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Helibase Manager

HEBM decorative banner: photos depicting HEBM position.

The Helibase Manager has primary responsibility for managing all activities at the assigned helibase. Within the ICS system, the Helibase Manager is supervised by the Air Support Group Supervisor. On projects, the Helibase Manager may report to an Air Support Group Supervisor or Air Operations Branch Director if these positions are assigned. Otherwise, the Helibase Manager usually reports to the Project Aviation Manager.

Helibase Managers will minimally meet qualification currency requirements of the Helibase Manager position on incidents as outlined in the NIMS: Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide, PMS 310-1. The Helibase Management Complexity Analysis is intended to assist a HEBM/ASGS/AOBD/Aviation Manager in determining if a helibase should be considered a HIGH complexity operation. This risk analysis tool will help to quantify the complexity of a helibase operation to support a decision to request an additional HEBM / HEBM (T) or limit aviation flights until mitigations can be made to conditions that threaten to exceed oversight capacity of a helibase operation.

This complexity analysis should be completed by the helibase/aviation manager and routed through their incident / administrator supervisor.

Operations Section Chief (OSC3) Operations Branch Director (OPBD) Structure Protection Specialist (STPS) Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS) Task Force Leader (TFLD) Crew Boss, Single Resource (CRWB) Heavy Equipment Boss, Single Resource (HEQB) Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB) Felling Boss, Single Resource (FELB) Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB) Helicopter Manager, Single Resource (HMGB) Operations Section Chief (OSC2) Staging Area Manager (STAM) Air Operations Branch Director (AOBD) Air Support Group Supervisor (ASGS) Helibase Manager (HEBM) Deck Coordinator (DECK) Aircraft Base Radio Operator (ABRO) Helicopter Crew Member (HECM) Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS) Helicopter Coordinator (HLCO) Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) Strike Team Leader Crew (STCR) Strike Team Leader Heavy Equipment (STEQ) Strike Team Leader Engine (STEN) Operations Section Chief (OSC1) Advanced Faller (FAL1) Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Basic Faller (FAL3) Fixed Wing Base Manager (FWBM) Airtanker Base Manager (ATBM) Fixed Wing Parking Tender (FWPT) Mixmaster (MXMS) Retardant Crew Member (RTCM) Single Engine Air Tanker Manager (SEMG) Aircraft Time Keeper (ATIM) Ramp Manager (RAMP) Operations Section Chief (OSCC) Crew Representative (CREP)

The Forest Service and Department of Interior are enabled by Administratively Determined Pay Plans (AD Pay Plans) to hire persons for temporary duration for the following reasons:

  1. To cope with a sudden and unexpected emergency caused by a fire, or extreme fire potential, flood, storm, or any other all-hazard emergency that threatens damage to federally protected property, has the potential to cause loss of life, serious injury, public health risk, or damage to natural or cultural resources unless brought under immediate control.
  2. To provide emergency assistance to States under formalized agreements.
  3. To meet mission assignments issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Incident Business Committee (IBC) reviews positions annually and establishes pay rate classifications for each position.

For more information on the AD Pay Plans, visit Incident Business Committee.

Date: Jun 2022

Added: Incident Position Description (IPD) approved.

Date: Nov 2019

Position created.

Helibase Type 1 (HEB1) and Helibase Type 2 (HEB2) combined to Helibase Manager (HEBM).

Date: Oct 1993

Helibase Type 1 (HEB1) and Helibase Type 2 (HEB2) replaced Helibase Manager. 

Date: Oct 1984

Position created. 

USWDS Paragraph Bundles

Primary Committee: National Interagency Aviation Committee
Steward: Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee


Last Modified / Reviewed:

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NWCG Latest Announcements

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Aircraft Base Radio Operator (ABRO)

Date: September 12, 2024
Contact: Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Aircraft Base Radio Operator, PMS 350-87 and NWCG Position Task Book for Aircraft Base Radio Operator (ABRO), PMS 311-87 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for ABRO includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Aircraft Base Radio Operator Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Aircraft Base Radio Operator, PMS 350-87

NWCG Position Task Book for Aircraft Base Radio Operator, PMS 311-87

NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee Recognizes September as Suicide Prevention Month

Date: September 9, 2024
Contact: Mental Health Subcommittee 

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health within our wildland fire community. This year’s Suicide Prevention Month theme, “Stronger Together,” underscores the importance of unity and support in every facet of our lives — at work, with family, and among friends.

As we recognize Suicide Prevention Month, including Suicide Prevention Week (September 8 – September 14, 2024) and World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10, 2024), we encourage you to share resources and engage in meaningful conversations within your teams.

Remember: We are Stronger Together, and help is always available. Let’s continue to support one another and foster an environment where mental health is a priority.

References:

NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

2024/2025 NWCG Leadership Campaign – The Roots of Wildland Fire Leadership

Date: August 28, 2024
Contact: Leadership Committee 

NWCG is excited to announce the 2024/2025 NWCG Leadership Campaign, themed "The Roots of Wildland Fire Leadership." This campaign provides an opportunity for personnel to engage in leadership development activities.

The campaign features four modules that can be completed at any time between May 2024 and May 2025.

The Leadership Committee promotes and enables the development of leaders in the wildland fire service by providing educational and leadership development opportunities.

References:

2024/2025 NWCG Leadership Campaign – The Roots of Wildland Fire Leadership

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

NWCG Leadership Committee

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN)

Date: August 27, 2024
Contact: Incident Planning Subcommittee 

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Status/Check-In Recorder, PMS 350-32, NWCG Position Task Book for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN), PMS 311-32, and Checking In Resources Customer Service Job Aid, J-111 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for SCKN includes the Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Book, and job aid were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Status/Check-In Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Status/Check-In Recorder, PMS 350-32

NWCG Position Task Book for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN), PMS 311-32

Checking In Resources Customer Service Job Aid, J-111