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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

 

Aircraft

Rappel Risk Assessments

Aircraft | Equipment | Operations

SYSTEM:  Rappel, Aircraft

Sub-System Hazards Pre-Mitigation Mitigation Post-Mitigation

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Probability

Severity

Risk Level
Adequate Screening/ Evaluation Lack of Standardization

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 Develop National Rappel Standards/Evaluation Board. 

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
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).

 

 

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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

Week of Remembrance

National Wildland Firefighter Day