Aviation Safety on the Fire Line Ken Wong

Aviation Safety on the Fire Line Ken Wong

Aviation Safety on the Fire Line • The success of our aviation operations on the fire line have several key factors. • Setting Standards • Education • Management and Employee buy in • Successes • Continual Evaluation

“The Standards” • Rules and Regulations set for all flying requirements for the Ontario Government. • The Standards and Requirements for the Government of Ontario Approved Air Operators (“The Standards”) • Established in 1990 • Revision #2 May 01, 2000

Air Operator Eligibility Process • Auditing the Air Operator • Auditing the Aircraft • Signed Documentation

Regulatory Requirements • Federal Regulatory Body (Transport Canada) • Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Aviation Forest Fire Management Branch (AFFB)

Insurance • Liability coverage not less than 5 million dollars • Endorsements • Indemnity

Aircraft Standards • Dual Controls • Shoulder Restraint • Survival Equipment

Pilot Standards • • • Minimum Aircrew Qualifications Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Rotary Aircraft Single Engine Specialty Operations

Special Operations • • Open Door Work Requirements Fire Suppression Hires Heli-Torch and Aerial Ignition Helicopter Slinging Operations

Flight Watch • AFFMB provides flight watch for all fire operations • VHF FM Low Band • Standard 30 minute radio check-ins

Emergency Procedures • Occurrence Reporting Requirements

Education • Fire Ranger Crew Training S-100, S-200, and S-300 • Fire Safety Advisors • Air Operations Branch Directors • Radio Operators • Fire Teams • Pilots

Occurrence Reporting • Aviation Occurrence Reporting Forms • Fire Incident Reporting Forms • Data Analyzed

Safety Committees • Aviation Services Safety Committee • Fire Safety Committee

Staff • • Fire Rangers Supervisors and Senior Managers Aviation Safety Officers Pilots

Changes • “The Standards” to be revised in 2004 • Procedures in the Fire Program

Thank You Safety Is Everyone’s Concern