Operations

Single Engine Airtanker (SEAT)

[view:pms_530_1_navigation=fw_seat]

SYSTEM: SEAT, Operations

Sub-System	Hazards	Pre-Mitigation			Mitigation	Post-Mitigation
Sub-System	Hazards	Probability	Severity	Risk Level	Mitigation	Probability	Severity	Risk Level
Missions	Inefficient use of SEATs may result in unnecessary risk exposure to SEAT pilot and ground personnel. (risk vs. gain)	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	SEAT pilot, fire managers, dispatchers, line personnel, and aerial supervisors need proper education/training on use of SEATs. Use AAR as mitigation tool to prevent re-occurrence. Conduct pre- and post-mission briefings. Review How to Refuse Risk protocols.	Possible	Moderate	Medium
	Flying low level at operational weights and airspeeds in areas with hazards	Almost Certain	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Perform high-level reconnaissance prior to descending to work in the low-level environment. Utilize aerial supervision/leadplanes when available. Utilize proper aircraft energy management techniques. Receive thorough in-briefing on area hazards.	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
	Inexperienced personnel-government and contractors	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Agency and contractors need to evaluate required training to determine if personnel are staying current with program needs. Provide training at beginning of season and exercises/simulations throughout season. During operations ensure there are adequately trained and experienced personnel to mentor trainees.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	A sense of urgency may be placed on contractor personnel at various points in the mission	Possible	Critical	High	Address the safety vs. urgency issue as a special-emphasis item during in-briefing with contractor and agency employees. Reinforce this throughout the entire operational period. Utilize Go/No-Go checklists. Recognize pilot is final decision maker for whether flight occurs.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Drop height minimums	Almost Certain	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Maintain 60-ft. obstacle clearance as the minimum descent altitude for all fire operations except during takeoff and landing.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Poor fuel management	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Monitor fuel quantities. Monitor fuel flow vs time. Follow fuel transfer procedures. Allow enough time for pre-flight and flight planning. Know refueling locations. Query other pilots on fuel status and availability for planned route.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Single pilot cockpit workload	Possible	Catastrophic	High	Maintain sterile cockpit policy, minimize in-flight diversions and frequency changes. Utilize aerial supervision to decrease pilot workload.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Wake turbulence	Possible	Critical	High	Exercise caution when in congested airspace or trailing other aircraft. Allow enough space between larger airtankers in front of SEATs during operations, especially during drops.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Lack of standardized dispatch form	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Ensure that SEMGs verify all dispatch information. Refer to the SABO for required minimum dispatch information. Implement utilization of national standard aircraft dispatch form.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Ramp/taxi operations and communications	Almost Certain	Critical	High	Establish local ramp/taxi protocols in cooperation with local airport operations prior to utilization. Ensure adequate ingress and egress to the ramp. Ensure thorough in-briefing and monitor assigned ramp frequency. Utilize FWPT/RAMP when loading multiple aircraft.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Environment	Conflicting airspace environment	Possible	Critical	High	Local agency must provide orientation and situational awareness overview to SEAT pilots on Special Use Airspace, MTRs, TFRs etc. Utilize updated electronic equipment if possible [e.g., Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast in (ADS-B in)]. Assure that dispatch and aviation program personnel are trained in procedures for SUA and on local Airspace Boundary Plan. Use aerial supervision when available. Practice see and avoid.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Hazardous and extreme weather conditions	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Confirm updated weather information resources are available. Utilize updated electronic equipment if possible. Confirm that red-flag warnings are communicated. Ensure updates on changing weather conditions are shared between pilots, airbase mangers, dispatchers, etc. Delay flight or cancel if necessary. Go/No-Go is PIC decision. Ensure base operating plan identifies trigger points for extreme weather conditions.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Hazards and extreme terrain	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Get an adequate mission briefing and use performance planning to prevent CFIT events. Perform high level reconnaissance prior to descending to the low-level environment. Use aerial supervision when available. Utilize electronic map technology if possible.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Congested areas and urban interface	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Comply with congested area policies and ensure that aerial supervision is in place or has been requested.	Possible	Critical	High
Retardant Loading	Pilot fatigue during hot loading operations (less time out of cockpit)	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Ensure pilot has adequate hydration and food to sustain operations. Pilot should get out of aircraft during fueling operations (no hot fueling), at fuel cycle in between hot loading operations. Open window when loading for fresh air.	Possible	Critical	High
Retardant Loading	Overfilling and mixing errors	Possible	Critical	High	Utilize a mass flow meter when loading if possible. Vendor and agency personnel will review and follow mixing and loading procedures, including use of hand signals, listed in base operating plan. Pilot and base manager will be notified immediately if aircraft is overfilled.	Unlikely	Moderate	Medium
Communications	Lack of available frequencies	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Manage available frequencies as best as possible. Request additional frequencies as needed and release frequencies in a timely manner when no longer needed. Do not change frequencies in the middle of a shift without allowing adequate time for SEAT pilots to re-program radios. Train all users in radio discipline. Utilize AFF when possible.	Possible	Critical	High
Communications	Inadequate clarification of chain of command (who is in charge)	Possible	Critical	High	Validate tactical (A/G and A/A) contacts identified on the aircraft dispatch form. Ensure the pilot has a copy and validate frequencies during pre-mission planning.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Performance Planning	Lack of planning - incorrect calculation of allowable retardant load; weight and balance	Possible	Critical	High	Pilots need to ensure that proper weight and balance and performance planning is completed and shared with base personnel. Utilize appropriate aircraft performance charts for the area of operations. Base personnel should be aware of trigger points for downloading retardant, water, etc. PIC will inform ground personnel on need for downloads.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Performance Planning	Lack of information on incident conditions	Possible	Critical	High	Brief utilizing the IAP for the daily objectives/assignments, frequencies, assigned aircraft, predicted fire behavior and weather. Utilize national standard aircraft dispatch form. Obtain as much information as possible from dispatch, other aerial and ground resources. Obtain information from pilot after initial load on necessary mitigation. Use aerial supervision when available. PIC has final authority on Go/No-Go. Monitor AFF.	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).

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Last Modified / Reviewed: April 25, 2024

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Date: February 13, 2026
Questions?
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the Quarter Two materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available! This annual initiative invites all leadership and wildland fire management students to engage with essential skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

This quarter focuses on Leadership Level 2: New Leader (Conveying Intent). Conveying intent is a crucial leadership competency in the high-risk, dynamic environment of wildland firefighting. Months 4 - 6 will concentrate on how successfully conveying intent enhances situational awareness, promotes shared understanding, and empowers firefighters to exercise initiative and adapt to changing conditions.

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Opportunity to Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date: February 10, 2026
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NWCG is seeking experienced wildland firefighters and support personnel to serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) initiative. The intent of IPTM is to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model through updated position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and updates to training where needed.

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NEW! M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) Course Available Now

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Please contact: Resource Advisor Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) course is now available. This training supports individuals working towards Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) incident qualifications.

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) training prepares students to serve as a Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) as defined in NWCG Incident Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112. This course presents scenarios that reflect the diverse challenges a REAF may encounter during an incident. Through these scenarios, participants gain hands-on experience and an understanding of REAF responsibilities in a controlled learning environment.

References:

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NWCG Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led)

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Date: January 23, 2026
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The Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) and Incident Performance Training Modernization (IPTM) are also included.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

IPSC Memo 26-01: January 2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

Operations

Single Engine Airtanker (SEAT)

SYSTEM: SEAT, Operations

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PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

Operations

Single Engine Airtanker (SEAT)

SYSTEM: SEAT, Operations

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