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Helicopter Coordinator Working Group (HLCOWG)

HLCO Working Group header graphic. Photo of a water scooper plane dropping load on forest below. Decorative.

Mission Statement

The Helicopter Coordinator Working Group (HLCOWG) provides national interagency governance in the development and maintenance of the Helicopter Coordinator (HLCO) training curriculum, course delivery, position performance standards, and program reviews.

Primary Objectives:

  • Assist the Air Tactical Group Supervisor Working Group (ATGSWG) when asked in the coordination and delivery of S-378, Aerial Supervision and N-9059, Leadplane Pilot when requested through the National Aerial Supervision Standardization Unit (NASSU).
  • Assist the ATGSWG with coordination and delivery of RT-378 and RT-9059 as requested through the NASSU.
  • Provide oversight of S-378 and HLCO curriculum for updates and accuracy.
  • Coordinate standardization with National Aerial Supervision Academy (NASA) and California Aerial Supervision Academy (CASA).
  • Manage taskings from the NASSU.
  • Recommend changes to the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505, through the NASSU.
  • Recommend changes to the NWCG Task Book for the Positions of Helicopter Coordinator (HLCO) and Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS), PMS 311-18.
  • Assist peer aerial supervision working groups with subject matter expertise pertaining to the broad scope of interagency aerial supervision operations as requested.

Membership

MemberRoleOrganizationEmail
Luke AbellChair/SecretaryForest Serviceluke.abell@usda.gov
Matt MullerVice-ChairForest Servicematthew.p.muller@usda.gov
Paul KarpusCalFire RepNational Association of State ForestersPaul.Karpus@fire.ca.gov
Dave SchultzNWCG CoordinatorBureau of Land Managementdschultz@blm.gov
USWDS Paragraphs

No additional resources at this time.

NWCG Latest Announcements

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)

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions

Date: April 9, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
RMC Member Eric Fransted

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) serves as the position steward for all Safety Officer incident positions and continues to improve position standards, training, and naming conventions. The implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) required changes to position titles. RMC collaborated with the NWCG Incident Position Standards Committee (IPSC) to propose and implement these updates. 

References:

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions 

NWCG Position Catalog

Updated, NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination, PMS 412

Date: April 8, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee

PMS 412 provides guidance for wildland fire investigations. This guide outlines recommended procedures, practices, techniques, and methods to promote a systematic approach. The last update to this publication was in 2016.

References:

NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination PMS 412