John Burfiend Kris Damsgaard Jami Anzalone

Facts Regarding Aviation Use  There will always be some risk associated with utilizing aviation assets (necessary risk)  Risks should be mitigated to an acceptable level. (this may include not flying)

Benefits  Rotor & Fixed Wing delivery of retardant  Rotor wing water delivery  Aerial ignition  Long line supply missions  Personnel delivery  “Eyes in the sky”

Hazards  Smoky  Turbulent  Congested Airspace  Congested Radio Traffic  What else?

Hazards  Risk Transfer  From ground personnel to aviation personnel  “Can Do” Philosophy  Public Perception

True Statement?

a. 14% b. 9% c. 27% d. 46% e. None of the above

 Accept no unnecessary risk  Make risk decisions at the appropriate level  Accept necessary risk when benefit outweigh cost  Integrate risk management at all planning levels

1. Identify Systems Involved 2. Identify Hazards 3. Assess Hazards 4. Identify Risk Level 5. Make Risk Decisions 6. Implement Controls 7. Supervise

Identify Systems Involved (people, procedures, materials, facilities, equipment, training, tools, software…) Identify Hazards (Have ALL hazards been indentified?) Assess Hazards (Exposure time X probability of hazard occurrence = Risk) Identify the risk level

Make Risk Decisions ( The right person with good information makes the tough calls) Implement Controls (Deliberate action designed to get the job done safely) Supervise (Stay on top of the situation and adjust as necessary)

Risk Management Workbook

Questions to Consider Fixed vs. Rotor Wing? Water vs. Retardant? March vs. June? (Identify Systems) Does someone have the big picture? (Identify Hazards) Is the air operation supporting the ground directly? (Assess Hazards)

Has the requesting official (line officer, IC or Ops) truly considered the risk? Is the right person/position making the call? (Identify Risk Level) Does the benefit warrant the necessary risk? Are we looking at the next ridge or the best ridge? (Make Risk Decisions) What is the overall plan for the fire? (Implement Controls)

Questions to Consider Which is more effective water or retardant? Are we flying retardant just to fly retardant? (Supervise)

The Benefit

 Grass fire burning and an aggressive suppression response

 An objective of the Forest Service SMS  Falls under the Quality Assurance Pillar of SMS  There will be four evaluations in R3 this fire season  John Burfiend will be one or the first one  Would like three additional ATGS’s to volunteer for an review. (If not RO will select)  Review team will consist of two to three people with at least one of the members being a R3 ATGS  A positive productive experience

Understanding safety performance through feedback and monitoring. (Field Management Field) Is what we think is happening (mitigations, risk acceptance) really happening? Feedback allows us to make adjustments if necessary (training, policy etc.). Identify and record valuable decisions for future operations (lessons learned). Provide mentoring opportunities for future operations(succession planning). The Region is going to do quality assurance as part of our SMS, your input and guidance will make it a positive process. The plan to implement this process will be completed soon.