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PMS 515

PMS 515

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations

UAS Program Administration

UAS Typing and Call Signs

Operational Requirements

Mission Planning and Mobilization

Airspace Coordination

Mission Flight Procedures

Aircraft Coordination and Separation

UAS Aerial Ignition

Safety Considerations

UAS Incursions

Job Aids for UAS Operations

Website References

Airspace Coordination

Airspace standards are referenced in the NWCG Standards for Airspace Coordination, PMS 520.

Fire Traffic Area (FTA) Protocol

Firefighting aircraft follow a communications protocol known as the FTA, which is a 12-mile radius from the center point of an incident. UAS are typically launched and recovered from inside the FTA. UASPs must follow this protocol before the aircraft is launched.

  1. All wildland fire incidents, regardless of aircraft on scene, have an FTA. Reference the FTA diagram and find more information in NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505. The airspace surrounding an incident is managed by the aerial supervisor who must implement FTA procedures. If an incident has an active TFR in place, FTA rules apply to the TFR, and clearance from the controlling aircraft is required prior to TFR UAS operations. If aerial supervision is not on scene, the first aircraft on scene will establish the FTA protocol.
  2. The FTA is a communication protocol for firefighting agencies. It does not pertain to other aircraft who have legal access within a TFR (medevac, law enforcement, media, Visual Flight Rule [VFR] airport traffic, or Instrument Flight Rule [IFR] traffic cleared by the FAA).
  3. Key components and procedures of the FTA include:
    1. Initial Communication (ICOM) Ring: A ring 12 nautical miles (nm) from the center point of the incident. At or prior to 12nm, inbound aircraft contact the ATGS or appropriate aerial resource for permission to proceed to the incident. Briefing information is provided to the inbound aircraft by the aerial supervision resources over the incident (ATGS, ASM, and HLCO).
    2. No Communication (NOCOM) Ring: A ring 7nm from the center point of the incident that should not be crossed by inbound aircraft without first establishing communications with the appropriate aerial supervision resource.
    3. Three Cs of initial contact: Communication requirements and related actions to be undertaken by the pilot of the inbound aircraft:
      1. Communication: Establish communications with the controlling aerial supervision resource over the incident (ATGS, ASM, HLCO).
      2. Clearance: Receive clearance from aerial supervision prior to proceeding with UAS operations. The inbound pilot will acknowledge receipt of clearance or hold outside the NOCOM ring or on the ground, until the clearance is received and understood.
      3. Comply: UAS aircraft will comply with clearance from aerial supervision resource. If compliance cannot be accomplished, the UAS will remain on the ground until an amended clearance is received and understood.
  4. UAS departing incident airspace must follow assigned departure route and altitude. Aerial supervisors must establish/deconflict routes for departing aircraft through or away from other incident aircraft operations.
  5. UAS flights by accredited news representatives within a TFR shall adhere to current FAA policy.

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for UASD, UASM, UASL and UASP

Date: July 31, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for all four Unmanned Aircraft Systems positions:

  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist (UASD)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager (UASM)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader (UASL)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot (UASP)

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot Position Page

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for RADO and INCM

Date: July 30, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Incident Logistics Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Radio Operator (RADO) and Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Radio Operator Position Page

NWCG Incident Communications Center Manager Position Page

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004 NEW Aquatic Invasive Species – Golden Mussels

Date: July 29, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) issued Equipment Bulletin: 25-004, notifying the wildland fire community about a newly discovered invasive species and actions to take if found. Golden mussels, a highly invasive species recently identified in California, pose a significant risk to native ecosystems, infrastructure, and fire equipment. These mussels rapidly colonize hard and soft surfaces, including aquatic plants and fire equipment, clogging pipes, fouling motors, disrupting water systems, and impacting native species.

To help prevent their spread, fire personnel must follow the decontamination procedures outlined in the NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444. Additionally, report any sightings immediately to your Lead Resource Advisor and include clear, close-up photos and location details.

Read the complete ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004 to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004

NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for ICT5 and FFT1

Date: July 29, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Incident Command Subcommittee
Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) and Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Incident Commander Type 5 Position Page

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss Position Page