker on unit) and aircraft callsign.

• Unit is powered from the aircraft’s 10-32 volt DC power supply.

• Cigarette lighter socket, or directly wired to power.

SAU program delivery

SAU program delivery (1)

State Aircraft Unit delivery overview

• Procurement for 2008/09:– State, NAFC.

• Training Strategy being prepared.• National focus:

– important for future operations.• New and improved technology:

– Hot refuelling tankers;– Drop testing;– Bushfire Strategy.

SAU program delivery (2)Training 2008

• Pre season Briefings pilot and agency

• Aerial Driptorch Operators - 6 / Aerial Driptorch Support Crew - 18

• Aerial Incendiary Bombardier - 21

• Air Attack Supervisor - 10 / Air Observer - 9

• Aircraft Officer - 11 / Airbase Manager - 11

• Basic Wildfire Awareness - online - 71 (to date)

• Crew Resource Management - 2

• Fly in the Wire Environment -14

• Helipad Marshall - 6

• Helicopter external/sling load - 10

• HUET - 8

• Hot refuelling - 52

• Hover Exit - 14

• Rappel - 30 / Rappel Dispatcher - 7

SAU program delivery (3)Aerial incendiary operations

• 13 Bombardiers operated aerial incendiary machines (AIM).

• Total ~110,300 Premo capsules used.

• Total ~85,400 Raindance capsules used.

• 103 ADT loads.

• Total 70 FRB flight days (autumn): – 53 AIM/17 ADT; – 255 flight hrs.

SAU program delivery (4)

Fire bombing base upgrade

• Casterton upgrade close to completion. • “Daisy” 18,000l eductor tanker on-site.• Delatite to Walsh’s airstrip completed.• B-Double high volume retardant mixer avail for

standby - turn key operation.• 13Kva generators going into Avondale,

Casterton, Stawell and Yanakie.• LTV base commenced.• Works to commence Bendigo and Mt Hotham.• State airbase upgrade plan formulated -

dependant on $.

SAU program delivery (5)Locusts

• SAU supporting DPI in delivery of aviation services for locust operations.

• Recce and spraying operations to commence in late October and possibly again in January.

• Two to six week operation period.• 1 dedicated Type 3 helicopter,

2 spray helicopters, 2 spray fixed wing, regional fixed wing recce.

• Dispatch/flight following by State Air Desk.• Resource requests likely for AAS, AOb, AO, ABM.• 5 day shift with separate travel/handover day at

each end of shift.

SAU program delivery (6)Locusts

• All aviation personnel to receive full operational briefing before commencing shift.

• SOP developed for recce and spraying tasks.• Extreme caution required when flying in the

wire and other aerial hazard environment.• Good Crew/Team Resource Management

essential during all flights.

SAU program delivery (7)Locusts

Fleet composition 2008/09

Fleet composition (1)

Type 1 helicopters - absolute availability 15 min.

• Helitack 341 - Erickson S64F Air-Crane:– at Essendon:

• Firebombing - fixed tank;• Includes AAS platform FBD 307.

• Helitack 342 - Erickson S64E Air-Crane:– at Essendon:

• Firebombing - fixed tank;• Includes AAS platform FBD 309.

• Helitack 347 - Sikorsky S61N:– at Colac:

• Firebombing - fixed tank/bambi bucket;• Sling load, PAX transport 18 (includes crewman).

• Helitack 348 - Sikorsky S61N :– at Mansfield:

• Firebombing - bambi bucket;• Sling load, PAX transport 18 (includes crewman).

HTK 341 S64F Air-Crane Essendon

HTK 348 Sikorsky S61N Mansfield

HTK 342 S64E Air-Crane Essendon

HTK 347 Sikorsky S61N Colac

Fleet composition (2)Type 2 helicopters - absolute availability 15 min.

• Helitack 331 - Bell B212 - Moorabbin:– Firebombing, crew transport, rappel.

• Helitack 332 - Bell B212 - Benalla: – Firebombing, crew transport, rappel.

• Helitack 333 - Bell B212 - Heyfield: – Firebombing, crew transport, rappel.

• Helitack 334 - BK117 - Bendigo: – Type 3 helicopter;– Firebombing, crew transport.

• Helitack 335 - Bell B205 - Ballarat: – Firebombing, crew transport, rappel.

• Helitack 345 - Bell B212 - Olinda: – Firebombing, crew transport.

Bell 212 Benalla / Heyfield

BK 117 - (Type 3) Bendigo

Bell 212 Olinda / Moorabbin

Bell 205 Ballarat

Fleet composition (3)Type 3 helicopters - absolute availability 15 min.**

• Firebird 301 - Bell B206 - Horsham :– AAS, recce, hover exit, FLIR, crew transport, sling load.

• Firebird 302 - AS 350SD - Moorabbin:– AAS, recce, FLIR, crew transport, sling load.

• Firebird 303 - AS 350BA - Ovens:– AAS, recce, FLIR, crew transport, sling load.

• Firebird 304 - AS 350BA - Bairnsdale:– AAS, recce, FLIR, crew transport, sling load.

• Firebird 305 - Bell B206 - Bendigo:– AAS, recce, hover exit, FLIR, crew transport, sling load.

• **Firebird 306 - AS 350BA - Essendon - 2.5hr/15min avail:– AAS, recce, FLIR, crew transport, sling load.

• Firebird 307 - Bell B206L - Essendon:– AAS platform Helitack 341.

• Firebird 309 – Bell B206L - Essendon:– AAS platform Helitack 342.

Bell 206 III Jetranger Bell 206L LongRanger

Aerospatiale Squirrel AS350 BAAerospatiale Squirrel AS350 SD

Fleet composition (4)SEATs absolute availability 15 min.

• Bomber 351 - AirTractor AT 802F - Stawell– Firebombing.

• Bomber 352 - PZL M18B Dromader - Portland– Firebombing.

• Bomber 353 - PZL M18B Dromader - Hamilton– Firebombing.

• Bomber 354 - AirTractor AT 802F - Albury– Firebombing.

• Bomber 355 - PZL M18B Dromader - Bairnsdale– Firebombing.

• Bomber 356 - AirTractor AT 802F - Albury– Firebombing - subject to seasonal demand

• Bomber 365 - PZL M18A T Dromader - Bendigo– Firebombing.

Fleet composition (5)SEATs partial availability 2 hr. / 15 min.

• Bomber 357 - PZL M18B Dromader - Deniliquin:– Firebombing.

• Bomber 358 - PZL M18B Dromader - Leongatha:– Firebombing.

• Bomber 359 - PZL M18B Dromader - Benambra:– Firebombing.

• Bomber 360 - AirTractor AT 802F - Stawell:– Firebombing.

• Bomber 361 - PZL M18B Dromader - LTV:– Firebombing.

PZL M18B Dromader PZL M18A T Dromader

AirTractor AT 802F

Fleet composition (6)

Specialist aircraft, infra-red and recce

• Birddog 366 - TBA - Essendon 2.0hr/15min.:

– AAS, recce, passenger transport.• Firescan 300 - Beech King Air - Essendon

2.0hr/15min.:– Infra-red line scanning.

• Firescan 350 - Cessna C404 Titan - Essendon2.0hr/15min.:

– Infra-red line scanning/pax transport - subject to seasonal demand

• CFA Regional Contract resource:• Birddog 367 - Cessna C337 - Ballarat -

2.0hr/15m.;• AAS, recce, passenger transport.

BDG 366 - TBA

FSN 300 Beech King Air

BDG 367 Cessna 337

FSN 350 Cessna 404

• Firebird TBA - at LTV fully paid by Hancock Victorian Plantations.

• Can self deploy to HVP estate and must call SAD on departure to establish who flight following carried by - Hancock's # 1 priority.

• At 60 mins - must request transfer to CFA or DSE IMT or return to base unless HVP agree to continue and pay.

• If CFA/DSE accept to continue - they set up AIIMS Air Operations unit.

Fleet composition (7)HVP Type 3 helicopter firebombing Service

Proposed 2008/09 State Fleet Aircraft

Type 3 (Light) Helicopters (FB301)

Type 2 (Medium) Helicopters (H331)

Type 1 (Heavy) Helicopters (H341)

SEATS Fixed Wing Firebombers (B351)

Specialist Aircraft (FSN300P)

Partial availability (B360P)

B351&B360P

B352

B353

B354

FB301

FB302

P

FB305

H335

H348

H347

H345

B357P

H332

B359P

FB303

H333FB304

B358P

FBTBA

H341&H342

FSN300P&BDG366

FB306P,FB307&FB309

B365H334

B361P

B355

H331

Additional resources

Additional resources

• Rappel and hover exit crews.• Permanent firebombing bases.• Mobile retardant mixing units and foam

trailers.• Floating collar tanks.• Agency communications caravans and

MCV’s.• 5 SAU funded 6000lt refuelling tankers.• 5 refuelling tankers (3 x NAFC and 2 x

contract).• 2 FLIR systems.• Accredited personnel - 53 x AO’s, 60 x AAS’s.

15 permanent firebombing bases4 rappel crews

2 hover exit crews Eductor mixing equipment

B-Double eductor mixing unit

Contract refuelling support

5 hot refuelling trucks

8 bulk foam support units

Linescan &Forward Looking Infrared

Linescan & Forward Looking Infrared (1)Linescan

• Planning tool:– Availability, tasking and priorities;– Crewing - duty times;– Optimum times for scanning;– Limitations - weather, crew, its electronic.

• Output:– Viewable hardcopy/electronic and

georectified images;– Downlink to internet;– Real time - radio.

Linescan Images

Snake Island 2008

Kangaroo Island 2008

Linescan Images

Linescan & Forward Looking Infrared (2)Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR)

• Operational tool:– Two units available - request via SAD;– Platform - Type 3 helicopter required.– Operators in Melbourne and DSE, CFA, PV

regional locations - resource request;• Output:

– Provide overview of fire sectors requiring further blacking out;

– real time - radio to ground crews - expensive, greater operational risk - hand held FLIR cameras safer, more cost effective option.

Call When Needed Aircraft

• Current documentation available and process open.• Apply to be registered.• Approval status will be issued:

– Approved, Provisional, Not Approved.• Essential requirements:

– Appropriate Air Operators Certificate;– Operators must hold minimum $10 million third

party insurance;– Carriers Liability Insurance;– Pilots must meet license requirements and

minimum total hours and hours on type;– Mandatory completion of Basic Wildfire

Awareness - pilots/engineers.

Call When Needed Aircraft (1)General

• Approved CWN operators will be subject to an audit.• Web based registration undergoing a targeted trial this

season.• Turbine powered helicopters only - no piston engines.• Twin engine fixed wing aircraft preferred.• "Ultra Light Aircraft", balloons, hang gliders, gliders,

gyrocopters etc. are all excluded.• Restricted category aircraft - bombing/sling loads only:

– cannot be used to transport agency personnel.• Minimum standards communications:

– an operating agency radio with a hard wired aerial;• pre-flight radio checks are mandatory.

Call When Needed Aircraft (2)General

Call When Needed Aircraft (3)Use of CWN resources

• Tactical aircraft:– Authorised, engaged by SAD - approved by SDO’s;– Compliance with minimum standards.

• Light Reconnaissance Fixed Wing Aircraft:– Approved by SAU, engaged by agency Regions;– Liaise with other agency/region - avoid duplication;– Mandatory to notify SAD of aircraft;

• on stand-by, all flights and all personnel inc. pilot.• Transport Aircraft:

– Approved by SAU, engaged by SAD;– Includes domestic and charter aircraft;– 24hr Tel: 1300 13 4144 Fax: 1300 13 4488;– Hard copy request required.

Call When Needed Aircraft (4)Limited Release - Online registration & maintenance process

Basic Wildfire Awareness

• Basic Wildfire Awareness (BWA) arrangements:

– VIC. pilots/operators/contractors staff only.

• Access http://www.firetraining.org.au/:

– Follow Fire Training Online toBasic Wildfire Awareness and follow login prompts;

– READ instructions and provide all details - especially DOB and aircraft company.

• Names entered on FireWeb system after completion.

• Certificate follows in time to operator, not individual.

Basic Wildfire Awareness (1) State Fleet & Call When Needed Aircraft

Documentation

• Cockpit handbook and pilot handbook to be sent out to operators late October.

• Audit req’t to have current cockpit handbook in aircraft.

• Only 1 cockpit handbook per registered aircraft.• Pilot handbook for each pilot in company.• FOR’s for all State Fleet and CWN aircraft.• FOR books - come see us at end of session.• SAU website.

Documentation (1)Handbooks, FORs

Documentation (2)State Aircraft Unit website

http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/fires/updates/report/sau/SAU_External/SAU_home.htm

Documentation (3)State Aircraft Unit website

Innovation program

Helitack 347 & Fireboss 4000Maiden flight Victoria March 2008

Fireboss 4000 delivery system

Fireboss 4000 delivery system (1)

• Majority of new generation tanks - low head pressure,ie. Simplex and Isolair.

• Fireboss 4000:– Collapsible soft sided belly tank;– 4,000lt capacity;– Offers: 2 door salvo, 1 door string, split load and restricted;– Maintains big surface area for doors;– Extends and retracts subject weight of suppressant;– Aerodynamic assistance - stowed;– Rapid conversion to bucket >15 min and back to tank;– Hover fill time >35 sec.

Fireboss 4000 delivery system (2)

16

1116

21S1

0

1

2

3

4

5

Drop 1. Fireboss 4000 HTK 347

4-5

3-4

2-31-2

0-11

611

1621

S1

0

1

2

3

4

5

Drop 1. Fireboss 4000 HTK 347

4-5

3-4

2-31-2

0-1

16111621S1

Drop 1. Fireboss 4000 HTK 347 4-5

3-4

2-31-2

0-1

CAL FIRE long term contract.2007 - 09 / 3 years $21m(US).

122 days availability.

Speed loaded VFR 250kts (460kph).

Speed unloaded IFR 310kts (570kph).

Not carded for Initial Attack.

Primary purpose - retardant and extended attack - line building.

Investigation - Tanker 910 DC-10 (1)

Investigation - Tanker 910 DC-10 (2)

Purpose built delivery system.Constant flow gravity system, concept EAC tanks.Max. load 11,500gal US/43,500lt.5 tanks - 3 x primary/2 x secondary tanks (bow/stern).Drops at >300 ft >160kts.

D75F - Contract requirement.Trial use of water.

No use of water enhancers. No use of foam - no current capability.

Cannot land loaded.

Investigation - Tanker 910 DC-10 (3)

• Min. requirements 1 hour turn around > 400 NM return trip: – Runway - 8000ft.;– Refuelling - 39,700lt/70,000lbs.;– Retardant - 50,000lt/24,000gal (US).

• Drop options:– Regulated full drop, coverage levels 1 - 8;– Split load capable 3 x drops 3500 - 4400gal (regulated);– 3 x drops allows for dynamic line construction;– Retardant line construction > 0.5 mile - 0.75 mile.

• Drop pattern:– Continuous length - estimated 8 x longer than S2T(approx);– No gaps - normal drop issues - shadowing/interception.

• Integration:– Lead plane operation (all fixed wing air-tankers);– Mixed with rotary and fixed wing resources;– Same drop procedures;– Wake turbulence 3 - 5 minutes.

Fixed base- Victorville CA 24,000 gal US

Full salvo coverage level 6- Lick Fire CAL FIRE Sept 2008

Martin MARS Evaluation (1)

Cruise speed 180kts (140Kts loaded).Empty Wt. is 39t; MTOW. 74t.

Payload 27,200lt / 7200gal US. Endurance three plus hours.

Drop speed of 120kts, height 200ft.

Martin MARS Evaluation (2)

• Formal joint evaluation program:– United States Forest Service (USFS);– Ministry of Forests BC;– State Aircraft Unit (SAU);– May and June 2008.

• Drops Port Alberni in British Columbia:– Water and Thermo-GEL.

• Assessment criteria designed and conducted by: – Ministry of Forests BC and SAU.

• Data collection and analysis was conducted by the:– USFS and SAU.

• Structures protection program for urban interface fires under development:

– Ministry of Forests BC/SAU.

Martin MARS Evaluation

Investigation - Tanker 974 B747

Investigation - Tanker 974 B747

• Three year development - added internal tanks and pressurised delivery system.

• Drop process similar to MAFFS - sprayed out.• Exits through four nozzles in belly.• Promoted worldwide to hold 90,849lt (24,000gal US).• Actual 37,854lt/ 10,000gal US) - SAU data.• 45 minutes to fill.• Significant area of hard standing and ramp/taxi way.• Runway requirements are 2,438 metres (8,000ft).• No fly greater than 10,000ft - retardant freezes.• Drop height 120 to 240m (400 to 800ft).• Drop speed of 140 to 150kts.• Dump within 9 sec’s or regulate drop flow to 20 sec’s.

Continuous improvement & developments

Continuous improvement & developments (1)

Things we need to consider for improvement

• Pre-season briefings - not enough people attend.• Aircraft pre-season training days – region/area

responsibility.• Capture aviation related information from fire debriefs. • Low level ADT ops.• Last light breach.• Quality of retardant from air bases.• Situational awareness of ground crews when bombing

occurring.• Expectations of rappel crews - advanced falling.• Helicopter crew transport - post USA S61.• Transport of DG• Mandatory use of cargo packs for fire crew transport.

• SAU structure.

• Audit/analysis/investigation process - more stringent.

• iECC - direct CFA/DSE decision process.

• New hot refueling truck.

• Development of SAU Procedures.

• Drug and Alcohol Management Plan.

• Airbase equipment maintenance schedule.

• New DG requirements - firearms/ammo and vet drugs.

Continuous improvement & developments (2)

Improvements in place for 2008/09

Foam Evaluation

Concentration 0.5%

Concentration 0.7%

Concentration 0.5%

Concentration 0.5%

Concentration 0.7%

Concentration 0.7%

Foam evaluation

• Three year program:• AAS & AO course + operational reviews;• Ongoing next three years;

• White fluffy stuff - looked good from air - 0.5%:• Minimal wetting effect on the ground;

• Data collection and analysis:• FW bombers drops - 0.7; 0.5; 0.4; 0.3 & 0.2%;• Use of infrared;• Weather data collected;• Field observation and data collection;

• Interim Results:• Weather conditions dictate effectiveness;• Vegetation type, fuel size & underlying dryness ;• Foam rate 0.3 - 0.4% indicated best wetting results

* for the period of year;• Need to train ground resources to interpret results.

AIIMS Air Operations Unit

AIIMS Air Operations Unit

AIR OBSERVERAIR OBSERVER

PLANNING SECTION

DIVISIONS

SECTORS

STRIKE TEAMS

AIR OPERATIONS UNITAIR OPERATIONS MANAGER

AIR OPERATIONS UNITAIR OPERATIONS MANAGER

SUPPORT GROUP

AIRCRAFT OFFICER

SUPPORT GROUP

AIRCRAFT OFFICER

AIRBASEMANAGER(S

)

AIRBASEMANAGER(S

)

TACTICAL GROUP

AIR ATTACKSUPERVISOR

TACTICAL GROUP

AIR ATTACKSUPERVISOR

OPERATIONS SECTION

INCIDENT CONTROLLER

LOGISTICS SECTION

PAX transport operations

Passenger transport operations

• Luggage:– Max 15kg per person, soft bag packing.

• Fitness to fly:– Fatigue, alcohol, head colds.

• Aircraft safety brief:– Pilot to provide.

• Turbulence:– Nature of the environment.

• Multiple aircraft:– Multiple departure and destination points.

• Delays:– Smoke. – Weather.– Aircraft availability.

• Logistics/Resources unit to advise Aircraft Officer/Airbase Manager of requested pax flights. Pax manifest must be at both ends.

• Plan for land transport - contingency.

Fireground safety

Fireground safety (1)

• Ground personnel - remain clear of drop zones.• Identify clearly drop zone and location of ground personnel.• AAS primary means of advising ground crews of impending

drops.• Sirens - secondary warning device - often missed due

ambient fireground noise.• Siren must be sounded on base and final and during drop. • AAS must warn ground crews of:

- impending drops;- spot fires, slop overs and blow ups;- crew entrapment situations;- delays/cancellations of aircraft support.

• Never get into the situation where the safety of your crews are dependant on air support. Factors outside your control could prevent continuing air attack.

Split load BOM 360(Turbuine Thrush) split load 900 L approx.

Potential Drop Impact Zone A X 3

Expected Drop Footprint = A X B

Potential Drop Impact Zone = A X 3 X B X 3

Potential Fire Bombing Drop Impact Zone

Average Drop: B212/Conair tank- 35m(A) X 8m(B), Dromader- 90m(A) X 15m(B)

Expected Drop Footprint Length (A)

Exp

ecte

d D

rop

Foo

tprin

t W

idth

(B

)

Pot

entia

l Dro

p Im

pact

Zon

e B

X 3

Direction of Flight

Fireground safety (2)

Accidents & emergency procedures

Accidents & emergency procedures (1)Aviation occurrences & procedures

• ATSB Classification (as per AIP ENR 1.14):• Aviation Occurrences as:

– Immediately Reportable;- Report ASAP;

– Routine Reportable;- Written report within 72hrs.

• ATSB responsible for investigation of all civil aircraft occurrences.

• Aircraft missing/crashed in remote/inaccessible terrain:– Incident Controller and State Air Desk to be notified;– AuSAR via State Air Desk;– Vic Ambulance Service/Police 000 - advise of AusSAR

notification;– Aircraft operator and ATSB advised by State Air Desk.

• Aircraft accident/crashed - easily accessible:– Incident Controller and State Air Desk to be notified;– Vic Ambulance Service/Police 000/Fire service;– AuSAR via State Air Desk - advise of 000 notification;– Aircraft operator and ATSB advised by State Air Desk.

• Serious incident/incident:– Incident Controller and State Air Desk to be notified;– Vic Ambulance Service/Police 000 - if necessary;– Aircraft operator and ATSB advised by State Air Desk if

appropriate.

Accidents & emergency procedures (2)Aviation occurrences & procedures – agency procedures

Any questions

Manager’s message

Manager’s message (1)Key considerations for 2008/09

• Put sufficient qualified personnel in place quickly and ensure sufficient resourses to avoid fatigue.

• Specialist personnel need to “pace themselves” - follow fatigue management rules.

• Fire aviation needs to be managed on a systems basis - robust, all agencies working as one.

• Be mindful of the costs of operations - especially with rising fuel prices.

• Follow the procedures.• Stay safe.

Manager’s message (2)A reminder

Safety is the paramount consideration in all Agency aircraft operations.

At all times care must be taken in aerial activities and ground support activities to

ensure that the highest possible standards of safety are maintained.

Thank you and be safe