Skip to main content

6MFS

6MFS Committee

All 6MFS Topics

6MFS Calendar

Aviation

Airtankers

Felling Safety

Fire Communication

Firefighter Health & First Aid

Leadership

Misc Fireline Hazards

Operational Engagement

This Day in History

Vehicles - Roads

Weather - Fire Behavior

Week of Remembrance

Mixing Airtanker Types within Your Ramp Area

 

Throughout the year, airtanker bases will provide service for multiple types of airtankers with different capabilities and procedures for loading and fueling. Coordination between the Airtanker Base Manager (ATBM), ramp personnel, flight crews, loading personnel, and fuel providers is critical to ensure safe and efficient operations.

Discuss the following items as they pertain to your base:

  • How is the Ramp Manager (RAMP) made aware of arriving aircraft and what loading operations they are approved for? For some bases this can mean:
    • A group of SEATs or S-2s looking to hot load.
    • MAFFS operations or LATs and/or VLATs looking to load and fuel simultaneously.
  • What aircraft is your base authorized for?
  • What are the differences of loading a MAFFs versus LATs, VLATs, SEATs and S2s?
  • A briefing should be held with all ramp personnel before the loading operation begins, when it is practical to do so. Discuss topics of a pre-operational briefing with the ramp and loading personnel.
  • It is the ATBM’s decision when to hot load or simultaneous loading and fueling (SL+F) any airtanker in conjunction with the pilot for that aircraft. Discuss what these operations look like at your base and if there are restrictions at your loading pits for either operation.
  • Fixed Wing Parking Tenders (FWPTs) need to keep the RAMP updated on the activity within their area and maintain awareness on the rest of the ramp.
    • When is a wing walker needed at your base?
    • What are the trigger points for adding personnel on the ramp?
  • Discuss the procedures of fueling in your designated fueling areas and what hazards are created by having the fuel truck operating on the ramp.
    • Is fueling allowed in every pit or do you have a different fueling area?

 

Category
Airtankers
References
NWCG Airtanker Base Directory, PMS 507

Last Modified / Reviewed:


Have an idea or feedback?

Share it with the NWCG 6MFS Subcommittee
 


Follow NWCG on X and Facebook
 


 

Print PDF

NWCG Latest Announcements

ETC Bulletin 25-001: Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits - 2025 Field Season

Date: April 16, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

Due to spout failures and the associated risk of burn injuries, manufacturers have retrofitted the Hot/Cold Beverage Kits using a heat-shrinking band to secure the black spout at the insertion site. The updated kits feature a fluorescent label on each full kit assembly for easy identification. Catering units are encouraged to confirm the clear heat-shrinking bands are intact around each spout before filling.

ETC Bulletin 24-001 regarding Hot/Cold Beverage Kits has been archived and replaced by ETC Bulletin 25-001 for the 2025 season.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-25-001 Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and Next Generation Position Task Book for Basic Faller Are Now Available

Date: April 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-19 are now available.

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212 includes position standards designed to be used in conjunction with the Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB). The Next Gen PTB for Basic Faller (FAL3) includes an evaluation guide with suggested rating elements to consider when assessing trainees.

References:

NWCG Standards For Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-119

NWCG Basic Faller (FAL3)

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions

Date: April 9, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
RMC Member Eric Fransted

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) serves as the position steward for all Safety Officer incident positions and continues to improve position standards, training, and naming conventions. The implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) required changes to position titles. RMC collaborated with the NWCG Incident Position Standards Committee (IPSC) to propose and implement these updates. 

References:

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions 

NWCG Position Catalog

Updated, NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination, PMS 412

Date: April 8, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee

PMS 412 provides guidance for wildland fire investigations. This guide outlines recommended procedures, practices, techniques, and methods to promote a systematic approach. The last update to this publication was in 2016.

References:

NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination PMS 412