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Wing Walking

 

Wing walking can be crucial to airtanker base safety when the Fixed Wing Parking Tender (FWPT) cannot see or judge the distances between the aircraft being parked and any obstacle nearby. Wing walkers add assurance to pilots as they taxi into parking areas, ensuring proper wing clearance to advance.

Discuss the following items before deploying personnel in this function.

  • Is there enough safety equipment available for each wing walker employed during an operation?
    • Proper colored vests.
    • Marshalling wands – lighted wands or light sticks for low-light operations.
    • Radios and headsets.
  • What is the best position for the wing walker, as the aircraft moves, to view possible points of impact?
  • Do all personnel understand distance requirements for aircraft wing placement from any object?
    Discuss the 30 feet and 10 feet restrictions.
    • Utilize wing walkers anytime any part of the aircraft is within 30 feet of an object over 3 feet in height.
    • Aircraft will not be taxied where any part of the aircraft comes within 10 feet of an object over 3 feet in height. Ensure ample vertical clearance of wing and obstacles is observed.
  • FWPTs and wing walkers must stay in constant communications by radio or hand signal.
  • Wing walkers must assess the speed of incoming aircraft and request the FWPT to slow them down if they will not have time to judge a distance before possible impact.
  • What items should be discussed in a pre-wing walking briefing?
  • Have all potential wing walkers completed the IAT Fixed Wing Parking Tender training?
  • Who at your base is authorized to be a wing walker?

 

Category
Airtankers
References
NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2025 Week of Remembrance

Date: June 27, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
6 Minutes for Safety Subcommittee

As we approach the 2025 Week of Remembrance (WOR), June 30–July 6, we dedicate this time to reflect on the past incidents from 2015 and honor the fallen through learning. Since its inception in 2014, WOR has honored wildland firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while encouraging critical discussions that reinforce lessons learned.

Throughout the week, we encourage thoughtful and generative conversations—whether in briefing rooms or at tailgates—that promote a culture of continuous learning and safety.

References:

2025 Week of Remembrance: Letter to Leadership

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003 Flame-Resistant Shirt Survey

Date: June 12, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

The U.S. Forest Service National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) is seeking input on the Forest Service-designed flame-resistant (FR) shirt, currently available through the National Interagency Support Cache system and FedMall.

NTDP is conducting a product review to improve future FR shirt designs. As part of this effort, a short survey is now open for federal employees who have worn any of three recent FR shirt models. Feedback will guide design improvements to better meet the needs of wildland firefighters.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act, responses are limited to federal employees. The survey is open through September 12, 2025. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003

NEW! S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended) Now Available

Date: June 10, 2025
If you have questions, please visit our FAQ page. 
If your question is not answered there, you can 
submit your question using our Contact Us form. 
 

The S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended), equips new wildland firefighters with essential skills through a mix of online learning and hands-on training. The course features a required online component and an instructor-led exercise, reinforcing online concepts with practical performance-based training.

The course builds competencies in wildland fire operations, safety, and equipment use, applicable across various operational environments. Both the online component and instructor-led field exercise must be completed to receive a certificate of completion. Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended).

References:

S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

Date: June 3, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The Emergency Medical Committee has issued interim guidance for Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) teams. Until further notice, Type I and II REMS teams must designate a team leader qualified at Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1) or higher. This temporary change replaces the Single Resource Boss (SRB) requirement, which is currently not feasible due to administrative barriers.

This memorandum does not include any other changes to the NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552. This interim change takes effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

References:

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552