Tasking of RFS Owned Aircraft

Scope

This Operational Guideline provides guidance on the tasking of NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) owned aircraft.

Fundamental Protocols underpin the actions of all RFS members and must be adhered to at all times. They outline the Principles of being an RFS member and provide guidance on conduct to support the safety and wellbeing of members.

Guiding Principles

In addition to the contract fleet, RFS operates agency owned aircraft to support firefighting and other emergency operations. These aircraft and their associated roles are summarised below:

• RFS owned aircraft will be tasked for the approved roles outlined above and will be dispatched through ARENA.
• RFS owned aircraft are to be tasked consistent with the guiding principles detailed in RFS OPG - Dispatch of Aviation Resources.
• RFS owned aircraft may be tasked or redeployed when they are closest available however should be retasked when other suitable resources arrive (e.g. area contract aircraft).
• The following principles apply to an immediate dispatch of RFS owned aircraft:
  • Where the RFS owned Helitak aircraft are tasked for RAFT/RART capability, they should remain in support of these crews undertaking firebombing or other support roles as required;
  • The use of the RFS owned Helitak for an immediate firebombing task (not related to a RART/RAFT operation) may occur when there is no other suitable alternative firebombing aircraft closer, or as a last resort to support other aircraft.
  • After tasking the RFS owned Helitak for firebombing, the State Air Desk (SAD) will make arrangements to have this aircraft released and replaced with a dedicated firebombing asset as soon as practical subject to operational requirements.
• The planned tasking principles are outlined in RFS OPG - Dispatch of Aviation Resources, informed by availability, capability and procurement information in ARENA.
• For all sustained fire and emergency response operations, the RFS owned aircraft will be made available. The following principles apply to a planned dispatch of RFS owned aircraft:
  • The use of RFS owned Helitak aircraft for RAFT/RART, aerial intelligence, rescue (including flood rescue), and SAR operations is preferred where this involves winching of firefighters or rescue crew. Consideration should be given to forward staging the RFS owned aircraft specifically for this type of work;
  • The use of RFS owned aircraft for operations as requested by external agencies or other parties should be considered where this represents the most cost-effective solution for this type of task. Consideration should be given to forward staging the RFS owned aircraft specifically for this type of work;
  • AI operations are always considered under a planned tasking process. As such, the use of the RFS owned aircraft for AI work should occur in accordance with requirements of RFS OPG - Dispatch of Aviation Resources, where this represents the most cost-effective solution.
• Additional advice is provided for specific events below:
  • Training events – for all internal RFS training events, the RFS owned aircraft should be prioritised for use. For training events external to the RFS, the most cost-effective resource should be considered.
  • Display and public relations events – for all internal RFS display events, the RFS owned aircraft should be prioritised for use. For general display and public relations events external to the RFS, the most cost-effective resource should be considered.
  • Transport – the use of RFS owned aircraft for transport for non-emergency operations should be considered in the context of cost effectiveness, timeliness and commercial option availability.

Special Considerations

• The operator of RFS owned aircraft will be responsible for ensuring that all details of these aircraft are entered and updated on ARENA including the availability information and TracPlus data logging.
• Any dispatch of a RFS owned aircraft must always be supported by an appropriately approved aircraft request form (including training, display and public relations events and transport flights).
• RFS owned Helitaks have intelligence gathering capability through the FLIR camera systems installed.
• RFS owned Citations and Kingair have scanning capability through the Overwatch system installed.

Related Information

• Manual Dispatch Form
• RFS OPG - Dispatch of Aviation Resources