Helicopter Landing Area Safety

The following points should be considered when operating around an unimproved landing site:
- Always wear your personal protective equipment (PPE) when working near an operating helicopter (eye, hearing, head, etc.).
- Always get the approval of a flight crew member or the pilot before approaching an operating helicopter.
- Only approach and depart a helicopter as directed. Use a slightly crouched position. Do not run. Always keep in the pilot’s field of vision.
- Never go near the tail of helicopters.
- When loading helicopters in uneven terrain, always approach and depart from the down slope (lower) side and do not hold equipment overhead.
- Remove or secure loose articles prior to working around an operating helicopter.
- Do not reach up for or chase after loose objects.
- Blowing dust, sand, or rocks caused by the helicopter’s rotor wash can be hazardous. Institute dust abatement actions at the landing area if necessary.
- 10 & 18 Poster, PMS 110-18
- 10 Standard Firefighting Orders, PMS 110
- 18 Watch Out Situations, PMS 118
- Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book)
- NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461
- NWCG Standards for Helicopter Operations, PMS 510
- RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR)
- Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center
Have an idea or feedback?
Share it with the NWCG 6MFS Subcommittee.