State Duty Aviation Officer

Scope

The State Duty Aviation Officer (SDAO) is the Officer responsible for maintaining a 24/7 point of contact for the provision of aviation assistance to Districts and other Agencies. The SDAO undertakes the responsibilities of the State Air Desk (SAD) when it is not activated in support of incidents. The role liaises regularly with the State Duty Operations Officer (SDOO) and/or the State Operations Controller (SOC)/Deputy State Operations Controller (DSOC).

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.

Accountabilities

• Maintain a current awareness of state-wide incident activity.
• Maintain a knowledge of current and forecast weather conditions.
• Liaise with and provide aviation advice to the SOC, DSOC, SDOO, Major Incident Coordinators (MIC), and Districts.
• Provide advice relating to the most appropriate aircraft to meet requirements.
• Dispatch aircraft, specialist personnel, and appropriate logistical support in accordance with agency procedures.
• Maintain a current overview of deployed and available aircraft, aviation personnel, and aviation logistical support across the state.
• Ensure all aircraft have appropriate management and support in accordance with agency procedures and Interagency Aviation Standard Operating Procedures.
• Ensure a daily assessment of the need to retain aircraft occurs and advice is provided to SDOO, SOC, DSOC, and Director State Operations (DSO).
• Plan, (in consultation with the SOC/DSOC/SDOO) the strategic deployment and redeployment of key aviation assets to areas / incidents of greatest risk.
• Manage the Air Ops email and ensure all correspondence received whilst on duty is appropriately actioned.
• Advise Manager, Operational Business Procurement of any actual or potential breaches/issues of aviation contract requirements.
• Adhere to and ensure awareness of all aviation dispatch and tasking rejection procedures.
• Ensure safety standards are maintained at all times.
• Being the point of contact for any significant aviation incident/accident.

Special Considerations

• The SDAO will ensure the SDOO is advised of all dispatches.
• The SDAO will ensure the SDOO/SOC/DSOC are aware of multiple aircraft dispatches to escalating incidents.
• The SDAO will ensure compliance with aviation dispatch procedures.
• The SDAO role  ceases when a State Air Operations Manager (SAOM) is activated.

Related Information

• Interagency Aviation Standard Operating Procedure