Aircraft

Rappel Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Rappel, Aircraft

Sub-System	Hazards	Pre-Mitigation			Mitigation	Post-Mitigation
Sub-System	Hazards	Probability	Severity	Risk Level	Mitigation	Probability	Severity	Risk Level
Adequate Screening/ Evaluation	Lack of Standardization	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Develop National Rappel Standards/Evaluation Board.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Adequate Screening/ Evaluation	Aircraft perform near limits of capabilities due to mission, payload, and environment	Possible	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Create national rappel specifications template for Schedule B. Utilize SMEs - Helicopter managers/HOSs/rappel specialists when developing aircraft contract specifications/ modifications.	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
Performance Capabilities and Limitations	Operating close to performance limitations of aircraft (weight/balance, DA, height/velocity curve, CG)	Almost Certain	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Strict compliance with flight manual and increased awareness training of aircraft performance for helicopter managers and proper mission planning. Continue using high performance Type 2 Helicopters and Part 27 Type 3 Helicopters.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Pilot visibility/vertical and horizontal reference	Possible	Critical	High	Develop National screening/evaluation process, identify minimum standards for visibility in rappel aircraft.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Pilot moving from right to left seat to fit mission in Bell medium helicopters	Possible	Critical	High	Ensure that Schedule B contract language is standardized Nationally for Type 2 Helicopters.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Equipment	Rappel anchor failure	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Ensure anchor is approved with proper and valid STCs, tested annually, installed correctly, and inspected at manufacturer's recommendations.	Rare	Catastrophic	Medium
	Spotter anchor failure	Possible	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Ensure anchor is approved with proper and valid STCs, tested annually, installed correctly, and inspected at manufacturer's recommendations.	Rare	Catastrophic	Medium
	Aircraft modifications improperly installed/false documentation	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Thorough maintenance inspections, verification of STC documentation and compliance, increased training for helicopter managers.	Rare	Catastrophic	Medium
	ICS communications not available to all rappelers	Possible	Critical	High	National rappel template for Schedule B.	Rare	Critical	Medium
Communication	Spotter cannot independently manipulate FM radios from back seat (pilot task saturation)	Possible	Critical	High	Audio panel conveniently available for pilot and spotter to individually manipulate.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Configuration	Doors off flight; crash survivability	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Minimize doors off operation to essential missions only. Create doors off checklist for NSHO.	Rare	Catastrophic	Medium
	Doors off flight; non secured items	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Training on proper storage of equipment when flying with doors off. Create doors off checklist for NSHO.	Rare	Catastrophic	Medium
	External basket security	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Assure security of external loads prior to mission.	Rare	Catastrophic	Medium
Maintenance	Lack of compliance with ADs, manufacture's inspections	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Strict compliance with flight manual, increased awareness training of maintenance requirements and ADs for helicopter managers, spot inspections of aircraft. Recommend all rappel contract helicopters require a mechanic.	Rare	Catastrophic	Medium
Aircraft Health	Undetected corrosion, stress crack, structural. Limited, and/or unknown amount of aircraft health testing and monitoring being performed on current aircraft (fatigue, corrosion, airframe, etc.)	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Ensure Maintenance Inspectors are conducting thorough reviews of aircraft maintenance logs.	Rare	Catastrophic	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: April 29, 2024

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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

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

Aircraft

Rappel Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Rappel, Aircraft

NWCG Latest Announcements

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References:

References:

References:

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

Aircraft

Rappel Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Rappel, Aircraft

NWCG Latest Announcements

References:

References:

References:

References:

NWCG National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group