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RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR)

RT-130 Decorative banner. Group of photos depicting wildland firefighters performing various duties.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Capabilities and Limitations

Agency operated Unmanned Aircraft Systems are becoming more prevalent and more capable every year. This video is designed to provide all firefighters with a baseline understanding of UAS capabilities and limitations. Through that lens the video covers typing, communications, integration in the Fire Traffic Area, decision making when ordering, and updates in the Incident Response pocket guide.
Category: Aviation
Core Component(s):
Fire and Aviation Operational Safety, Human Factors, Communication and Decision Making
Estimated Delivery Time: 30 Minutes
Video Length: 9:24

Intent

Enhance firefighters’ abilities to effectively use Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) through increased knowledge of UAS operations and mission profiles.

Facilitator Preparation

Review the video and module tools. Consider additional activities and discussion questions pertinent to the geographic location and your respective agency.

Facilitating the Discussion

Show the video. Facilitate a small or large group discussion using the activity and discussion questions. Present the scenario below and guide students through the exercise.

Scenario

You are the Firing Boss for a prescribed burning operation on your home unit. It is late March. This burn unit is 700 acres. You have five Type 6 engine crews and a hotshot crew for this project. The area is prescribed burned every 4 years. This burn unit is in a hardwood forest. The fuel types are a compact leaf litter layer interspersed with a small amount of 10-hour fuels. 

 

Image
A forest filled with numerous trees the ground covered with rich brown leaves.
Image 1

The terrain is relatively flat with small rolling hills. One unit boundary is a dirt road, two boundaries can only be patrolled on foot and border private land, and one boundary is a steep cliff with a 70ft drop into a drainage. Structures at risk are a large wooden footbridge over a stream and a lean-to. What factors would you consider when making the determination whether to order a UAS crew for assistance? 

Conduct Activity (Optional)

  • Divide the class.
  • Give each group the Activity Questions below.
  • Discuss group responses.

Activity Questions

  1. What are the safety protocols firefighters should follow when UAS are operating in the airspace above you?
  2. What is the process for reporting aviation near misses during firefighting operations?
  3. Discuss past experiences where there has been a miscommunication with aviation. How could the miscommunication have been prevented?
  4. How do you get ahold of UAS crews on your radio?
  5. Can UAS be used to help mitigate hazards and if so which hazards?
  6. Can you think of any ways that UAS could save resources time and energy?

Resources 

Table of Abbreviations
ADS-B  Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast
AOBD    Air Operations Branch Director
ATGSAttack Group Supervisor
BVLOS    Beyond Visual Line of Site
EO/IR Electro-Optical/Infra-Red
FTAFire Traffic Area
TFRTemporary Flight Restrictions
UASUnmanned Aircraft Systems

Additional Video Information

The video is also available as a download (zip file, size 1.28 GB) with .srt file for closed captioning (you may need to right click and Save As). For information on how to add closed captioning to a video, see this how to page.

Note: For Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, right click the word download and select Save Link As; for IE, right click and select Save Target As.

Last Modified / Reviewed:

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NWCG Latest Announcements

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

Updated, NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination, PMS 412

Date: April 8, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee

PMS 412 provides guidance for wildland fire investigations. This guide outlines recommended procedures, practices, techniques, and methods to promote a systematic approach. The last update to this publication was in 2016.

References:

NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination PMS 412

Updated NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508

Date: March 31, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Airtanker Base Operations Unit

The updated NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations (SABO), PMS 508 standardizes operations and procedures at interagency airtanker bases to ensure safe, efficient, and effective operations in support of interagency goals and objectives.

References:

NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508