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UAS Incursions

 

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, have become more common on wildland fire incidents. Trained UAS operators provide incident support through aerial operations. While UAS have become more common, unauthorized UAS incursions have also become increasingly common. A UAS incursion is defined as a non-participating UAS operating over or near an incident that intrudes into an area with a temporary flight restriction (TFR) or interferes with incident/mission operations.

Unauthorized UAS flights pose a serious risk to firefighter and public safety and the effectiveness of incident operations. Incident aircraft such as helicopters and fixed-wing can fly at very low altitudes, typically just a couple of hundred feet above the ground, similar to unmanned aircraft. This increases the risk of mid-air collisions or pilot distractions that could result in a serious or fatal accident.

Unauthorized UAS flights could lead incident managers to suspend aircraft operations until the UAS has left the airspace and managers are confident it will not return. This can lead to delays in operations and tactical support, while threatening lives, property, transportation of personnel, and valuable natural and cultural resources.

An additional risk associated with unauthorized UAS operating in the airspace around an incident is the potential for it to lose its communication link with the operator. This could result in the drone falling and potentially causing serious injuries or death to incident personnel working below.

What should you do if you see a non-participating UAS over your incident?

  • Notify the Air Attack Group Supervisor (ATGS) over the incident:
  • Time spotted, Location, Attitude, Direction, Operator, Location
  • If there is no ATGS over the incident:
  • Notify pilots over the incident: Time spotted, Location, Attitude, Direction, Operator, Location
  • Notify dispatch of incursion: Time spotted, Location, Attitude, Direction, Operator, Location
  • Additional contacts that may be needed:
  • Air Operations Branch Director (AOBD), Law Enforcement Officer (LEO),
  • Incident Commander (IC)
  • Unit or Forest Aviation Officer (UAM/FAO), Geographic Area Coordination Center (GACC),
  • Agency UAS Safety Manager

File a SAFECOM

 

Category
Aviation


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NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1 and NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1

Date: July 17, 2024
Contact: Training Delivery Committee 

The Training Delivery Committee (TDC) has updated the NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1 to reflect changes in the standards for course management and delivery. These changes have been reviewed and approved by the members of TDC over the past year. Significant updates include additional delivery methods, updated definitions, and instructions for the use of digital signatures on training certificates. The NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1 has been updated to lock after an electronic signature has been applied.

References:

NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1

NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1

IBC Memo 24-01: OF 297 Signature Order and 2024 Fire Season Use IBC Memo 24-02: Summary of Changes for SIIBM, PMS 902

Date: July 15, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee 

The NWCG Incident Business Committee (IBC) has recently released two memorandums. The first provides direction on the use of the Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 for the 2024 fire season. Due to delays in hard copy printing, both the 2024 revision and the older version of the Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 are acceptable for use during the 2024 fire season.

The second memorandum documents the updates of the newly revised NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management (SIIBM), PMS 902. The summary of changes attached to the memo covers the major updates and process changes from the 2022 version.

References:

IBC Memorandum 24-01: OF 297 Signature Order and 2024 Fire Season Use

IBC Memorandum 24-02: Summary of Changes for the NWCG Standards of Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902

IBC Memorandum 24-02 Attachment: Summary of Changes

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

Date: July 10, 2024
Contact: Incident Medical Unit Subcommittee 

A new publication from the Incident Medical Unit Subcommittee is now available. The NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552 will be used as a guide and as an opportunity to begin to build out Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) modules for the remainder of Fire Year 2024. These standards will be fully implemented as the minimum standard starting in January 2025.

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support outlines the roles, duties, qualifications, and equipment pertinent to REMS. A REMS team, strategically stationed at wildland fires, plays a pivotal role in prioritizing swift access and medical treatment to injured or ill firefighters for safe and efficient egress off the fireline. This ensures their rapid transport to definitive medical care in cases of emergency during firefighting operations, highlighting the invaluable contribution of the REMS team to firefighter safety and well-being.

References:

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

National Wildland Firefighter Day

Date: July 2, 2024
Contact: National Interagency Fire Center 

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) would like to recognize July 2, 2024, as National Wildland Firefighter Day (NWFFD). Established in 2022, NWFFD honors the dedication of wildland firefighters and support personnel. This day falls within the 2024 Week of Remembrance (June 30 - July 6), providing an opportunity to renew our commitment to wildland firefighter safety while remembering those who have fallen in the line of duty.

NWCG continues to provide leadership to enable interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners. NWCG standards and training establish common practices to contribute to safe, effective, and coordinated national interagency wildland fire operations.

References:

NWCG.gov

Week of Remembrance

National Wildland Firefighter Day