In May of 2002 HEMG was replaced with the HELB and HCWN positions
through an amendment to 310-1. Poor implementation of two like,
non-interchangeable positions has created misunderstanding resulting in
inconsistent ordering practices, questionable utilization and confusion.
The original objective of the Interagency Helicopter Operations Steering
Committee (IHOps) was not to create two "Helicopter Manager" positions
but to make needed changes to the one position (HEMG) including it
becoming a Single Resource Boss position to enable individual
progression to higher qualifications (ICT4) within exclusive use fire
helicopter crews. The desired changes from 2002 were as follows:

1.  Remove ICT4 experience requirement for HEMG from 310-1. (Achieved)

2.  Create Single Resource Boss (SRB) "Helicopter" Position in 310-1.
    (Partially achieved, ended up with stand alone position vs.
    combined)

3.  Require Helicopter Manager Training (S-372) and biennial workshop
    (RT-372) for HCWN in 310-1. (Achieved)

In January of 2006 the position code HCWN was converted to HELM.

Currently the only difference between HELM and HELB are as follows:

  ----------------------- ------------------------ -----------------------
                          **HELB**                 **HELM**

  310-1 Required Training S-230, S-290, S-372      S-372, RT-372

  310-1 Prerequisite      FFT1 + HECM              CRWB [or]{.underline}
  Experience                                       ENGB, + HECM

  Task Book               Same as HELM minus 1     Same as HELB plus 1
                          task (complete CWN       task (complete CWN
                          contractor evaluation)   contractor evaluation)

  310-1 Fitness           Arduous                  Moderate
  ----------------------- ------------------------ -----------------------

With the current effort to revise the 310-1 we have an excellent
opportunity to clarify this situation. The best option would be to make
the changes required to maintain Helicopter Manager meeting Single
Resource status and have only one Helicopter Manager position code. The
goal is to simplify the position of Helicopter Manager (it could be
called HMGR).

If this option were chosen, the following actions would need to occur to
get back to one 310-1 position and IQCS position code while maintaining
all of the original goals that resulted in having two positions:

1.  Delete the HELB Position Code. Global replace with HMGR in the 310-1
    (i.e. ICT4 prerequisite)

2.  Delete the HELM version of the Task Book

3.  Revise the SRB version of the Task Book to include the "contract
    evaluation'" task

4.  Change Position Code on Single Resource Boss Task Book from HELB to
    HMGR

5.  If necessary, maintain HELB in IQCS for Technical Specialist
    designation

6.  HMGR would be required to manage FEDERAL helicopters (RT-372
    Triennial)

7.  Combine required experience and training (see example following
    page)

    -   Change "position Category" to ICS

    -   Leave S-230 and S-290 as Pre-requisites to remain consistent
        with all other SRB's

    -   Delete Single Resource pre-requisite

    -   Fitness level would be Moderate

    -   Helibase Manager would maintain currency for HMGR

    -   Include the two qualifiers called out with the \* in the example
        for the sake of clarification

Management Guidelines

-   HMGR would be ordered/utilized for all Helicopter Manager requests

-   When Helicopter Managers are intended to be utilized for other
    missions they must be ordered with additional qualifications such
    as: ICT4, PLDO, Agency Exclusive Use Pre-requisites, etc. This would
    drive whether the individual needs an Arduous Fitness Rating

-   Federal Agencies accept State standards for State Managers with
    State Helicopters on Federal incidents. Only fully qualified
    Helicopter Managers current in RT-372 (Triennial) can manage Federal
    helicopters

-   HMGR meets Single Resource requirement for ICT4

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-   Convert currently qualified HELB to HMGR upon meeting currency
    requirements of RT-372 (Triennial, after completion of S-372 must
    attend RT-372 once every three years in order to manage Federal
    helicopters)

-   Convert current trainee HELB/HELM to HMGR(T)

**HELICOPTER MANAGER (**HMGR**)**

(Position Category: ICS)

**REQUIRED TRAINING**

Crew Boss (S-230)

Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290)

Helicopter Manager (S-372)

Helicopter Manager Workshop (RT-372) \*(Triennial, after completion of
S-372 must attend RT-372 once every three years in order to manage
Federal helicopters)

Annual Fireline Safety Refresher (Rt-130)

**REQUIRED EXPERIENCE**

Satisfactory performance as a Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1)

\+

Satisfactory performance as a Helicopter Crewmember (HECM)

> \+

Successful position performance as a Helicopter Manager (HMGR) on a
wildland fire incident

**PHYSICAL FITNESS**

Moderate

\*When Helicopter Managers are intended to be utilized for other
missions they must be ordered with additional qualifications such as:
ICT4, PLDO, Agency Exclusive Use Pre-requisites, etc.

**OTHER POSITION ASSIGNMENTS THAT WILL MAINTAIN CURRENCY**

Helibase Manager HEB1/HEB2

**OTHER TRAINING WHICH SUPPORTS DEVELOPMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS**

Basic ICS (I-200)

Ignition Operations (S-234)

Interagency Incident Business Management (S-260)

Basic Air Operations (S-270)

Contract Administration Skills