CHAPTER 30 – OPERATIONS CONTENTS 31 – OPERATIONS PLANNING 31.1 – SATELLITE HELIBASE 31.2 – CRASH RESCUE PLANNING 31.3 – RAPPEL OPERATIONS 31.4 – HELITORCH OPERATIONS 32 – HAZARD MAP PLANNING 32.1 – MILITARY TRAINING ROUTES 33 – FOREST RESTRICTED FLIGHT ZONES 34 – PERSONNEL 35 – BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 35.1 – AGENCY AIRCRAFT USE JUSTIFICATION 36 – COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNICATION PROCEDURES 37 – AIRCRAFT DISPATCHING 37.1 – CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION 38 – FLIGHT FOLLOWING 39 – TRAINING, QUALIFICATIONS AND DOCUMENTATION 39.1 – FIXED WING FLIGHT MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES
Following is a quote from California Fish and Game Code Division 7, Chapter 1, Article 1, : Code 10501.5. “It is unlawful to fly any aircraft, including any airplane or helicopter, less than 3,000 feet above water or land over the Sespe Condor Sanctuary. …Except for rescue operation, in case of emergency or for scientific purposes under a permit issued by the Department.” In addition, all Wilderness areas on the Forest are considered “noise sensitive” and require all aircraft on non-emergency flights to maintain 2,000 ft. AGL to mitigate excessive noise levels.
CHAPTER 50 – RAPPEL OPERATIONS CONTENTS 51 – RAPPEL TRAINING 52 – INITIAL ATTACK RAPPEL CONFIGURATION AND USE CRITERIA 53 – RAPPEL EQUIPMENT 54 – LARGE INCIDENT ASSIGNMENTS 55 – SEARCH AND RESCUE 56 – CARGO LETDOWN TRAINING 57 – CARGO LETDOWN EQUIPMENT 58 – CARGO LETDOWN OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS 59 – BOOSTER RAPPEL OPERATIONS
The ATBM will provide and coordinate training of employees and contractors assigned to the Base. - The Assistant ATBM (when assigned by incident) will assume the responsibilities of the ATBM when absent. He/She will enforce the security plan and provide leadership, training and support to employees and contract personnel. -The ATB Technicians and all other employees assigned to the Base will adhere to the Base Security Plan. They will be proactive toward safety and security. They will enforce safety measures and requirements as directed in the plan and from training. -The contract employees including retardant contractors, pilots, mechanics, etc. will adhere to the Base Security Plan. They will use equipment and procedures as identified in the plan to secure equipment and chemical products. They will be proactive and alert to potential or recognized safety and security violations. -Transient pilots, visitors, and other non-based personnel will be required to follow the guidelines, rules, and direction required while on the Base. Contact Information If a security breach is detected or a security threat determined immediate notification is required. Contacts should include: FAA (if aircraft involved) TSA Airport Authority and Santa Maria PD Forest Supervisor or Deputy Forest Fire Management Officer or Deputy 911 alert to local FICC, Police and Fire Region 5 Aviation Officer Region 5 Aviation Safety Officer Forest Aviation Officer Airtanker Base Manager or Assistant (as relevant) Restricted Areas -All other than the public parking are restricted -See Base Map Access to Restricted Areas
Base personnel, pilots, mechanics, security personnel, law enforcement, and contractors will be issued building keys and/or key cards at the discretion of the Airtanker Base Manager. A log will be kept of individuals issued keys and/or key cards. All keys and/or key cards issued to other than full time employees will be returned to the base manager at the end of each fire season. Physical Security Measures Grounds All other gates within the site remain locked at all times. Entrance gates and the fence in the public viewing area are posted with “Restricted Access” signs. Buildings Office space is leased from a Fixed Base Operations at the airport. Locking of doors will follow policy set forth by the landlord. Buildings are open 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM, outside the normal business hours the doors should be locked and alarm activated or de-activated. Retardant Mix Plant The retardant mix plant consists of 2 each 20,000 gallon mixed retardant storage tanks, 2 3,000 gallon off-load tank which may be empty or full, and the various mixers, manifold and plumbing used to move the chemical. Retardant deliveries are checked as they arrive against shipping and billing information to assure product verification. Safety and security precautions, procedures and this plan are discussed at the pre-contract meeting. All tank and mixer lids are locked nightly and inspected daily prior to start-up. All drain valves are padlocked. The retardant contractor checks all systems daily prior to start up. Aircraft All base contracted aircraft are locked nightly and metal inspection tags installed. Pilots cut off metal tags each day when unlocking aircraft. Pilots perform a visual inspection