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Aviation Communication

Aviation operations are complex and communicating with air resources is vital for wildland firefighters’ safety. Below are considerations to discuss as a group and share what has worked well for communicating with different aviation resources.

Radio Frequency Management:

  • Aircraft prioritize radio communication to maintain safe flights, provide appropriate airspace with other aircraft, and conduct incident operations. Aircraft will talk to other aircraft/air traffic controllers first, followed by ground resources, and then dispatch.
  • Establish a primary air-to-ground frequency on the fire and ensure fire personnel are monitoring the channel.
  • If the frequency gets congested, request another frequency, (e.g. “air-to-ground secondary”).
  • Ensure that fire personnel have a clear delineation of what operations will occur on which air-to-ground frequency.
  • Air Guard can be used to communicate emergency traffic. All aircraft are monitoring this frequency. Ground personnel should also monitor Air Guard for aircraft emergencies.

Aviation Communication Best Practices:

  • The ABCs of communicating with aviation resources are to be “Accurate, Brief, and Clear.”
  • Communication to aircraft should occur when they are a few miles out. Provide them with what you want them to accomplish, your location, and any aerial hazards such as powerlines, wind, other aircraft, etc.
  • It is also best to communicate with the aircraft when they are off the dip site, following a water or retardant drop, or when they are performing a recon. Do not communicate during critical phases of flight (e.g. using the dip site, executing a drop, or when they are taking off or landing).
  • When communicating directions, always give them from the pilot’s perspective.
    • Use easily understandable directions, such as: north, east, 2 o’clock low, 9 o’clock mid-slope, etc.
    • Use standard fire characteristics and common vernacular to describe the target to the pilot such as: “we would like the bucket drop on the large snag at the heel of the fire.”
    • Before a water or retardant drop occurs, ensure all ground personnel are cleared from the line and communicate that to the pilot.
  • If using latitude and longitude coordinates, use WGS 84 datum and provide the coordinates in degrees, decimal minutes (DDM).

Discussion Questions:

  • Who is responsible for communicating with ground resources to notify them of the incoming aircraft and intended mission?
  • Discuss any past experiences where there was miscommunication with aviation. What did it impact? How could that miscommunication have been improved? 

References:

Category
Aviation

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NWCG Latest Announcements

LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species – Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

Date:  July 30, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics and Equipment Management Committee (LMC) issued Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels, reminding the wildland fire community that aquatic mussels continue to be a problem. Mussels rapidly colonize hard and soft surfaces, including aquatic plants and fire equipment, clogging pipes, fouling motors, disrupting water systems, and impacting native species.

To help prevent their spread, fire personnel must follow the decontamination procedures outlined in the NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444. Additionally, report any sightings immediately to your Lead Resource Advisor and include clear, close-up photos (with a pen or your hand for size reference) and location details.”

Read the complete LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001, to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Task Book Update

Date:  July 24, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG Operations Management Committee (OMC) has issued an update to the NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91. To ensure clarity for both trainees and evaluators, the updated FAL2 Position Task Book (PTB) explicitly states who is authorized to sign off on your tasks:

“Evaluators must be qualified as a FAL2, or an Advanced Faller (FAL1).”

If you are currently working out of a previously published version of the FAL2 PTB, you do not need to restart. However, OMC highly encourages you to take the following step to prevent any confusion in the field:

  • Print and replace the updated evaluator information page (page 2) in your current physical PTB.

References:

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Date:  July 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics/Equipment Management Committee (LMC) has released Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups. This advisory highlights multiple U.S. Forest Service regions reporting front driveline joint failure incidents.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to: 

  • Follow all Ram-issued inspection, maintenance, and service guidance for front driveline joints. 
  • Consider installing a driveline loop. 
  • Coordinate with fleet managers and service providers to determine the most appropriate driveline loop kit for each pickup.

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory.

References:

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Technical Service Bulletin: 03-002-21

NEW! NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900

Date:  July 9, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG Staff

NWCG is excited to announce the publication of the NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900.

The new publication establishes general, consistent, and uniform standards for conducting business with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.

References:

NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900