Frequently Asked Questions

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Airtanker

Yes. Document the starting and ending fuel amounts and notify the COR and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)/Air program.

If possible, have the crew come on prior to the start time and complete the proficiency flight. If they choose to not come in early and the airtanker receives a dispatch prior to the proficiency flight, the airtanker would be unavailable until the proficiency flight is completed. Call the airtanker COR (Contracting Officers Representative) listed on the most current Schedule of Items for additional clarification on proficiency flights.

Unavailability is assessed until either the aircraft is returned to contract availability by the AMI or at the end of the 14-hour availability period, whichever comes first. If the aircraft is unavailable for any part of the 14 hours, even if the aircrews are not on site, or even if it is well past sunset, UA will be assessed until the airtanker is returned to contract availability by the AMI.

State airtankers would be sent to state fires and may load and return without the federal airtankers being included in the rotation. Federal airtankers would be sent first to federal fires and the state airtankers may be added to the rotation. There is no requirement saying that either state or federal airtankers must be included in the rotation of the other agencies’ fires. You may contact your local GACC and request additional Alpha numbers for airtankers to be included in the rotation, but the ordering agency has the authority to deny the request.

Reference the Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations, Chapter 16 for Airtanker Rotation information.

Contact the applicable Contracting Officer or Program Manager for the appropriate code.

Utilize the DLA rate at the location the airtanker is leaving to go to company headquarters. Contact the National DLA Air Card Coordinator to identify the rate.

You can find the Appendices on the SABO attributes page.

Utilize the Forest Service Contracted Airtanker Status Notification Form QR Code for any airtanker under a Forest Service Contract that is out of service. For the DOI/BLM notify dispatch, local Geographic Area Coordination Center (GACC), Aircraft Maintenance Inspector (AMI), SECO, and COR. Dispatch and the GACC should be notified immediately, and the remainder of the notifications need to happen as soon as practical. A group text or email will suffice. The same notifications need to be made when the airtanker has been returned to contract availability by the AMI.

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Date: November 14, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention. Misaligned toolless fuel caps on Stihl chainsaws have led to recurring fuel spillage, fuel ignition, and burn injuries during wildland fire management operations.

This Safety Warning is intended to highlight the details and recommended procedures for the installation of a Stihl chainsaw toolless fuel cap, as well as how to identify and correct a misaligned, damaged, or broken fuel cap to help prevent fuel spillage.

References:

NWCG Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Advertencia de equipos 24-001: Prevención de derrames de la tapa de combustible sin herramientas de la motosierra Stihl

NWCG Alerts

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51 and NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for EQTR, includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Equipment Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51

NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53 and NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for PTRC, includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Personnel Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53

NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53

NWCG Risk Management Committee Releases Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

Date: November 7, 2024
Contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has released Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires. As wildland fire respirators are available through several established vendors, wildland fire personnel need to understand regulations and limitations of respirator use in the workplace.

Safety Bulletin 24-001 outlines the following topics regarding respirator use for wildland fires:

Requirements for Respirator Use
Voluntary Respirator Use
Current Respirator Options
Unknown Risks of Respirator Use

This bulletin also provides mitigation recommendations to help reduce smoke exposure for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

NWCG Smoke Management Guide for Prescribed Fire, PMS 420-3

VIDEO: Protecting Wildfire Personnel from Smoke - How Incident Management Teams Address Smokes Risks

VIDEO: Smoke, Knowing the Risks

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

Frequently Asked Questions

NWCG Latest Announcements

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NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to do anything when the proficiency flight is non-revenue?

During the non-revenue flight does the airtanker continue to get paid availability or is unavailability assessed for the duration of the flight?

For airtankers on 14-hour daily availability, when they go out of service mechanical towards the end of the day, does their unavailability (UA) continue until the end of the 14-hour availability day?

If I have federal and state contracted Large Airtankers, what are the requirements for airtanker rotation?

What job code is used for revenue flights back to company headquarters at the end of the Mandatory Availability Period (MAP)?

What rate is used for fuel to return the airtanker to the level they began the year?

Where do I find the Appendices for the NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations (SABO), PMS 508?

Who do Airtanker Base Managers (ATBMs) need to contact when an airtanker operating out of their airtanker base goes out of service?

NWCG Latest Announcements

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NWCG National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group