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National Aerial Firefighting Academy Unit and Steering Committee

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NAFAU decorative banner. Students sitting at table on left, a pilot in cockpit in center, and a single engine airtanker dropping retardant on right.
Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The National Aerial Firefighting Academy consists of three courses: NAFA I, NAFA II, and NAFA III. The courses are conducted by agency and industry professionals directly involved in wildland fire operations for personnel specializing in aerial retardant and water delivery (i.e., Airtanker, Helicopter, Single Engine Airtanker, Scoopers, Lead Plane and Aerial Supervision Operators). The NAFA Steering Committee’s purpose is to promote, organize, and provide content/instruction for the courses.

The intent of the NAFA training courses is to provide participants with information needed to work together in a safe and effective manner in the congested airspace over a wildland fire incident. The primary objective is to provide training in basic wildland firefighting operations and tactical considerations. The courses provide a look into the “other pilot's” job giving an important perspective needed to achieve the same goal, which is to support the firefighters on the ground with aerial resources safely, effectively, and efficiently

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  • Enhance aviation safety of agency and contract personnel by providing training in basic wildland firefighting operations through integration of standardized interagency tactics and operational procedures. Information is presented, and a test of knowledge will be administered prior to granting a certificate of completion.
  • Provide national level intent and emphasis regarding aviation policy and procedures. NAFA itself does not create policy or procedures. Rather, it promotes the standards accepted and approved by agencies (i.e., US Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM)).
  • Provide instruction to meet the following objectives:
    • Understand operations and communications within the Fire Traffic Area to safely support the ground firefighters.
    • Increase aerial firefighting knowledge by integrating tactics, operations, and coordination of various resources to enhance their effectiveness and safety.
    • Have a basic understanding of ground and aerial wildland firefighting to include dispatching, fire terminology, airbase operations, human factors, fire behavior and the Incident Command System.
    • Improve knowledge of fire policies put forth by NWCG, drop patterns, coverage levels, strategies, techniques, and factors influencing aerial application on wildland fire.

Chair: Parker Lucas

NWCG Coordinator: Dave Schultz

Parent Committee: Interagency Airtanker and Scooper Operations Subcommittee

Meeting Schedule: TBD

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Helicopter Crewmember

Date: April 28, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22, are now available.

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators.

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

References:

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22

Updated NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Date: April 23, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee

The NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 standardizes processes and procedures for the interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This updated publication provides the aviation community with standards to ensure UAS are used safely, effectively, and efficiently in support of fire management goals and objectives.

References:

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

NWCG National Interagency Aviation Committee

ETC Bulletin 25-001: Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits - 2025 Field Season

Date: April 16, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

Due to spout failures and the associated risk of burn injuries, manufacturers have retrofitted the Hot/Cold Beverage Kits using a heat-shrinking band to secure the black spout at the insertion site. The updated kits feature a fluorescent label on each full kit assembly for easy identification. Catering units are encouraged to confirm the clear heat-shrinking bands are intact around each spout before filling.

ETC Bulletin 24-001 regarding Hot/Cold Beverage Kits has been archived and replaced by ETC Bulletin 25-001 for the 2025 season.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-25-001 Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits

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)