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PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

NWCG Standards for Aviation Risk Management, PMS 530

NWCG Aviation Risk Management Workbook, PMS 530-1

How to Use Workbook

IMPORTANT: How To Use Workbook

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Fixed Wing Risk Assessments

Helicopter Risk Assessments

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Risk Assessments

Other Risk Assessments

 

Operations

Large Airtanker (LAT) Risk Assessments

Aircraft | Contracts | Operations | Personnel

SYSTEM:  Large Airtanker, Operations

Sub-System Hazards Pre-Mitigation Mitigation Post-Mitigation

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Probability

Severity

Risk Level
Management Inefficient use of airtankers may result in unnecessary risk exposure to aircrew and ground personnel (risk vs. gain)

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 Pilots, fire management, dispatchers, aerial supervisors, and line personnel need proper training on effective use of aircraft. Conduct pre- and post-flight briefings; use AARs as mitigation to prevent accidents. Review incident objectives and adjust tactics as necessary. In extreme weather, set aircraft down until conditions improve.

Possible

Moderate

Medium
A sense of urgency may be placed on crew at various points during the mission

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 Address safety vs. urgency at crew in-briefing with contractor and agency employees. Review How to Refuse Risk with crew. Reinforce this throughout operational periods. Ensure adequate flight planning occurs prior to take off.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Environment CFIT due to low-level operations

Almost Certain

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Perform high-level recon prior to descending to drop height/low-level environment. Utilize aerial supervision and/or lead plane when available. Manage radio communication (sterile cockpit during drop). Reduce time in low-level environment. Ensure aircraft do not go below minimum drop height.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Mountainous terrain

Almost Certain

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Ensure pilots are trained, experienced, and carded/qualified for the mission. Flight crews obtain thorough briefings on local conditions before starting operations.

Possible

Critical

High
Weather: poor visibility, thunderstorms, hot/high DA, turbulence

Almost Certain

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Obtain most current/accurate weather forecast for airport and fire area. Conduct pre-mission risk assessment to determine mission hazards, restrictions, and mitigations. Delay mission until conditions improve. Follow policy on visibility, wind speed updating load calcs, etc. Establish trigger points to stop operations.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Airspace Flying in special use areas (MTRs, TFRs, restricted airspace)

Likely

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Ensure dispatchers have contacted the military for clearance into restricted areas and have completed airspace deconfliction. Transmit appropriate squawk codes. Practice see and avoid. Be aware of private aircraft in TFR area. Utilize aerial supervision when available. Refer to local base plan for specific SUA procedures.

Possible

Moderate

Medium
Congested areas and urban interface

Likely

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Comply with congested area policies in NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505, and ensure that aerial supervision is in place or has been ordered.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Retardant Loading Fatigue of aircrew during hot loading and simultaneous fueling and loading operations (less time out of the cockpit)

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 One crewmember should stand up or leave cockpit when possible. Rotate crewmembers when they need food/fuel/water.  Open door (on opposite side of running engines while hot loading) for fresh air. Consider alternating simultaneous fueling/loading operation with normal fueling/loading operation to provide a longer break outside of aircraft for all crewmembers.

Possible

Critical

High
Overfilling and mixing errors

Possible

Critical

High

 Ensure all airtankers are loaded using a mass flow meter. Vendor and government personnel review and follow mixing and loading procedures.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium

 

Download the Word version (docx) of this information and the Risk Assessment Matrix (pdf) to use with the Risk Assessment Worksheet (docx).

 

 

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Call for Nominations: Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Date: December 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
 Leadership Committee 

Do you know someone working in wildland fire who strives to make positive change and is undeterred by obstacles or setbacks? Now is your chance to give that person the acknowledgment they deserve by nominating them for a Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award.

This award, is presented by the NWCG Leadership Committee to remember Paul Gleason's contributions to the wildland fire community and to recognize individuals or groups that exhibit the same spirit and dedication to leadership – those who lead by example.

Nominations can be submitted via email with an attached Lead by Example Form to BLM_FA_Leadership_Feedback@blm.gov or through the online form. 

Tips for successful nominations and more information can be found on the Lead by Example webpage. All nominations must be submitted by December 31, 2025.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award 

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award Nomination Form 2025 

Leadership Committee 

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Date: December 9, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: NWCG Audiovisual Specialist

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Later this month, NWCG will release a compelling video that brings the Ransom Road Fire to life through firsthand accounts, official reports, and animated maps. Rob Lee, second on site during the deployment, shares his powerful recollections of that day. 

This video will be going live later this month in NWCG's RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) Catalogue.

References:

WFSTAR Catalogue 

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

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Date: October 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
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NWCG is excited to announce the release of the Leadership Committee’s 2025–2026 Leadership Campaign, themed “Leadership Levels.” 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.

The campaign is structured into four quarters and may be completed at any time between October 1, 2025 -December 31, 2026. Leadership levels will be released quarterly.

Quarter One materials are now available on the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program website and focus on Leadership Level 1, Follower (Self-Leadership).

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

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Date: October 3, 2024
Questions? Please contact:
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This instructor-led course is a primer on leadership and the second formal course in the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program. It helps emerging leaders build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to lead effectively in high-risk environments. 

For more information about leadership development and available courses, visit the Leadership Committee Web Portal.

References:

L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led)

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