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PMS 515

PMS 515

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations

UAS Program Administration

UAS Typing and Call Signs

Operational Requirements

Mission Planning and Mobilization

Airspace Coordination

Mission Flight Procedures

Aircraft Coordination and Separation

UAS Aerial Ignition

Safety Considerations

UAS Incursions

Job Aids for UAS Operations

Website References

Airspace Coordination

Airspace standards are referenced in the NWCG Standards for Airspace Coordination, PMS 520.

Fire Traffic Area (FTA) Protocol

Firefighting aircraft follow a communications protocol known as the FTA, which is a 12-mile radius from the center point of an incident. UAS are typically launched and recovered from inside the FTA. UASPs must follow this protocol before the aircraft is launched.

  1. All wildland fire incidents, regardless of aircraft on scene, have an FTA. Reference the FTA diagram and find more information in NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505. The airspace surrounding an incident is managed by the aerial supervisor who must implement FTA procedures. If an incident has an active TFR in place, FTA rules apply to the TFR, and clearance from the controlling aircraft is required prior to TFR UAS operations. If aerial supervision is not on scene, the first aircraft on scene will establish the FTA protocol.
  2. The FTA is a communication protocol for firefighting agencies. It does not pertain to other aircraft who have legal access within a TFR (medevac, law enforcement, media, Visual Flight Rule [VFR] airport traffic, or Instrument Flight Rule [IFR] traffic cleared by the FAA).
  3. Key components and procedures of the FTA include:
    1. Initial Communication (ICOM) Ring: A ring 12 nautical miles (nm) from the center point of the incident. At or prior to 12nm, inbound aircraft contact the ATGS or appropriate aerial resource for permission to proceed to the incident. Briefing information is provided to the inbound aircraft by the aerial supervision resources over the incident (ATGS, ASM, and HLCO).
    2. No Communication (NOCOM) Ring: A ring 7nm from the center point of the incident that should not be crossed by inbound aircraft without first establishing communications with the appropriate aerial supervision resource.
    3. Three Cs of initial contact: Communication requirements and related actions to be undertaken by the pilot of the inbound aircraft:
      1. Communication: Establish communications with the controlling aerial supervision resource over the incident (ATGS, ASM, HLCO).
      2. Clearance: Receive clearance from aerial supervision prior to proceeding with UAS operations. The inbound pilot will acknowledge receipt of clearance or hold outside the NOCOM ring or on the ground, until the clearance is received and understood.
      3. Comply: UAS aircraft will comply with clearance from aerial supervision resource. If compliance cannot be accomplished, the UAS will remain on the ground until an amended clearance is received and understood.
  4. UAS departing incident airspace must follow assigned departure route and altitude. Aerial supervisors must establish/deconflict routes for departing aircraft through or away from other incident aircraft operations.
  5. UAS flights by accredited news representatives within a TFR shall adhere to current FAA policy.

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) announces the recipients of the 2025 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Awards. EMC annually recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated outstanding actions or accomplishments that are above and beyond the expectation of one’s normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety of the wildland fire community. These awards are well deserved.

References:

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Emergency Medical Committee

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book Now Available for RAMP

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Airtanker Base Operations Unit

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Ramp Manager (RAMP).

The Performance Support Package for this position was developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for release in January 2027.

References:

NWCG Ramp Manager Position Page

National Interagency Aviation Committee

Make an Impact: Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date:  June 11, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

Note: Positions with an * will last approximately 6 months.
Positions with ** will last 12 - 18 months.

NWCG is seeking experienced wildland firefighters and support personnel to serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) initiative. IPTM aims to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model by updating position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the Fall 2026 positions listed below:

  • Equipment Manager (EQPM)*
  • Fixed Wing Parking Tender (FWPT)**
  • Mixmaster (MXMS)*
  • Public Information Officer Complex (PIOC)*
  • Retardant Crewmember (RTCM)*
  • Strike Team Leader Crew (STCR)*
  • Strike Team Leader Engine (STEN)*
  • Strike Team Leader Heavy Equipment (STEQ)*
  • Task Force Leader (TFLD)**
  • Wildland Fire Investigator (INVF)** 

Projects begin October 2026. Sign up by July 10, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for additional details. 

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

Date:  May 28, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has issued Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters. Research from 2016 to 2025 shows that 88 cases of rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) were reported. Analysis of reports from eSafety, the Safety Management Information System (SMIS), and the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center (LLC) indicates that rhabdo is common during this time of year due to Work Capacity Tests and contributing factors such as weather, hydration, nutrition, and medication or supplement use.

RMC issued this safety bulletin to raise awareness in the Wildland Fire Community, and to provide research findings and educational resources that support reducing future cases of rhabdo.

References:

NWCG Alerts

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters