Aircraft

Single Engine Airtanker (SEAT)

SYSTEM: SEAT, Aircraft

Sub-System	Hazards	Pre-Mitigation			Mitigation	Post-Mitigation
Sub-System	Hazards	Probability	Severity	Risk Level	Mitigation	Probability	Severity	Risk Level
Capabilities	High density altitude affects the aircraft performance	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Assign appropriate SEAT aircraft for mission and typical DA. Conduct pre-mission performance planning. Reinforce high/hot/heavy training. Complete load calculation before flight.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Capabilities	Inappropriate aircraft for mission	Possible	Critical	High	Ensure SEAT is appropriate for temperatures, altitude, terrain, fuel type and mission. Receive feedback from pilots and aerial supervisor. If not effective, order different/additional aircraft.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Maintenance	Mechanical failure	Possible	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Pilot and SEMG monitor maintenance schedule. Vendor follows maintenance/overhaul schedule. Pilot reviews and understands emergency procedures.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Maintenance	Aircraft improperly maintained	Possible	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Follow contract/FAA requirements and aircraft maintenance manual. Aircraft inspectors check that FAA maintenance requirements are met. Pilot performs/ensures that daily pre- and post-flight inspections are complete and that all life and time limit maintenance items are completed per maintenance manual.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Collision Avoidance	Visibility	Almost Certain	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Keep windscreen clean. Aircraft will have high-visibility paint scheme. Pilot and ground resources must maintain situational awareness. Only fly during VFR conditions.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Un-used or inoperable high-visibility aircraft lighting systems	Possible	Critical	High	Landing and strobe lights need to be maintained and utilized as required by contract and aerial supervision guide. If lighting is inoperable, aircraft will return to base until repaired.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Congested airspace, military airspace, uncontrolled airports	Almost Certain	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Aircraft will have operable collision avoidance system (TCAS), rate-of-climb indicator, gyro, and aeronautical charts for area of operations. Pilot will review known aerial hazards prior to flight. Practice see and avoid.	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
Aircraft Carding and Pilot Inspection Process	Lack of standardization	Possible	Moderate	Medium	Ensure implementation of standardized SEAT aircraft and pilot inspection process. Train inspectors on new standards. Ensure SEMGs are knowledgeable on pre-use inspection process.	Unlikely	Moderate	Medium
Equipment	Aviation maintenance inspectors unfamiliar with SEAT aircraft	Possible	Critical	High	Train and utilize more Interagency aviation maintenance inspectors (include all agencies) with past SEAT program experience and knowledge.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Locations of cockpit controls and switches not consistent/standardized	Possible	Moderate	Medium	Establish standard configuration in SEATs. Allow relief pilots time for orientation in each aircraft prior to mission operations.	Rare	Negligible	Low
	Inadequate pre-flight/post-flight inspections	Possible	Critical	High	Agency reps and vendor personnel should ensure adequate revenue time for pre- and post-flight inspections. Document pre- and post-flight inspections daily.	Unlikely	Moderate	Medium
Communications	Changing technology and lack of training	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	During the inspection and carding process ensure contractors (pilots) are skilled with equipment provided–GPS, VHF and UHF radios, AFF, etc.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Communication with non-federal fire departments - lack of radio equipment compatibility (narrow banding and frequencies)	Possible	Critical	High	Continue to work with state, city and county fire departments to meet future federal standards and compatibility issues. Work with national agency/interagency radio program leaders to ensure the policies they develop are compatible with aviation requirements.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Inadequate frequency management	Almost Certain	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Conduct effective air base in-briefings, including relief pilots. Ensure pilot has adequate time for orientation/programming before mission flights. Conduct frequent AARs and/or specialized training simulation exercises. Perform periodic reviews of frequency lists and avionics equipment operations. Check radio systems following days off. Ensure that positive communications are established.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	No communications between SEAT pilot and ground/air ops	Possible	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Follow appropriate checklists and procedures. Do not drop on fire line unless sure area is clear of ground personnel. If no contact can be established on incident return to base.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Radio frequency congestion	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Make alternative frequencies readily available and known. Order additional frequencies as needed. Utilize AFF when possible to reduce congestion. Maintain effective working relationships with frequency coordinators. During high-fire activity consider ordering standalone frequency coordinator.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Lack of flight following frequencies	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Request local flight following frequencies whenever possible. Utilize standardized AFF procedures. Utilize national flight following if necessary. Utilize Air Guard as a last resort for initial contact for flight following.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium

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

Last Modified / Reviewed: April 25, 2024

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Firing Boss, Single Resource

Date: April 30, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105, are now available.

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators.

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

References:

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105

NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Helicopter Crewmember

Date: April 28, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22, are now available.

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators.

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

References:

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22

Updated NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Date: April 23, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee

The NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 standardizes processes and procedures for the interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This updated publication provides the aviation community with standards to ensure UAS are used safely, effectively, and efficiently in support of fire management goals and objectives.

References:

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

NWCG National Interagency Aviation Committee

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

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

Aircraft

Single Engine Airtanker (SEAT)

SYSTEM: SEAT, Aircraft

NWCG Latest Announcements

References:

References:

References:

References:

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

Aircraft

Single Engine Airtanker (SEAT)

SYSTEM: SEAT, Aircraft

NWCG Latest Announcements

References:

References:

References:

References:

NWCG National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group