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PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

NWCG Standards for Aviation Risk Management, PMS 530

NWCG Aviation Risk Management Workbook, PMS 530-1

How to Use Workbook

IMPORTANT: How To Use Workbook

Submit Revision / Recommendation

Fixed Wing Risk Assessments

Helicopter Risk Assessments

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Risk Assessments

Other Risk Assessments

 

Operations

Large Airtanker (LAT) Risk Assessments

Aircraft | Contracts | Operations | Personnel

SYSTEM:  Large Airtanker, Operations

Sub-System Hazards Pre-Mitigation Mitigation Post-Mitigation

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Probability

Severity

Risk Level
Management Inefficient use of airtankers may result in unnecessary risk exposure to aircrew and ground personnel (risk vs. gain)

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 Pilots, fire management, dispatchers, aerial supervisors, and line personnel need proper training on effective use of aircraft. Conduct pre- and post-flight briefings; use AARs as mitigation to prevent accidents. Review incident objectives and adjust tactics as necessary. In extreme weather, set aircraft down until conditions improve.

Possible

Moderate

Medium
A sense of urgency may be placed on crew at various points during the mission

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 Address safety vs. urgency at crew in-briefing with contractor and agency employees. Review How to Refuse Risk with crew. Reinforce this throughout operational periods. Ensure adequate flight planning occurs prior to take off.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Environment CFIT due to low-level operations

Almost Certain

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Perform high-level recon prior to descending to drop height/low-level environment. Utilize aerial supervision and/or lead plane when available. Manage radio communication (sterile cockpit during drop). Reduce time in low-level environment. Ensure aircraft do not go below minimum drop height.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Mountainous terrain

Almost Certain

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Ensure pilots are trained, experienced, and carded/qualified for the mission. Flight crews obtain thorough briefings on local conditions before starting operations.

Possible

Critical

High
Weather: poor visibility, thunderstorms, hot/high DA, turbulence

Almost Certain

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Obtain most current/accurate weather forecast for airport and fire area. Conduct pre-mission risk assessment to determine mission hazards, restrictions, and mitigations. Delay mission until conditions improve. Follow policy on visibility, wind speed updating load calcs, etc. Establish trigger points to stop operations.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Airspace Flying in special use areas (MTRs, TFRs, restricted airspace)

Likely

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Ensure dispatchers have contacted the military for clearance into restricted areas and have completed airspace deconfliction. Transmit appropriate squawk codes. Practice see and avoid. Be aware of private aircraft in TFR area. Utilize aerial supervision when available. Refer to local base plan for specific SUA procedures.

Possible

Moderate

Medium
Congested areas and urban interface

Likely

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Comply with congested area policies in NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505, and ensure that aerial supervision is in place or has been ordered.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Retardant Loading Fatigue of aircrew during hot loading and simultaneous fueling and loading operations (less time out of the cockpit)

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 One crewmember should stand up or leave cockpit when possible. Rotate crewmembers when they need food/fuel/water.  Open door (on opposite side of running engines while hot loading) for fresh air. Consider alternating simultaneous fueling/loading operation with normal fueling/loading operation to provide a longer break outside of aircraft for all crewmembers.

Possible

Critical

High
Overfilling and mixing errors

Possible

Critical

High

 Ensure all airtankers are loaded using a mass flow meter. Vendor and government personnel review and follow mixing and loading procedures.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium

 

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

 

 

Modified / Reviewed:

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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