Operations

Single Engine Airtanker (SEAT)

[view:pms_530_1_navigation=fw_seat]

SYSTEM: SEAT, Operations

Sub-System	Hazards	Pre-Mitigation			Mitigation	Post-Mitigation
Sub-System	Hazards	Probability	Severity	Risk Level	Mitigation	Probability	Severity	Risk Level
Missions	Inefficient use of SEATs may result in unnecessary risk exposure to SEAT pilot and ground personnel. (risk vs. gain)	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	SEAT pilot, fire managers, dispatchers, line personnel, and aerial supervisors need proper education/training on use of SEATs. Use AAR as mitigation tool to prevent re-occurrence. Conduct pre- and post-mission briefings. Review How to Refuse Risk protocols.	Possible	Moderate	Medium
	Flying low level at operational weights and airspeeds in areas with hazards	Almost Certain	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Perform high-level reconnaissance prior to descending to work in the low-level environment. Utilize aerial supervision/leadplanes when available. Utilize proper aircraft energy management techniques. Receive thorough in-briefing on area hazards.	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
	Inexperienced personnel-government and contractors	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Agency and contractors need to evaluate required training to determine if personnel are staying current with program needs. Provide training at beginning of season and exercises/simulations throughout season. During operations ensure there are adequately trained and experienced personnel to mentor trainees.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	A sense of urgency may be placed on contractor personnel at various points in the mission	Possible	Critical	High	Address the safety vs. urgency issue as a special-emphasis item during in-briefing with contractor and agency employees. Reinforce this throughout the entire operational period. Utilize Go/No-Go checklists. Recognize pilot is final decision maker for whether flight occurs.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Drop height minimums	Almost Certain	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Maintain 60-ft. obstacle clearance as the minimum descent altitude for all fire operations except during takeoff and landing.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Poor fuel management	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Monitor fuel quantities. Monitor fuel flow vs time. Follow fuel transfer procedures. Allow enough time for pre-flight and flight planning. Know refueling locations. Query other pilots on fuel status and availability for planned route.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Single pilot cockpit workload	Possible	Catastrophic	High	Maintain sterile cockpit policy, minimize in-flight diversions and frequency changes. Utilize aerial supervision to decrease pilot workload.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Wake turbulence	Possible	Critical	High	Exercise caution when in congested airspace or trailing other aircraft. Allow enough space between larger airtankers in front of SEATs during operations, especially during drops.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Lack of standardized dispatch form	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Ensure that SEMGs verify all dispatch information. Refer to the SABO for required minimum dispatch information. Implement utilization of national standard aircraft dispatch form.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Ramp/taxi operations and communications	Almost Certain	Critical	High	Establish local ramp/taxi protocols in cooperation with local airport operations prior to utilization. Ensure adequate ingress and egress to the ramp. Ensure thorough in-briefing and monitor assigned ramp frequency. Utilize FWPT/RAMP when loading multiple aircraft.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Environment	Conflicting airspace environment	Possible	Critical	High	Local agency must provide orientation and situational awareness overview to SEAT pilots on Special Use Airspace, MTRs, TFRs etc. Utilize updated electronic equipment if possible [e.g., Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast in (ADS-B in)]. Assure that dispatch and aviation program personnel are trained in procedures for SUA and on local Airspace Boundary Plan. Use aerial supervision when available. Practice see and avoid.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Hazardous and extreme weather conditions	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Confirm updated weather information resources are available. Utilize updated electronic equipment if possible. Confirm that red-flag warnings are communicated. Ensure updates on changing weather conditions are shared between pilots, airbase mangers, dispatchers, etc. Delay flight or cancel if necessary. Go/No-Go is PIC decision. Ensure base operating plan identifies trigger points for extreme weather conditions.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Hazards and extreme terrain	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Get an adequate mission briefing and use performance planning to prevent CFIT events. Perform high level reconnaissance prior to descending to the low-level environment. Use aerial supervision when available. Utilize electronic map technology if possible.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Congested areas and urban interface	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Comply with congested area policies and ensure that aerial supervision is in place or has been requested.	Possible	Critical	High
Retardant Loading	Pilot fatigue during hot loading operations (less time out of cockpit)	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Ensure pilot has adequate hydration and food to sustain operations. Pilot should get out of aircraft during fueling operations (no hot fueling), at fuel cycle in between hot loading operations. Open window when loading for fresh air.	Possible	Critical	High
Retardant Loading	Overfilling and mixing errors	Possible	Critical	High	Utilize a mass flow meter when loading if possible. Vendor and agency personnel will review and follow mixing and loading procedures, including use of hand signals, listed in base operating plan. Pilot and base manager will be notified immediately if aircraft is overfilled.	Unlikely	Moderate	Medium
Communications	Lack of available frequencies	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Manage available frequencies as best as possible. Request additional frequencies as needed and release frequencies in a timely manner when no longer needed. Do not change frequencies in the middle of a shift without allowing adequate time for SEAT pilots to re-program radios. Train all users in radio discipline. Utilize AFF when possible.	Possible	Critical	High
Communications	Inadequate clarification of chain of command (who is in charge)	Possible	Critical	High	Validate tactical (A/G and A/A) contacts identified on the aircraft dispatch form. Ensure the pilot has a copy and validate frequencies during pre-mission planning.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Performance Planning	Lack of planning - incorrect calculation of allowable retardant load; weight and balance	Possible	Critical	High	Pilots need to ensure that proper weight and balance and performance planning is completed and shared with base personnel. Utilize appropriate aircraft performance charts for the area of operations. Base personnel should be aware of trigger points for downloading retardant, water, etc. PIC will inform ground personnel on need for downloads.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Performance Planning	Lack of information on incident conditions	Possible	Critical	High	Brief utilizing the IAP for the daily objectives/assignments, frequencies, assigned aircraft, predicted fire behavior and weather. Utilize national standard aircraft dispatch form. Obtain as much information as possible from dispatch, other aerial and ground resources. Obtain information from pilot after initial load on necessary mitigation. Use aerial supervision when available. PIC has final authority on Go/No-Go. Monitor AFF.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium

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

Page Last Modified / Reviewed: April 25, 2024

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1 and NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1

Date: July 17, 2024
Contact: Training Delivery Committee

The Training Delivery Committee (TDC) has updated the NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1 to reflect changes in the standards for course management and delivery. These changes have been reviewed and approved by the members of TDC over the past year. Significant updates include additional delivery methods, updated definitions, and instructions for the use of digital signatures on training certificates. The NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1 has been updated to lock after an electronic signature has been applied.

References:

NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1

NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1

IBC Memo 24-01: OF 297 Signature Order and 2024 Fire Season Use IBC Memo 24-02: Summary of Changes for SIIBM, PMS 902

Date: July 15, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

The NWCG Incident Business Committee (IBC) has recently released two memorandums. The first provides direction on the use of the Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 for the 2024 fire season. Due to delays in hard copy printing, both the 2024 revision and the older version of the Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 are acceptable for use during the 2024 fire season.

The second memorandum documents the updates of the newly revised NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management (SIIBM), PMS 902. The summary of changes attached to the memo covers the major updates and process changes from the 2022 version.

References:

IBC Memorandum 24-01: OF 297 Signature Order and 2024 Fire Season Use

IBC Memorandum 24-02: Summary of Changes for the NWCG Standards of Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902

IBC Memorandum 24-02 Attachment: Summary of Changes

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

Date: July 10, 2024
Contact: Incident Medical Unit Subcommittee

A new publication from the Incident Medical Unit Subcommittee is now available. The NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552 will be used as a guide and as an opportunity to begin to build out Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) modules for the remainder of Fire Year 2024. These standards will be fully implemented as the minimum standard starting in January 2025.

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support outlines the roles, duties, qualifications, and equipment pertinent to REMS. A REMS team, strategically stationed at wildland fires, plays a pivotal role in prioritizing swift access and medical treatment to injured or ill firefighters for safe and efficient egress off the fireline. This ensures their rapid transport to definitive medical care in cases of emergency during firefighting operations, highlighting the invaluable contribution of the REMS team to firefighter safety and well-being.

References:

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

National Wildland Firefighter Day

Date: July 2, 2024
Contact: National Interagency Fire Center

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) would like to recognize July 2, 2024, as National Wildland Firefighter Day (NWFFD). Established in 2022, NWFFD honors the dedication of wildland firefighters and support personnel. This day falls within the 2024 Week of Remembrance (June 30 - July 6), providing an opportunity to renew our commitment to wildland firefighter safety while remembering those who have fallen in the line of duty.

NWCG continues to provide leadership to enable interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners. NWCG standards and training establish common practices to contribute to safe, effective, and coordinated national interagency wildland fire operations.

References:

NWCG.gov

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PMS 530-1

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Operations

Single Engine Airtanker (SEAT)

SYSTEM: SEAT, Operations

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PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

Operations

Single Engine Airtanker (SEAT)

SYSTEM: SEAT, Operations

NWCG Latest Announcements

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NWCG National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group