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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.

 

 

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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