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PMS 530-1

Operations

Aerial Supervision Risk Assessments

Aircraft | Operations | Maintenance | Personnel


SYSTEM:  Aerial Supervision, Operations

Sub-System Hazards Pre-Mitigation Mitigation Post-Mitigation

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Mission Poor visibility (smoke) especially in low level environment

Almost Certain

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Limit exposure. 

A) Determine effectiveness of the operation (risk vs. benefit) and discontinue if warranted.

B) Limit number of aircraft in operating area.

C) Increase vertical/horizontal separation of aircraft.

Possible

Critical

High

Wake turbulence in Leadplane and ASM platforms due to close proximity of airtankers

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

A) Situational awareness assists prevention.

B) Communication helps to avoid wake turbulence areas.

C) Wake turbulence avoidance procedures (altitude, time, distance).

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Weather (turbulence/wind/thunderstorms)

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

A) Adjust tactics or shut down air ops.

B) Increase vertical/horizontal separation of aircraft.

C) Utilize human aided technology (weather radar, etc.).

D) Encourage dispatch to obtain/ communicate weather information.

E) Utilize and share pilot reports of severe weather.

Possible

Critical

High

Poor fuel management

Possible

Critical

High

A) Monitor fuel quantities.

B) Follow fuel transfer procedures.

Unlikely

Critical

High

Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) due to low level Leadplane and ASM operations

Almost Certain

Catastrophic

Extremely High

A) Ensure high level recon is completed prior to commencing low level flight.

B) Manage radio communication.

C) Proper aircraft configuration.

D) Reduce exposure time in low level.

E) Consult sectional chart/hazard map, consult ground personnel and other aircraft.

F) Obtain unit inbrief and utilize local knowledge.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

Airtanker overruns the Leadplane/ASM

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

A) Brief the exit route.

B) Airspeed control.

C) Communicate the event.

D) Maneuver to avoid collision.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

ATGS/ASM aircraft emergency (engine out, fire, bird strike, mechanical failure, etc.)

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Crew cross training and familiarization with aircraft systems and emergency procedure checklists (pinch hitter/simulator training).

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

Aircraft emergency occurs in low level lead operation with Leadplane

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

A) Preplan escape routes.

B) Train for emergency procedures.

C) Fly the aircraft.

D) Communicate and maintain situational awareness (SA).

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Leadplane/ASM operating in close proximity to other aircraft (mid-air potential)

Almost Certain

Catastrophic

Extremely High

A) Communication established with all aircraft. 

B) Situational awareness.

C) TCAS.

D) Establish clear and concise directions for simultaneous operations, (virtual fence, geographic separation, altitude separation, holding/timing, establish Initial point, ingress/egress route).

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

Reliance on technology causes distraction, low situational awareness, division of attention in the cockpit

Almost Certain

Catastrophic

Extremely High

A) Maintain situational awareness.

B) Maintain see and avoid techniques.

C) Prioritize mission/ cockpit workload.

D) Utilize CRM practices.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

Aircraft emergency during ASM/ATGS operations (engine out, fire, bird strike, mechanical failure, etc)

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Crew cross training and familiarization with aircraft systems and emergency procedure checklists (pinch hitter/simulator training).

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

ASM/ATGS operations exceed span of control

Possible

Critical

High

A) Ensure roles and responsibilities are assigned and understood within aerial supervision crew.

B) Assign aircraft to common functions and tasks with a single point of contact.

C) Hold aircraft at base to limit the number of assigned aircraft over the incident.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Unclear objectives/tactics

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

A) Ensure strategy and tactics are clear and understood.

B) Use common terminology, solicit/utilize feedback.

Possible

Critical

High

ASM/ATGS performance results in hazardous operation

Possible

Critical

High

A) Shut down the operation, deconflict the area and return to base to rebrief the mission.

B) Mentor, proficiency check-ride, retrain / recertify.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

ASM/ATGS unnecessary exposure due to inefficient operational use of tactical aircraft

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

A) SOPs for all tactical aircraft types.

B) Right tool for job.

C) Training, feedback, brief/debrief.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Airspace FTA: aircraft not complying with procedures

Likely

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Aerial supervision enforces FTA procedures.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Multiple initial attack incidents in same area cause confusion, near miss hazard

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

A) Coordinate with dispatch and other aircraft.  

B) Ensure fire names, frequencies, locations, and aircraft assignments are communicated to all flight crews.

Possible

Critical

Medium

Special use airspace: Aircraft not having authorization to enter the SUA, not coordinating with controlling agency

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

A) See and avoid.

B) Know SUA areas.

C) Establish communication with controlling agency.

D) Thorough briefings.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Non-incident aircraft intrusion in TFR

Likely

Catastrophic

Extremely High

A) See and avoid, Inform other aircraft on scene. 

B) Reevaluate TFR promotion.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

Fires in proximity to airport/airstrip. Potential for mid-air collision or intrusion in FTA

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

A) Implement/validate TFR as incident expands, deconflict SUA, establish commo with controlling agency, notify other aircraft.

B) Provide TFR transition corridors for non-incident aircraft on large incidents.

C) Increase awareness of GA operators and other agency flight crews not assigned to incident.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

Communications Radio frequency congestion

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

Exercise radio discipline and/or order additional frequencies as needed.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

State/county/rural resources on different bandwidth

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

Coordinate with cooperators to find a way to communicate with one another.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Hazardous air operations resulting from inaccurate information disseminated through the dispatch system

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

A) Verify information at time of dispatch.

B) Flight crews will brief/debrief with dispatchers.

C) Provide aviation training for dispatchers.

D) Maintain qualified dispatcher on the aircraft desk.

Possible

Critical

High

 

Download the Word version (docx) of this information and the Risk Assessment Matrix (pdf) to use with the Risk Assessment Worksheet (docx).

 

 

Modified / Reviewed:

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