Operations

Helicopter Operations Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Helicopter Operations, Operations

Sub-System	Hazards	Pre-Mitigation			Mitigation	Post-Mitigation
Sub-System	Hazards	Probability	Severity	Risk Level	Mitigation	Probability	Severity	Risk Level
Missions	Multitasking-Pilot, Helicopter Manager, Helibase Manager, Helitack Crew personnel, fueler	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Ensure existing staffing, supervision and management policies and procedures are met. Order resources early when the need is anticipated. Dispatchers need to recognize aviation staffing is a critical safety priority. Limit collateral duties in key supervisory positions. If unable to fill key positions, operations will be shut down or use of aircraft will be limited until span of control issues are resolved.	Possible	Critical	High
	Complexity beyond capabilities/experience of available resources	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Disengage, reassess, and realign objectives until appropriate level of supervision is present. Conduct risk analysis. Ensure situation is recognized and ensure appropriate supervision/resources are ordered. Provide OJT and conduct frequent simulations of highly complex situations.	Possible	Critical	High
	Poor Aviation Strategy (poor risk vs. reward; heli-mopping overuse; alternatives)	Almost Certain	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Utilize safe and effective strategy and tactics. Involve pilot in mission planning. Conduct thorough risk assessment prior to mission. Brief/debrief. Seek appropriate level of approval for high-risk missions, i.e. Helicopter Manager, IC, District Manager, Forest Supervisor, etc. Involve Aviation overhead with operational planning of strategies and tactics for the Appropriate Management Response. Avoid risk/exposure transference.	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
	Jurisdiction/Borders – Mid-Air collision avoidance	Almost Certain	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Boundary Airspace Plan developed/utilized. Follow FTA procedures. Utilize airspace coordinator. COMMUNICATE. Establish TFRs as needed. See and Avoid. Utilization of TCAS. Make AFF a requirement on all aircraft contracts.	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
	Low level flight profile-below 500', Special Use (recons, aerial survey, game count, mapping, etc.)	Possible	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Conduct thorough risk assessment training. Thorough risk assessment/mission plan/performance planning is completed and signed at the appropriate level. Minimize exposure time. Utilize Part 27 certificated T3 helicopters. Ensure that the appropriate PPE/ALSE is used and that the flight is limited to essential flight crew members. Ensure aircraft and pilot are carded for the mission. Conduct high level recon prior to working below 500' AGL.	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
	PASP/Go-No-Go Checklist absent or not complete (Policy Deviation)	Possible	Critical	High	Ensure PASP and risk assessment are completed and approved at appropriate level. Ensure Unit Aviation Managers and Forest Aviation Officers are involved in mission planning when necessary. PASP should be used as a briefing tool. Stress that on the Go/No-Go checklist a NO-GO halts the operation. Ensure that if there are multiple briefings that all information is given at the primary briefing.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Management Decisions	Incident Management Team strategies shift risk from ground operations to aviation operations	Almost Certain	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Utilize safe and effective strategy and tactics. Involve Pilot in mission planning. Conduct thorough risk assessment prior to mission. Brief/debrief. Acquire appropriate level approval signatures for high-risk complex missions, i.e. Helicopter Manager, IC, District Manager, Forest Supervisor, etc. Involve Aviation overhead with operational planning of strategy and tactics for the Appropriate Management Response. Avoid risk/exposure transference.	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
Utilization	Inefficient or improper use of Aircraft for the assigned mission (wrong aircraft selected for a mission, flying without tactical/logistical objectives, etc.)	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Use only an appropriate aircraft for the mission. Conduct thorough pre-mission planning and load calculations. Ensure that tactical/logistical missions have clear, obtainable goals (i.e., Appropriate Aviation Management Response is used). Aircraft assigned should be based on performance and capabilities.	Possible	Critical	High
Environment	Weather: Poor Visibility/Thunderstorms/Hot-High DA/Turbulence	Almost Certain	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Obtain most current/accurate weather reports available. Conduct risk assessment and determine need to conduct mission. Wait until conditions improve. Follow policy on visibility, wind speed, updating load calcs, etc. Utilize part 27 certificated T3 helicopters or better. Establish trigger points to stop operations.	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
	Mountainous Terrain	Almost Certain	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Ensure Pilot is trained, experienced and qualified/carded. Non-local flight crews obtain thorough briefing on local conditions before starting operations. Aircraft appropriate for the mission. Performance planning is completed for environmental conditions. Consider dual pilot operations or utilize a mentor pilot for low experience pilots.	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
	Urban Interface: Wires, General Aviation Traffic, Major Airport Traffic, Communications, Congestion, High Complexity	Likely	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Conduct thorough briefings. Review/establish Interagency agreements. Provide preseason briefing for Media aircrews. Preplan dip sites, staging area, helispots, etc. Update aerial hazard maps. Establish TFRs and issue NOTAMs as appropriate. Require dip site management. Order/utilize aerial supervision (HLCO). Perform Airspace deconfliction and coordination. Provide frequency and airspace management training. Complexity is managed at appropriate level.	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
Communication	Lack of Compatibility (Banding/Frequencies)	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Utilize Unified Command. Review/establish Interagency agreements to reduce/eliminate compatibility issues. Continue education/training.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Frequency management - lack of timely response for Incident Support to obtain additional frequencies	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Evaluate prior reviews and conduct additional national Interagency reviews of frequency management. Release frequencies back to NICC as soon as they are no longer needed. Encourage Dispatch offices to order additional frequencies early in emerging incidents.	Possible	Critical	High
	Cockpit overload	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Encourage pilots to speak up when starting to get overloaded. Discuss safety options with the pilot. Practice division of workload and CRM on incidents and in simulations.	Unlikely	Critical	High
	Inadequate briefing	Possible	Critical	High	Stress to Managers and Pilots the need to slow down and ensure adequate briefings. Follow policy and guidelines, use existing checklists (NSHO, IRPG, etc.) as a minimum. Solicitate feedback, reiterate information given, use of maps, IAPS, and frequency lists. Ensure AARs are being conducted and documented.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Training	Lack of training for specialized missions i.e. rehab (Bale dropping, waddle placement), guzzler placement, etc.	Possible	Critical	High	Consider and encourage using End-Product Contracts. When end-product is not feasible, develop standardized description of how to sling unusual items. Develop a source list for approved equipment. Utilize PASPs. Utilize subject matter experts. Use Tech Tips to share information/procedures.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Training	Lack of standardized training with non-Federal cooperators (non-standard terminology, target description, resource capability and limitations)	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Promote joint training with non-Federal cooperators. Ensure thorough briefings are conducted prior to starting operations. Check Incident Qualification cards.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Human Factors	Lack of Crew Resource Management (CRM)	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Training, Brief/debrief, maintain positive attitude. Promote and attend formalized CRM training for contractors as well as agency employees. Include CRM training/topics at Helicopter Manager Workshops (RT-372). Include CRM as part of the training curriculum for S-372.	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).

Page Last Modified / Reviewed: April 29, 2024

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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Operations

Helicopter Operations Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Helicopter Operations, Operations

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PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

Operations

Helicopter Operations Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Helicopter Operations, Operations

NWCG Latest Announcements

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NWCG National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group