Interagency Aviation Strategy - July 2008 - National Wildfire ...

Utilization of Aviation Resources
The nature of aviation resources (speed and mobility) makes local control of these
resources a less than optimal model. Organizing under the doctrinal principle that
aviation should be centrally controlled and decentrally executed will yield maximum
flexibility, effectiveness and efficiency. A centrally controlled process relies on
intelligence monitoring of the numbers and types of aircraft operating, the make-up of the
surge capability, the observed fire occurrence and fire behavior, and the predicted fire
occurrence in order to allocate resources on a reasoned priority basis. Once assigned to
an area or incident, the tactical application of those resources will be decentrally
executed. However, to maintain the flexibility necessary to respond to changes in the fire
environment and related priorities, central control must have the ability to re-assign
resources as necessary. Current command and control organizations (including dispatch
systems), philosophy and procedures will be modified to maximize this efficiency.
Aviation resources are utilized on all types of incidents, from small two person
smokejumper fires to mega-fires. As with all suppression resources, aviation resources
have their most effect and are most efficient while engaged in initial attack (I.A.)
operations. The effect of their speed to target and mobility is maximized in these IA
operations. The cost/benefit ratio is much less clear when aircraft are engaged in
extended attack and large fire operations. Current operating procedures allow these fires
to order and receive essentially unlimited aviation resources until such time as few or no
such resources are available. Few tools exist to adequately analyze those cost/benefit
relationships. These relationships are further complicated by the different roles aircraft
play on large incidents. Helicopters are used for both personnel/equipment movement
and bucket work. Analyzing the trade-offs between moving personnel/equipment by
ground versus air is relatively easy. Assessing the relative value of helicopter bucket
work, LATs and SEAT retardant delivery is much more difficult. Analytic tools capable
of focusing on this particular issue need to be developed.
Infrastructure
The infrastructure necessary to support any of the aviation elements must be included in
any decision as to the numbers, location and utilization of that particular resource.
Aviation resources that require significant capital investment, software, analysis and
training to be fully functional are by nature less flexible than those that require little or no
investment. Analysis of the optimum mix and number of aircraft will include these costs.
Adopting the model that maximizes mobility and flexibility has a direct impact on the
necessary infrastructure. In this model, air tanker bases and helibases become less
permanent homes and more temporary filling stations that may not see an aviation
resource for long portions of the fire season, if at all. Capital improvements and staffing
will be designed based on this reality.
Emerging Technology
Opportunities exist to improve effectiveness and efficiency of aviation operations through
aggressively pursuing new technology.
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