The Air Operations Branch Director coordinates aviation strategy, resources, and safety to support incident objectives through integrated air operations planning and supervision.
Course overview
ICS-470 prepares personnel to perform the duties of the Air Operations Branch Director (AOBD) within the Operations Section of an Incident Management Team. The course emphasizes management of aviation resources, development of the air operations component of the Incident Action Plan, coordination with internal and external aviation stakeholders, and supervision of aviation missions across complex incident environments. Participants learn how to organize and manage the Air Operations Branch, support the operational planning process, and maintain safe, effective aviation coordination aligned with incident objectives.
Who is this course is for?
- Personnel assigned or preparing to serve as Air Operations Branch Director.
- Responders with aviation operations experience supporting incident management activities.
- Operations Section personnel coordinating aviation missions during incidents.
- Supervisors responsible for integrating aviation resources into incident response operations.
Course objectives
- Describe the roles and responsibilities of the Air Operations Branch Director within the Operations Section.
- Establish and organize the Air Operations Branch to support incident objectives.
- Coordinate aviation missions, facilities, airspace use, and safety considerations.
- Support development of the air operations portion of the Incident Action Plan.
- Apply aviation coordination procedures across Incident Management Team functions.
- Manage communication and information flow between aviation resources and command elements.
- Coordinate aviation operations with external agencies and stakeholders.
- Apply safety management principles across aviation mission types and environments.
Delivery format
Activities may include instructor-led training supported by facilitated discussion, aviation coordination scenarios, Incident Action Plan development activities, mission-planning exercises, operational decision-making simulations, and asynchronous learning components.
Duration
2 days (16 hours)
Recommended pre-requisites:
Successful completion of ICS-300
Please check with your organization or Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to determine whether EMSI recommended pre-requisite completion is required.
Comparable course(s)
NWCG S-470
Next steps
Open Enrollments options on IMT Gear
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