AFAC, under the guidance of the Aviation Working Group, has developed a Fire Aviation Training and Assessment Framework (FATAF) that supports a nationally agreed Industry Protocol defined for aerial fire operations under the Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System (AIIMS). The FATAF provides an agreed approach to training and assessment, with well defined professional development pathways, and will inform recognition arrangements for current and future personnel performing these roles. In the future, deployment of personnel inter- and intra-state will be based on confirmation that they have the requisite certification to perform one or more of the defined aviation roles.
To facilitate the delivery of nationally consistent training and assessment, AFAC has produced a set of Air Operations Support Documentation as well as Training Resources Kits (TRKs) for three of the agreed roles.
Air Operations Support Documentation
The Air Operations Support Documentation has been split into three parts:
Part A: Operating in a regulated environment
Part A provides a summary of the key legislative and regulatory information governing aerial fire operations.
Part B: Management and operational guidelines
Part B presents detailed managerial and operational guidelines relating to specific elements of aerial fire operations organisation and support. This material has been arranged via topic into the following sections:
- Section 1: Management Areas of Responsibility
- Section 2:Safe Work Practices around Aircraft
- Section 3: Establishing an Airbase
- Section 4: Aviation Fuel and Refuelling
- Section 5: Firebombing Operations
- Section 6: Foam and Retardant Handling, Mixing and Testing
- Section 7: Aerial Ignition
- Section 7.1: Aerial Ignition Operations
- Section 7.2: Aerial Incendiary Machine
- Section 7.3: Aerial Driptorch Operations
- Section 8: Sling Loading
- Section 9: Hover Exit.
Part C: Technical Information
Part C presents background information grouped into the following sections:
- Section 1: The Mechanics of Flight
- Section 2: Aircraft Instrumentation
- Section 3: Communications Systems and Procedures
- Section 4: Meteorology
- Section 5: Map Reading and Navigation
- Section 6: Aerial Fire Detection and Mapping.
Air Operations Unit Training Resource Kits
AFAC has also completed Training Resource Kits (TRKs) for three of the five roles of which the AIIMS Air Operations Unit is comprised: The TRKs for the roles of:
- Air Operations Manager
- Aircraft Officer
- Airbase Manager
In addition, AFAC has also produced a TRK for the role of Incendiary Operations Supervisor, which forms another specialist fire aviation role not defined under AIIMS. The TRKs for the roles developed by AFAC compliment the TRKs already produced by DSE and CFA for the roles of Air Attack Supervisor and Air Observer.
The TRKs associated with each role covers topics such as:
- Description of the role
- Description of the other roles within the Air Operations Unit
- Air Operations Unit’s management structure
- The legal and regulatory environment governing aerial fire operations
- Preparation of and planning for air operations.
- The establishment of airbases
- Management of aircraft in air operations
- Briefing and tasking during air operations
- Reporting and record keeping
- Operational procedures and guidelines
- Reviewing operations.
