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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

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Fixed Wing Risk Assessments

Helicopter Risk Assessments

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Risk Assessments

Other Risk Assessments

 

Personnel, Government

Helicopter Operations Risk Assessments

Aircraft | Facilities | Operations | Personnel Contractors | Personnel Government | Technology

SYSTEM:  Helicopter Operations, Personnel (Government)

Sub-System Hazards Pre-Mitigation Mitigation Post-Mitigation

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Probability

Severity

Risk Level
Policy Operational and mission goals during all-hazard assignments may be unstated or unclear and may conflict with interagency standards and policy

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 Adequate in-brief and dissemination of Commander's intent. Clarification of scope of authority and policy in place.  Adhere to interagency policy, procedures and guidelines (e.g., NSHO). If unable to perform duties utilizing interagency policy, perform a separate risk assessment with appropriate approval sign off. Ensure personnel are working within the scope of their employment. Implementation of Aviation Doctrine may further mitigate conflicts between direction and policy.

Possible

Critical

High
Training Unable to bring seasonals on early enough to provide all the required training prior to sending on incidents

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 Ensure line officers are committed to providing adequate time and funding to develop personnel as necessary.

Possible

Critical

High
Lack of Crew Resource Management (CRM)

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 Provide adequate time for training and provide time for Modules to develop CRM prior to field season.  Provide training in CRM for Modules annually. Brief/debrief, maintain positive attitude.

Possible

Critical

High
Human Factors Fatigue/burnout due to incident duration as well as year-round All Risk incident support

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 Adhere to work/rest guidelines. Monitor fatigue levels of crews. Rotate personnel and helicopter programs to manage fatigue and burnout. Manage number and duration of assignments. Ensure adequate time off and provide quality R and R while on assignments.

Possible

Critical

High
Acceptance of high-risk missions as normal

Likely

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Review risk assessment and existing policy/procedures, brief/debrief with all personnel and utilize risk management tools to include Go-No-Go Checklists. Educate personnel on the hazards of normalization of risk and complacency. Mission decision made at appropriate level. Must have better communication and collaboration between Operations and Aviation.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High
High workload for Maintenance Inspectors may compromise their ability to perform thorough inspections.  Standard inspections criteria not followed consistently among agencies or regions

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 Increase amount of personnel available to perform the duties of Maintenance Inspector in proportion with span of control. Ensure inspection standards are developed and maintained by agencies.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Conflicting personalities resulting in hazardous attitudes

Possible

Critical

High

 If individuals cannot professionally resolve differences, managers and supervisors must intervene immediately. Brief/debrief, employ CRM, provide honest and objective feedback, maintain positive attitude. Maintain professionalism and mission focus at all times.

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).

 

 

Last Modified / Reviewed:

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Date: April 23, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee

The NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 standardizes processes and procedures for the interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This updated publication provides the aviation community with standards to ensure UAS are used safely, effectively, and efficiently in support of fire management goals and objectives.

References:

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

NWCG National Interagency Aviation Committee

ETC Bulletin 25-001: Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits - 2025 Field Season

Date: April 16, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

Due to spout failures and the associated risk of burn injuries, manufacturers have retrofitted the Hot/Cold Beverage Kits using a heat-shrinking band to secure the black spout at the insertion site. The updated kits feature a fluorescent label on each full kit assembly for easy identification. Catering units are encouraged to confirm the clear heat-shrinking bands are intact around each spout before filling.

ETC Bulletin 24-001 regarding Hot/Cold Beverage Kits has been archived and replaced by ETC Bulletin 25-001 for the 2025 season.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-25-001 Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and Next Generation Position Task Book for Basic Faller Are Now Available

Date: April 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-19 are now available.

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212 includes position standards designed to be used in conjunction with the Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB). The Next Gen PTB for Basic Faller (FAL3) includes an evaluation guide with suggested rating elements to consider when assessing trainees.

References:

NWCG Standards For Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-119

NWCG Basic Faller (FAL3)

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions

Date: April 9, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
RMC Member Eric Fransted

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) serves as the position steward for all Safety Officer incident positions and continues to improve position standards, training, and naming conventions. The implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) required changes to position titles. RMC collaborated with the NWCG Incident Position Standards Committee (IPSC) to propose and implement these updates. 

References:

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions 

NWCG Position Catalog