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Interagency Airtanker and Scooper Operations Subcommittee

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IASOS decorative banner. A single engine airtanker and a large airtanker fly toward a fire with water and retardant being dropped.
Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Interagency Airtanker and Scooper Operations Subcommittee (IASOS) provides national leadership in all areas of interagency airtanker/airtanker base, single engine airtanker (SEAT), and scooper operations. The IASOS develops and disseminates operational standards that promote safe, secure, effective, efficient operations. These standards include facility and equipment requirements, operational and administrative procedures, and personnel qualifications and training.

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Primary Objectives

  • Provide technical assistance regarding airtanker/airtanker base, SEAT, and scooper operations.
  • Promote cooperation and standardization in interagency airtanker/airtanker base, SEAT, and scooper operations.
  • Identify airtanker/airtanker base, SEAT, and scooper operations issues, develop solutions, and recommend corrective actions to the National Interagency Aviation Committee (NIAC).
  • Support standardized training for airtanker/airtanker base, SEAT, and scooper operations and provide leadership in training course development, implementation, evaluation, and revision.
  • Ensure that airtanker base standards are consistent with member agency procedures, practices, and expectations.
  • Serve as a central source of information, guidance, and support for national and geographic area airtanker/airtanker base, SEAT, and scooper operations.
  • Provide contracting technical assistance and support as requested.

Chair: Leslie Casavan

NWCG Coordinator: Dave Schultz

Parent Committee: National Interagency Aviation Committee

Meeting Schedule: TBD

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NWCG Latest Announcements

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

Updated NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508

Date: March 31, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Airtanker Base Operations Unit

The updated NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations (SABO), PMS 508 standardizes operations and procedures at interagency airtanker bases to ensure safe, efficient, and effective operations in support of interagency goals and objectives.

References:

NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508