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Interagency Airtanker Board

ARCHIVED

This committee has been archived July 1, 2026.  Please reach out to your NWCG Coordinator if any content needs to be moved to the new committee structure.


 

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IAB header graphic. photo of airtanker. Decorative.
Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Interagency Airtanker Board (IAB) evaluates airtankers against established performance criteria and recommends approval for use. The IAB promotes standardization and cooperation among NWCG member agencies and airtanker related industries in all aspects of aerial delivery systems utilization. Primary objectives include

Body

Primary Objectives

plane dropping retardant

  • Serve the NIAC as a body of aerial delivery systems subject matter experts.
  • Establish and implement an evaluation and testing process to determine acceptable aircraft, tank, and gate system performance.
  • Promote improvement in retardant delivery systems and airtanker safety.
  • Maintain a central source of information regarding evaluation, testing, selection, and use of retardant delivery systems for agencies and industry.
  • Review and evaluate proposals for new or modified aircraft.
  • Establish and implement performance evaluation standards for all approved airtankers to ensure their continued conformity to the standard criteria.

Guidance Documents

Chair: Noordermeer, Cory

NWCG Coordinator: Lee, Sarah

Parent Committee: National Interagency Aviation Committee

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

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

Quarter Four Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date:  July 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Development Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Fourth Quarter materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available. 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.

Quarter Four materials focus on Leadership Level 4: Leader of Leaders (Provide Direction). Leadership Level 4 is where you are setting the conditions for others to do things well, even when you are not present. This quarter focuses on equipping experienced leaders with skills to provide direction, build trust across teams, and foster strong decision making. 

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Development Subcommittee

2026 Week of Remembrance

Date:  June 30, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: 6 Minutes for Safety Subcommittee

As we approach the 2026 Week of Remembrance (WOR), June 30–July 6, we dedicate this time to reflect on past incidents from 2016 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 that promote a culture of continuous learning and safety.

References:

2026 Week of Remembrance: Letter to Leadership

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

RMC Memorandum 26-02: SAFENET Modernization and SafeNetX Launch

Date:  June 25, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) is pleased to announce the launch of SafeNetX, the modernized safety reporting system now available to the wildland fire community. Effective June 15, 2026, SafeNetX enables reporting of unsafe, unhealthy, near-miss, and high-risk operations across wildland fire, all-hazard incidents, training, and related work environments.

SafeNetX is the result of a multi-agency modernization effort led by RMC, which began evaluating improvements to the legacy SAFENET system in 2021. To learn more, read the full RMC memorandum in the links provided.

References:

SafeNetX

RMC Safety Memorandum 26-02: SAFENET Modernization and SafeNet X Launch