Improving Aerial Operations Safety

Incident Reporting System

Where we wereWhat we didResults/Benefits

Improving Aerial Operations Safety

Introduction

1996 - MNR Incident Reporting System

Potentially Lead to Injury or Fatality

Data Collection

Potential Deficiencies -processes/procedures

1996

Data1996 data - 8.6 % chance of incident occurrence

Reports submittedAir to air communicationsAir to ground communicationsDrop ZoneAir Space ManagementInteragency Response

Approach• Reduce/Eliminate incident reports• Internal and External

Develop • product• process• implementation• maintenance

Logistical Problems

Strategy/ApproachAAO Staffing ShortageTimely deliveryConsistent messageInteragency response

Strategy/Approach

• Serve as refresher - no new material• Non Air Attack personnel• Utilize for non MNR training• Provincial in nature

• content• messages

Getting Started

Main area identificationAnalyze potential areas

10 areas identified

Safety/Refresher CD

Training

Train the trainer sessionsTrainers tasked - delivery

AAO/pilot attendance

Positive feedbackFine tuningAnnual distribution

MaintenanceOver winter reviewFrom 10 areas - fine tuned to 7

Roles/responsibilities of AAOCommunicationAir/Ground ProceduresRadio proceduresAir Space ManagementInteragency ResponseFeedback

Paid dividends

Incident Reports

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Year

Num

ber o

f Inc

iden

ts

# Incidents Submitted

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Missions %1996 – 70 8.6%1997 – 194 2.6%1998 – 348 3.2%1999 – 134 1.5%2000 – 81 1.2%2001 – 321 3.1%2002 – 107 0.9%

Incident Report Data

Incident Reports

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Year

Num

ber o

f Inc

iden

ts

# Incidents Submitted

Linear (# IncidentsSubmitted)

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Incident Report Trend

Air Attack Safety

200m (700 ft) 150 m (500ft)

60m(200ft)

60m(200ft)

350m (1200ft)

120m (400ft)

Air Attack/ Ground Crew Co-ordination Rules3) Drop Zone: Is to be clear of all people prior to the drop

Air Attack SafetyAdhere to the Drop zone

Results/BenefitsIncreased awareness of Incident Reporting SystemReduced number of incidentsAAO/Field staff interactionInteragency response staff awarenessConsistent provincial safety messagesNew training material to existing coursesImprovements/additions to SOP for AAO’s/IAFBImprovement/additions to Helicopter Briefing booksIncreased feedback into aerial program

2002

Conclusion

Positive Impact on Program Delivery

Questions???

An undesired event HAVING THE POTENTIAL for physical harm to a person, or property damage. It can be described as a near miss or close call.

IncidentIncident