National Park Service presents aviation awards

NPS Aviation Awards, 2021
Forrest Rackham and Tyrel Matthews (holding the plaques) received the 2021 National Park Service Aviator of the Year Award. NPS photo.

The National Park Service has announced the 2021 awards for excellence and extraordinary service in aviation.

Excellence in Mentorship Aviation Award

This award recognizes an individual or organization who, through training and mentorship of aviation personnel goes above and beyond normal expectations to assist others in developing their personal or professional aviation growth.

Jordan Black – Wildland Fire Module Lead at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Jordan gained qualifications as an NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot (UASP) and Aerial Ignition which allowed him to begin mentoring and training other interagency UAS pilots in these skill sets.

Nathan Gilmore, Missy Schwarz, and Cammy Roy – Helicopter Managers – BLM Alaska Fire Service (AFS)
All three individuals have provided mentorship in helicopter operations to many Alaska NPS employees over the years and developed NPS employees in the areas of Helicopter Crew Member and Helicopter Manager.

Tom Clausing Aviation All Risk (Hazard) Program Award

This award recognizes an individual, crew or program who through professional interactions with coworkers, cooperators, and patients while rendering all risk services promotes innovation, professionalism, and advancements in policy, procedures, techniques, and equipment to further aviation all-hazard programs.

Doug Kraus – Helitack Foreman at Yellowstone National Park
Doug proposed and implemented a change on the equipment of the park’s A-star 350 light helicopter to always carry the full component of short haul gear regardless of the initial mission profile. Less than 24 hours after the equipment change was implemented, Doug responded to an accident involving a smokejumper during an initial attack on the local national forest. Due to Doug’s recent decision to innovate and modify the ship’s configuration, rapid response to the accident site, exemplary wilderness emergency medicine skills and decision making at the scene, and the short-haul proficiency of Doug and his team, the patient was short-hauled to an awaiting air ambulance for advanced medical care within 62 minutes of the initial call for assistance.

Aviator of the Year Award

This award recognizes an individual(s) who performed mission(s) of significant consequence or valor or has actively promoted the advancement or recognition of an NPS aviation program, mission, or service.

Forrest Rackham and Tyrel Matthews – Helitack Lead and Helitack Crewmember – Mesa Verde National Park
On August 1, 2021 the Mesa Verde Helitack crew was assigned to the Middle Fork Complex Fire on the Willamette National Forest for operational support of wildfire suppression efforts, to include their short haul capabilities. During the afternoon of August 2, 2021, the aircrew was notified that a firefighter assigned to scout the fire line had become entrapped. Since there were no viable egress routes to a safe area it was determined that a short haul extraction was the only available means to rescue the firefighter. The firefighter had already dropped his gear and had been trying to stay out of the path of the fire for quite some time, nearing the point of exhaustion. Conditions for locating the firefighter were extremely difficult due to steep terrain, low visibility due to heavy smoke, thick canopy tree cover, and tracking a moving target.

Forrest and Tyrel were able to locate the individual and talk to him via radio, then provided detailed directions to an opening in the canopy and safely extract him when the fire was within 30 yards of the extraction location. This mission certainly saved the life or prevented serious injury of the firefighter, as the possibility of him becoming entrapped by the fire was highly likely. Forrest and Tyrel overcame a significant problem when their radio communication was lost between the two while they were serving as the short haul spotter and short hauler. However, they relied on their extensive training and utilized hand signals for communication until the rescue was completed. The training, coordination of aircrew, and quick thinking by Forrest and Tyrel were instrumental in the survival of the firefighter. They were able to demonstrate their individual skills and those of the entire crew during this incident, highlighting the beneficial aspects of short haul capable aircraft and aircrews.

Wright Brothers Aviation Safety Award

This award recognizes an individual or organization within the NPS at the park, regional, or national level who proactively promotes an open-minded attitude in the prevention of aviation mishaps and accidents, works diligently to correct and improve aviation safety deficiencies and communicates the actions and results to others.

Ryan Thrush – North Rim District Law Enforcement Ranger – Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park/Curecanti National Recreation Area
As the collateral duty park aviation manager, Ryan has shown tremendous leadership training the park’s staff to ensure they have the experience, skills, and qualifications to respond to very difficult situations. Ryan continues to share his knowledge and experience in aviation policy, procedures, and safety with everyone who supports the park’s operations. Ryan’s dedication is noticed and appreciated by all who know Ryan as he continues to go above and beyond his duties as a National Park Service law enforcement ranger in support of aviation operations.

Chad Fisher selected as NPS Chief of Wildland Fire

Chad Fisher
Chad Fisher. NPS photo.

Chad Fisher, who has served as the National Park Service’s (NPS) wildland fire operations program leader since 2017, has been selected as the agency’s chief for the Branch of Wildland Fire. In this position he will lead the team responsible for operations, planning, budget, and science and ecology for the wildland fire management program.

Fisher began his career at Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in 1990 after graduating from Haywood Community College with an associate degree in Fish and Wildlife Management. He spent the early ‘90s working at the refuge during the spring and fall fire seasons and the summer season on the Payette National Forest in Idaho. Chad was a member of the Asheville Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC) in 1993 and the NPS’s Alpine IHC in 1994. He returned to school at University of Montana (UM) in 1995 ultimately earning a Bachelor of Science in Resource Conservation. He worked as a smokejumper in McCall, Idaho and a helitack crew leader for the interagency Lolo National Forest/Salish Kootenai Tribe while attending UM.

Chad worked on the Great Smoky Mountains prescribed fire crew (Wildland Fire Module) before receiving his first career seasonal appointment on the Lewis and Clark National Forest. He returned to Great Smoky Mountains National Park as the assistant module leader and module leader before moving to Boise as a training specialist for the NPS. In the mid 2000’s Chad was the national fire training specialist for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service then returned to the NPS as the wildland fire safety program manager. He received the 2013 Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award for his work with the Dutch Creek mitigations. In 2017 Chad officially became the program lead for NPS Wildland Fire Operations.

Chad is a member of the National Park Service Safety Leadership Council (SLC) and the National Multiagency Coordinating Group (NMAC). His wife Sarah works for the United States Forest Service and they are the proud parents of two sons. He credits his parents and strong mentors from his days at Pocosin Lakes and Alpine IHC with helping him establish a strong foundation early in his life and career. Chad enjoys spending time with his family, running, mountain biking, and sitting by the backyard firepit.

Chad will begin his new position on March 28, 2021.

Kristin Swoboda accepts position in NPS Aviation Branch

Kristin Swoboda
Kristin Swoboda. NPS photo by Tina Boehle.

Kristin Swoboda has been named as the new fleet, pilot, and unmanned aircraft (UAS) specialist for the National Park Service. She will have oversight over the agency’s government owned and operated aircraft.

The last NPS person in the position was Jim Traub who retired in 2014. Christina Boehle, a spokesperson for the NPS, said that from 2014 to 2018 the duties were performed by a contractor.

The National Park Service Aviation Branch has been led by Chief Meg Gallagher since April of this year. Before that Ms. Gallagher was an Aviation Management Specialist responsible for the NPS’ helicopter operations. That position, a GS-12/13, is being advertised now.

Ms. Swoboda just transferred to the National Park Service after working for the Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) in Boise, Idaho as their regional UAS manager. During her time with the bureau, she initiated their involvement with Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). Kristin was instrumental in assisting the development of a department-level UAS policy for the Department of the Interior (DOI) and was part of the team of DOI subject matter experts who worked with NASA to evaluate and select potential new unmanned aircraft. She completed her formal education at the University of Idaho where she graduated with a degree in Forest Resources Ecosystems Management and a minor in Wildfire Management.

She began her federal career with the US Forest Service working in a variety of positions in wildland fire operations, prescribed fire, aviation, engine crews, as well as on an interagency hotshot crew.

In the past few years, her interest in unmanned aircraft carried over into the creation of a personal commercial UAS business focused mainly on precision agriculture applications. This has aided in increasing her breadth of knowledge in unmanned operations, camera/sensor deployment, and the creation of multiple types of data products.

Kristin also holds a private pilot’s license and owns a Beechcraft Sierra B24R low-wing monoplane. She has experience in flying various types of aircraft including an Atec Faeta, Piper Archer, Piper Warrior, Cirrus SR22, Columbia 400 and Cessna Taildraggers. Fostering her love of flying has accelerated her passion to expand her aviation knowledge, and to develop this enthusiasm in others.

Jim Traub National Park Service
Jim Traub (right) at AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI in 2009. He retired July 30, 2014.

NPS to hire branch chief for aviation

National Park Service amphibious aircraft

Above: National Park Service photo.

The National Park Service is expecting to hire a National Aviation Program Manager to fill the position vacated last month by the retirement of Jon Rollens. The GS-14 position provides leadership and direction for NPS aviation programs with specific emphasis on national aviation policy, standards and procedures.

There is only one “selective placement factor”. Applicants must have at least 90 days of wildland firefighting experience.

A pilot’s license is not required.

Skills the candidates should have include knowledge of:

  • Aircraft and associated support systems for resource management;
  • Wildland fire management, law enforcement, search and rescue, and related flying activities;
  • Evaluation and audit processes for aviation safety and risk management analysis.

Neither Mr. Rollens or his predecessor, Susie Bates, were pilots.

Before becoming NPS Branch Chief of Aviation in 2011, Mr. Rollens was the Regional Aviation Officer  for the U.S. Forest Service’s Northwest Region for nine years. From 1997 through 2002 he was a National Aerial Attack Systems Specialist for the Forest Service, and before that, a Helicopter Operations Specialist for the USFS Intermountain Region.

Our opinion:

The National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the other federal land management agencies would benefit from having qualified pilots in their top regional and national aviation positions. We have been told that the USFS National Aviation Officer is not a pilot and only one of their Regional Aviation Officers is. A person in these jobs who does not know what they don’t know can be dangerous.

For a position that leads the entire aviation program, if it comes down to two applicants, one with 90 days as a wildland firefighter and another with a pilot’s license, the pilot should get the nod. Most of the complexity in these positions is on the aviation side, not the firefighting aspect. There is a great deal of fire expertise in the organizations that the Aviation Officers can tap into. A wealth of specific and detailed aviation knowledge from a pilots perspective is more rare.

Federal hiring procedures are ridiculously complex, but these agencies should figure out a way to be able to hire at the GS-13 and 14 level, a pilot with extensive program management skills, even if they don’t have firefighting experience.

Two NPS employees receive Paul Gleason awards

Chad Fisher and Jim Shultz,. NPS, received Paul Gleason award
Chad Fisher and Jim Shultz of the NPS received Paul Gleason Lead By Example awards

From the NPS Morning Report:

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“Two staff members from the National Park Service Branch of Wildland Fire were recently awarded the prestigious Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award for 2013. The intent of this award is to recognize individuals or groups who exhibit Gleason’s professional spirit and who exemplify the wildland fire leadership values of duty, respect, and integrity.

Chad Fisher, wildland fire safety program manager, and Jim Shultz, wildland fire training program manager, each received the award. Only three individuals and one group from across the wildland fire service were chosen to receive this national award for 2013.

“To have not just one, but two employees, honored with this interagency award, really highlights the caliber of work and leadership by NPS wildland fire management staff,” said acting National Park Service Wildland Fire Branch Chief Mark Koontz. “Chad and Jim are outstanding representatives in their respective fields.”

bootsIn addition to his mission, vision, and dedication to ensuring that firefighter safety is always the number one objective on all assignments and every fire, regardless of size or complexity, Chad Fisher was recognized for his work with the Dutch Creek mitigations. Chad’s actions to reach across agency boundaries have contributed to a shift in culture regarding incident-within-an-incident planning. His dedicated effort to ensure  that staff  understand, weigh, and communicate the consequences of placing firefighters in harm’s way to decision-makers, along with  ensuring that there is a mechanism to evacuate injured firefighters, sets the example for all to follow.

He was also commended for his work with firefighter nutrition, the Incident Response Pocket Guide revision, leadership development activities, facilitated learning analyses, and serious accident investigation teams. Chad’s leadership exemplifies the values of duty, respect, and integrity.

Jim Shultz was recognized for his ability to develop subordinates across agency boundaries through programs like the Fire and Aviation Mentoring program and the National Interagency Joint Apprentice Committee. As memorial group supervisor for the Honor Guards and Pipes and Drums, Jim’s calm demeanor and leadership skills helped ensure all honor guards worked together to make the Granite Mountain Hotshot Memorial Serviceas seamless as possible.

As an advocate for leadership development, Jim seeks improvement and develops others for the betterment of the individual as well as the team and organization. This has been shown through field assignments and pioneering the wildland fire leadership and career development video series to help young firefighters answer questions regarding the rights steps to take toward a permanent career as a wildland firefighter. Jim exemplifies the values of duty, respect and integrity.

The award was created by the NWCG Leadership Subcommittee to remember Paul Gleason’s contributions to the wildland fire service. During a career spanning five decades, Paul was a dedicated student of fire, a teacher of fire, and a leader of firefighters. The intent of this award is to recognize individuals or groups who exhibit this same spirit and who exemplify the wildland fire leadership values of duty, respect and integrity.

Congratulations to Chad and Jim on their achievements.”

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Last year the awards were presented to Anthony Escobar, John Lauer and Shane Olpin.