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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

 

Equipment

Rappel Risk Assessments

Aircraft | Equipment | Operations

System:  Rappel, Equipment

Sub-System Hazards Pre-Mitigation Mitigation Post-Mitigation

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Probability

Severity

Risk Level
Common Factors Misuse/mistreatment

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Education, supervision for following equipment use standards. When in doubt about equipment's usage, retire it.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High
Use of non-standard equipment

Possible

Critical

High

 Maintain current equipment standards for rappel equipment, only utilize approved rappelling equipment, random peer inspections.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Improper inspections

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Education, supervision for following equipment inspection standards.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High
Improper rigging

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Proper training.  Standardization. Maintain currency, proficiency, checks and balances. Place photos of correct model specific rigging on national rappel website.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High
Inconsistent documentation

Possible

Critical

Extremely High

 Education, supervision for following equipment documentation standards, random inspections.  Utilize rap records database.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Not following established procedures/policy

Possible

Critical

High

 Peer monitoring, annual base reviews, accountability at all levels for compliance, follow-up of action items. Mandatory attendance of spotters to biennial rappel workshop or rappel academy.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Spotter Tether / Gunner Strap Improper adjustment

Possible

Critical

High

 Initial set-up of gunner straps and spotter tethers for specific model aircraft, pre-mission check. Post photos of correct adjustments on national rappel website.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Research and Development Improper use of newly approved equipment or during testing phase

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Education, training, documentation, thorough field testing in multiple platforms and obtain feedback from field users. If one component of the system gets changed, the entire system needs to be re-evaluated.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High
Cargo Delivery System No standard configuration

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 Identify and establish model specific configuration and procedures.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Use of unapproved containers

Possible

Moderate

Medium

 Supervisors, managers ensure only approved containers are properly utilized. All approved equipment is posted on the NTDP website.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium
Improper cargo restraint straps/cargo compartment netting (internal only)

Possible

Critical

High

 Establish minimum standard for cargo restraint straps and protective netting.

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