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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

 

Facilities

Airtanker Base Risk Assessments

Facilities | Hot Loading | Operations | Simultaneous Fueling and Loading

SYSTEM:  Airtanker Base, Facilities

Sub-System Hazards Pre-Mitigation Mitigation Post-Mitigation

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Probability

Severity

Risk Level
Communications Lack of adequate radio equipment, computers and IT support

Possible

Critical

High

 Provide airtanker bases with adequate phone lines, fax lines, internet and Wi-Fi. Recognize that many bases are in rural areas and may not have locally provided communication infrastructure. Utilize cell phones and Wi-Fi-enabled devices for gathering of flight planning information. Ensure all FWPTs have radios and headsets (noise canceling if able) available to them.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Unreliable flight following frequencies

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

Utilize National Flight Following if available. Local units should develop a local flight following frequency for their area of operations in the event the national frequency is not available.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Lack of standardized aircraft dispatch form

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 Implement utilization of national standardized aircraft dispatch form at all dispatch centers and airbases. Refer to the SABO for the minimum dispatch information.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium
Design Standards Inadequate ramp space

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 Move to a different location on the airport or utilize a different airtanker base. Do not utilize a base that does not offer the minimum ramp space needed for the operating aircraft. Refer to the SABO.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Congestion on ramp

Likely

Critical

High

 Verify that ramp area is large enough for expected operations (type/number of equipment and aircraft). Ensure communication is provided between FWPTs, RAMP, and ATIM in coordination with the ATBM, to allow for better decision making and ramp congestion mitigation. Utilize wing walkers as necessary. Ensure all are familiar with FWPT hand signals and have radio communication. Ensure adequate spacing between different sizes/types of aircraft. If able utilize additional space on the airport to expand operations. Consider sending some aircraft to adjacent airtanker bases to alleviate congestion.

Possible

Moderate

Medium
Inadequate runway minimums

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 Ensure that length, width and surface conditions of runways and taxiways are adequate for expected aircraft.  Adequate time should be given for flight planning for expected operations/airports. Pilots have the ultimate authority to utilize or decline a specific airport for safety of flight operations.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Collision with other aircraft/vehicles

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Utilize RAMP and FWPTs/wing walkers at all times when aircraft are moving on ramp. Ensure communication between pits. Aircraft have right-of-way over vehicles. Fuel/service vehicles should have a person nearby to prevent collision with aircraft. Be aware of any construction activity on the airport and plan for aircraft movement away from construction vehicles and workers.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Ramp/taxi operations and communications

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 Establish local ramp/taxi protocols in cooperation with local airport operations. Ensure thorough in-briefing and monitor assigned ramp frequency.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Security General threat of theft or vandalism of aircraft

Possible

Critical

High

 Ensure ramp area is secured from general public, with controlled access points. Comply with contract requirements for securing aircraft. Address any security issues during in-briefing. Consider bringing in security personnel after hours if needed. Provide adequate revenue time for pre- and post-flight inspections.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium
Motor vehicle traffic interfering with base/ramp areas

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 Limit the access of the ramp/base areas to designated routes only. Aircraft has right-of-way over vehicles on ramp. Establish parking areas for vehicles. Identify any critical areas where vehicles will need an escort.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Public access to ramp/base areas

Possible

Critical

High

 Limit access to authorized personnel only. Flag off areas if necessary. Establish a staging area for public viewing of operations, outside of the operations area. Address potential VIP visits in ABOP; consider providing separate area away from active operations.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

 

Download the word version (docm) of this information to use with the Risk Assessment Worksheet macro.

 

 

Modified / Reviewed:

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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