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S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (ILT)

Course Title
Helicopter Crewmember (ILT)
Version Date

2010

Previous Certification Dates

2004-11
1993-11

Course Number
S-271
Course Description

This is a combined classroom/field course designed to provide student proficiency in all areas of the tactical and logistical use of helicopters to achieve efficiency and standardization. Topics include aviation safety, aircraft capabilities and limitations, aviation life support equipment, aviation mishap reporting, pre-flight checklist and briefing/debriefing, aviation transportation of hazardous materials, crash survival, helicopter operations, helicopter field exercise. Refer to the Interagency Aviation Training (IAT) Guide for IAT A-course equivalencies: https://www.iat.gov/.

Course Objective

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to demonstrate proficiency in all identified areas of helicopter use to safely achieve efficiency and standardization.

Prerequisite Qualifications Notes

FFT2 Firefighter Type 2

Lead Instructor Minimum Qualifications
The lead instructor must be a qualified Helicopter Manager, Single Resource (HMGB).
Format
Instructor Led
Special Delivery Considerations

These materials are needed above and beyond the usual items (pens, paper, flip charts, markers, etc.).
Sample agenda
Quizzes, handouts
NWCG Passenger/ Crew Cargo and Manifest, PMS 245
NWCG Standards for Helicopter Operations, PMS 510
NWCG Standards for Aviation Transport of Hazardous Materials, PMS 513
Interagency Load Calculations
Aviation Life Support Equipment (ALSE) Handbook
FSH 5709.16 Chapter 30 section 33- Flight Plans and Flight Following (2017)
DOI Departmental Manual 351DM1- Flight Operations Standards and Procedures

2010 Version
Completion of S-271 does not meet the recommended equivalencies for and will not provide credit for the IAT course A-110 Aviation Transport of Hazardous Materials. To receive credit students must take A-110 through the IAT program.

The course materials and sample agenda incorrectly note the time allotted for the course presentation at 40 hours. The actual hours for course presentation are 24 – 26 hours allowing adequate breaks for the students. Use the updated course agenda which reflects the actual course presentation time.

Information found in Unit 7B of the Instructor Guide (p 7B.7, 7B.9) and PowerPoint slides (7B-21, 7B-28) should be updated prior to instructing. The Interagency Safety Alert 13-1, Helicopter Operations – Brace for Impact, should be used as a supplement to provide the updates.

The Basic Aviation Safety Guide listed in Appendix A Course Ordering Information and Support Information is not available for order. The most recent version of the publication, which is now called the Basic Aviation Safety Booklet can be downloaded directly from the IAT website.

Business Steward
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee IHOPS
Unit Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Unit instructors must be qualified as Helicopter Crewmember (HECM).
Alternate Delivery Mode
Not Applicable
Class Size Recommendations

Recommended class size is maximum 30 students. Instructors should maintain a 5:1 ratio of students to instructors/coaches to facilitate exercises and discussion and to enable strong mentorship to the students.

Class Size Recommendations

Recommended class size is maximum 30 students. Instructors should maintain a 5:1 ratio of students to instructors/coaches to facilitate exercises and discussion and to enable strong mentorship to the students.

NWCG Latest Announcements

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

Date:  May 28, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has issued Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters. Research from 2016 to 2025 shows that 88 cases of rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) were reported. Analysis of reports from eSafety, the Safety Management Information System (SMIS), and the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center (LLC) indicates that rhabdo is common during this time of year due to Work Capacity Tests and contributing factors such as weather, hydration, nutrition, and medication or supplement use.

RMC issued this safety bulletin to raise awareness in the Wildland Fire Community, and to provide research findings and educational resources that support reducing future cases of rhabdo.

References:

NWCG Alerts

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

NEW! D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder Course Available Now

Date:  May 15, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Dispatch Position and Curriculum Management Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder (Instructor-led) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Developed through the National Coordination System Committee, this course introduces the structure and function of expanded dispatch, the qualities of an effective dispatcher, and provides hands-on experience with the Interagency Resource Ordering Capability (IROC) system. 

The D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder course aligns with the competencies and duties outlined in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Expanded Dispatch Recorder, PMS 350-59, and is designed for individuals with no prior experience who may be called upon to support dispatch operations.

References:

D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder (Instructor-Led)

Expanded Dispatch Recorder (EDRC), Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Expanded Dispatch Recorder, PMS 350-59

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Leadership Committee IAP Flyer Now Available

Date:  May 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee promotes and enables leadership development across the wildland fire service. The committee provides education, training opportunities, and support for leadership innovation and best practices throughout the community.

A new IAP flyer is now available on the committee website, offering an overview of the products, curriculum, and learning opportunities the Leadership Committee develops. This resource is ideal for posting in your office, sharing with new employees, or distributing through your incident management teams to engage new voices in the leadership journey and reinforce a culture of self‑reflection, development, and growth.

References:

Leadership Committee 2026 IAP Flyer

Incident Operations Subcommittee Updates the Next Generation Position Task Book for FFT1

Date:  May 7, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

The NWCG Incident Operations Subcommittee (IOSC) has updated the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1), PMS 311‑14. The FFT1 Position Task Book transitioned to the Next Generation (Next Gen PTB) format in June 2025 through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. Since then, IOSC has received feedback from the wildland fire community regarding coding for one of the tasks. Task #13 has been updated to include the option of evaluation in a simulation.

See IOSC Memorandum 26‑01: Transition Plan for Implementation of Updates to the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1), PMS 311‑14 for more information.

References:

IOSC Memorandum 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementation of Updates to the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss Position Page