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Properly Refusing Risk – Turning Down an Aviation Assignment

Turn Downs

A turn down is a situation where an individual has determined he or she cannot safely complete an assignment as given and is unable to negotiate an alternative solution. Every individual has the right and obligation to report circumstances, conditions, or actions that could jeopardize firefighter or public safety. When an individual feels an assignment is unsafe, they also have the option to identify safe alternatives for completing that assignment. Turning down an assignment is one possible outcome of managing risk. 

There are many conditions in which an Airtanker Pilot or Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS) may turn down an assignment. A turn down must be based on a thoughtful and thorough risk assessment. 

Individuals may turn down an assignment when: 

  • There is a violation of established safe aviation practices.
    • e.g., aircraft mechanical malfunctions, mixed aircraft are over fire and aerial supervision requirements are not met, time of day in relation to pumpkin time, active military training airspace with no deconfliction
  • Environmental conditions make the work unsafe.
    • e.g., heavy winds, thunderstorms, untenable terrain, time of day, unsafe runway conditions, airport operations incidents
  • Personnel lack the necessary qualifications or experience.
    • e.g., An unaccompanied, non-IA carded pilot has been requested for an assignment.

Once a turn down occurs, the Airtanker Base Manager (ATBM) or Single Engine Airtanker Manager (SEMG) is responsible for:

  • Notifying the Air Operations Branch Director (AOBD) or unit aviation leadership immediately.
  • In the case that other resources are requested to perform the assignment, the ATBM or dispatch must inform any new resources that the assignment has been turned down, and the reason why.
  • The safety hazard should be documented by the submission of a SAFENET or SAFECOM.
  • Agency Reporting Systems must be used by all firefighters according to their agency specific accident and incident reporting direction. SAFENET augments these systems, it does not replace them.  

Discussion Questions:

  • When an Airtanker Pilot turns down an assignment, should other bases be notified?
  • If a pilot decides he or she wants to delay accepting the mission to monitor the weather for more favorable conditions, when should the turn down be documented?
  • If conditions do not feel safe on the ramp, can ramp personnel turn down an assignment?
  • In what instances may ramp personnel be involved with a pilot turning down an assignment?
     

References:

Category
Airtankers

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign: "Leadership Levels" Now Available

Date: October 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce the release of the Leadership Committee’s 2025–2026 Leadership Campaign, themed “Leadership Levels.” This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

The campaign is structured into four quarters and may be completed at any time between October 1, 2025 -December 31, 2026. Leadership levels will be released quarterly.

Quarter One materials are now available on the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program website and focus on Leadership Level 1, Follower (Self-Leadership).

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Updated! L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) Course

Date: October 3, 2024
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is pleased to announce the updated L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) course is now available. L-280 is intended for operational personnel at the Firefighter Type 1 level, and for individuals pursuing Leadership Level 2, New Leader. 

This instructor-led course is a primer on leadership and the second formal course in the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program. It helps emerging leaders build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to lead effectively in high-risk environments. 

For more information about leadership development and available courses, visit the Leadership Committee Web Portal.

References:

L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led)

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

Date: Sept 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use. This advisory recommends all pre-2006 fire shelters should be removed from service by January 1, 2026.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to:

  • Inspect fire shelters immediately
  • Replace and destroy any pre-2006 shelters (identified by white or pink insert label)
  • Order replacements as needed

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory. 

References:

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

NWCG Fire Inspection Flowchart, PMS 411-1

NWCG Alerts

NEW! S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) Now Available

Date: Sept 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee 

The S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB) incident qualifications.

This blended course combines online and instructor-led training to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the FIRB, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

S-219, Firing Operations (Blended)

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal