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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

 

Personnel, Contractors

Single Engine Airtanker (SEAT)

Aircraft | Contracts | Facilities | Maintenance | Operations | Personnel Contractors | Personnel Government

SYSTEM:  SEAT, Personnel (Contractors)

Sub-System Hazards Pre-Mitigation Mitigation Post-Mitigation

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Probability

Severity

Risk Level
Human Factors Ground support personnel fatigue and workload

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 Ensure contractor compliance with rest and duty limitations (DOT and contract) for ground support personnel so as not to overextend (company and agencies are both responsible to monitor closely). Utilize additional crew members as necessary. Monitor number of aircraft being loaded and mitigate additional workload per loader.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Pilot fatigue

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 SEMGs work with vendor personnel to ensure adequate rest between shifts. Manage missions to be most effective for incident, with proper use of aircraft. Consider phase duty limitations as appropriate.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium
Pilot - poor decision making: multi-tasking, mission focus, sense of urgency, peer pressure

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 Ensure that these items are addressed in the contract pre-work meeting and re-enforced in the daily air base briefings, post mission briefings or whenever the need is identified. All personnel involved in operations should recognize hazardous situations or behavior. Communicate issues or concerns.  Recognize fatigue, hunger, illness or other issues that may be causing poor decision making and mitigate as needed.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Acceptance of high-risk missions and activities as normal

Likely

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Emphasize importance of situational awareness to recognizing risk. Consider providing risk management training for the pilot and crew. Re-address complacency and self-discipline in daily airbase briefings. Review risk management workbook and/or vendor SMS manual on a regular basis.

Possible

Critical

High
Poor CRM with crew rotations; crew rotation may affect aircraft/equipment knowledge in-brief

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 Make effort to ensure that contractor relief personnel arrive at base prior to relief cycle with sufficient overlap time to receive good in-brief from primary personnel.

Possible

Critical

High
Single pilot workload may be considered to be excessive based on demands that he/she be able to operate several cockpit equipment items during mission performance (i.e., multi-tasking overload.)

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 Complete thorough pre-flight planning. Minimize radio traffic. Follow sterile cockpit rules. Utilize aerial supervision if available to reduce cockpit workload. Utilize AFF. Allow time to program frequencies prior to launch. Conduct AARs, sand table and on ground CRM Exercises, incorporating operations personnel.

Possible

Critical

High
Conflicting and/or difficult personalities

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 If individuals cannot professionally resolve differences, managers and supervisors must take immediate action. Brief/debrief, employ CRM, provide and receive honest and objective feedback, maintain positive attitude. Maintain professionalism and mission focus at all times.

Possible

Critical

High
Pilot Training and Experience Lack of fire mission training and lack of proficiency flight time

Likely

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Vendors have instituted training programs such as CRM, risk management, and flight safety with the intent to standardize cockpit procedures. Develop training center for fire environment and make available for vendor use. Other training includes aircraft performance and limitations. Provide opportunities for new and experienced pilots to attend NAFA training.

Possible

Catastrophic

High
High number of target fixation and tactical maneuvering errors

Likely

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Company training plans should address human factors including target fixation, situational awareness, task overload, and performance/tactical planning errors. Plan training simulations prior to and throughout fire season.

Possible

Critical

High
Lack of training in firefighting strategy, tactics, terminology, basic ICS, frequency management, etc.

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 Establish training courses for pilots to meet basic level of firefighting knowledge for all contracts.  Encourage contractors to take online basic wildland firefighting courses. Provide opportunities for attendance at NAFA. When available have a Level I pilot mentor a level II pilot.

Possible

Critical

High
Inadequate flight experience

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Adhere to existing contract requirements requiring contractors to validate pilots' experience and training. SEMG must be familiar with the level of the pilot and their restrictions. Continue to provide opportunities for SEAT pilots to attend NAFA and other fire-specific aviation training. Develop, implement, and support a pilot mentoring program.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Ground Support Training Not all mixers, loaders and fuelers are adequately trained and qualified

Possible

Critical

High

 Ensure that contractors provide adequate training to ground personnel on mixing of fire chemicals and fueling of aircraft prior to fire assignment. Provide training documentation to agency aviation managers during pre-work meetings.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
New Technology Lack of familiarity with technology, inability to utilize and operate equipment

Possible

Critical

High

 Ensure all vendor personnel are trained in the function and operation of newer technology, equipment, and systems prior to implementation and utilization.

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:

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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