CONTACT: CAL FIRE Duty PIO (916) 651-3473 Calfire.dutypio@fire.ca.gov

RELEASE DATE: September 11, 2025

NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD RELEASES REPORT DETAILING EVENTS LEADING TO LOSS OF CAL FIRE PERSONNEL

Sacramento – The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its report detailing the events that led to the tragic loss of three CAL FIRE aviation personnel assigned to the Broadway Incident on August 6, 2023. Our department and the aerial firefighting community still mourn the deaths of Tony Sousa, Josh Bischof, and Tim Rodriguez. CAL FIRE appreciates the NTSB’s efforts to investigate and document this accident. CAL FIRE has continued to further our aviation safety system and taken the following actions to prevent similar events from occurring in the future.

Aviation Safety Enhancements Implemented by CAL FIRE

1. Enhanced Pilot Training: Developed and implemented a comprehensive training program for Exclusive Use contract helicopter pilots. This includes three modules—totaling 14 hours—covering classroom instruction, sand table exercises, and flight training focused on safety, communications, strategy, tactics, Fire Traffic Area (FTA) procedures, Base/Unit expectations, interoperability with CAL FIRE aircraft, fire scenarios, and coordination with ground resources.
2. Strengthened After-Action Reviews: Mandated daily AARs led by aerial and/or base supervisors, with immediate reviews required following any identified FTA policy or procedure deviations.
3. Empowered Aerial Supervisors: Provided tools, guidance, and authority to supervisors to adjust tactics and resource application in real time to increase operational safety.
4. Expanded Briefings: Broadened Helitack and Air Attack Base morning briefings to include all assigned aircraft, defining roles, departure sequencing, flight routes in controlled or congested airspace, and expected actions upon arrival at incidents.
5. Updated Communications Protocols: Eliminated the use of “tower” terminology for CAL FIRE aviation communication facilities, standardizing the use of discrete frequencies.
6. Interagency Training: Distributed interagency safety training materials and conducted enterprise-wide training, including Crew Resource Management, FTA safety, and communications. A traveling CAL FIRE team also provided in-person training to cooperating counties and partner agencies.
7. Strengthened Contract Requirements: Revised aircraft contracts to require Traffic Avoidance Systems and Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast In (ADS-B) technology.
8. Standardized FTA Checklist: Developed and distributed a detailed FTA checklist with step-by-step instructions for entering FTAs, now integrated into CAL FIRE training programs and used by all CAL FIRE flight crews and Exclusive Use contractors.

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