IHOG Interagency Helicopter Operations Guide NFES 1885 June 2009 IHOG Interagency Helicopter Operations Guide NFES 1885 June 2009 The IHOG participating Agencies have developed this information for the guidance of their employees and are not responsible for the interpretation or use of this information by anyone except the participating agencies. The use of trade, firm or corporation names or illustrations of any particular product in this publication is for information and convenience of the reader and does not constitute an endorsement by the participating agencies of any product, service or aircraft make and model to the exclusion of others that may be suitable. The agencies would like to acknowledge the assistance of the many product manufacturers, as well as the National fire Protection Association, the International Fire Service training Association, and the United State Department of the Army, who kindly furnished material used in the production of this document. Nationallnleragency A"iation Council 33JJ Soulh Dn-riopmtDl A\-tnut 8obr. Idaho &3705 Junr.l, 2009 To: mops St~ring CommiU~ Subjr.c:l: moe The IHOG and !HOG SupplemtnIaJ Forms ~ have been m'iKd for new publication in May of2009. AJI policy changes bec.ontr. effective at lhis time. Published hardcopics will be avaibblc in June 2009. Chango include revisions proposed by the IHOG Working Group, coordinated by the National Inlerageney Aviation oouncil, and appTO\led. by the U.S. Foresl Service and the Department ofthe Interior. Some revisions to the lHOG were nea:uary to be compatible with changes made to the national helieopter contracts. Other m'isions were based on proposal, submitted by field penonllCI and agency program managers. Additional or altered iangu.:lge for 2009 is nolod with an arrow (_) at the beginning of each $Odion rbar has beaJ revised. The mOG is a dynamic documcm and \lill be miewed again in 2012. Please forward suggested <:hanges for the 2012 rev!sioa to the appropriate agCllCy reprdlertsive from the lHOG Working Groop. Public:alioa as a eaebe iran and pbc:cmeu 011 the NIFC Web$ite is autborUcd. The forms pr;acbgc wi" be rnaiIJIaiDcd in NFES 0660, Air Opentions Braldl Kit, and NFES 3521, Helieqlcer Support Kit, Box 2. The IHOG and IHOG Forms Pao::bge are avaibble for do¥mloadiD3 at http://manop,blroCOy/blnJo. A eopyoflhis memo will be included in the fiont oftbe IHOG. fM.l/tJ;£;j 4-rv r. 00cl Mark L. BatIaick Kar)1I Wood Associau: Director Assistanl Ditector, Opaatioas Aviation Maoagemeol DiredoralC Finl and Aviation Managemettt National Business Ceorer U_S. Forest Service U.S. Oepanmcat ofthe IDterior U.S. Department of Agriculture ./Iu)ljfjaJ!..... NIACChair IHOG Revision 2009 Background The IHOG Working Group met in March and November of 2008 to review and consolidate proposed revisions to the IHOG that were generated from the field and from user agencies at all levels.The process allowed almost a full year for the field to propose changes. Each proposal was analyzed and either approved or rejected. The IHOG Working Group was represented as follows: • Dianne MacLean, FWS, Chair • Carrie Vernon, NPS, Vice Chair • Cameron Dingman, BLM, • Bob Quirino, USFS • Todd Couture, BIA • Meg Gallagher, USDOI/AMD The IHOP Steering Committee reviewed and approved the proposed revisions in February, 2009. • Vince Welbaum, USFS Chair • Bryan Bitting, BLM • Dave Underwood, BLM • Arlyn Miller, AMD • Chuck Taylor, USFS • Mike Jefferies, FWS • Kris Damsgaard, AMD • Tom Monterastelli, NPS • Dan Boyle, States There is no revision summary included in this document, but each change is noted with an . Table of Contents CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION I. Objectives. ................................................................................................................... 1-1 II. Scope. .......................................................................................................................... 1-1 III. Authority. ..................................................................................................................... 1-2 IV. Î Participating Agencies. .......................................................................................1-2 V. Organization. ............................................................................................................... 1-2 VI. Publication. .................................................................................................................. 1-2 VII. Review and Revision. ................................................................................................. 1-2 VIII. Ordering and Distribution ........................................................................................... 1-3 CHAPTER 2: PERSONNEL I. Introduction. ................................................................................................................ 2-1 II. Qualifications, Certification, Currency and Experience. .........................................2-1 A. Incident Helicopter and Helibase Management Positions. ............................. 2-1 B. Resource Helicopter and Helibase Management Positions. .......................... 2-1 C. Î Specialized Helicopter Positions. ..............................................................2-1 III. Helicopter Management. ............................................................................................ 2-4 A. Helicopter Manager. ............................................................................................2-5 B. Helicopter Flight Manager. .................................................................................2-8 C. Î Helicopter Crewmember (Both Fire and Resource Exclusive-Use and Call-When-Needed) (HECM). ....................................................................... 2-9 D. Pilot. ..................................................................................................................... 2-9 IV. Helibase/Helispot Management. ................................................................................2-11 A. Helibase Manager (HEB1 or HEB2). ..................................................................2-11 B. Helispot Manager ............................................................................................... 2-14 C. Deck Coordinator (DECK). ................................................................................. 2-15 D. Parking Tender .................................................................................................... 2-17 E. Loadmaster (Personnel or Cargo) ..................................................................... 2-18 F. Takeoff and Landing Coordinator (TOLC). .......................................................2-19 G. Aircraft Base Radio Operator (ABRO). ............................................................. 2-19 H. Aircraft Timekeeper ............................................................................................ 2-20 I. Mixmaster - Retardant. .......................................................................................2-21 V. Specialized Positions. ................................................................................................. 2-22 A. Helicopter Aerial Ignition Positions. .................................................................2-22 B. Helicopter Rappel and Short-Haul Positions. ..................................................2-22 C. Law Enforcement Helicopter Positions. ...........................................................2-22 D. Search and Rescue Helicopter and Helibase Positions. .................................2-23 E. Helicopter Coordinator (HLCO). ........................................................................ 2-23 F. Military Helicopter Management. ....................................................................... 2-24 G. Aerial Capture, Eradication, and Tagging Of Animals (ACETA) Helicopter Positions............................................................................................ 2-24 CHAPTER 3: OPERATIONAL PLANNING. I. Î Introduction ........................................................................................................... 3-1 II. Risk Management ............................................................................................................. 3-3 A. Risk Management Principles ..............................................................................3-4 B. Time Element in Risk Management.................................................................... 3-5 C. Risk Management Process .................................................................................3-6 D. Risk Assessment Tools. ...................................................................................... 3-10 III. Types of Flight Missions. ........................................................................................... 3-16 A. Point-to-Point vs. Mission-Type Flight. .............................................................3-16 B. General Use (point to point) vs. Special Use. ..................................................3-17 IV. Specific Missions......................................................................................................... 3-18 A. Law Enforcement. ............................................................................................... 3-18 B. Search and Rescue. ............................................................................................3-18 C. Aerial Ignition. ....................................................................................................