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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

Submit Revision / Recommendation

Fixed Wing Risk Assessments

Helicopter Risk Assessments

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Risk Assessments

Other Risk Assessments

 

Personnel, Government

Single Engine Airtanker (SEAT)

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

SYSTEM:  SEAT, Personnel (Government)

Sub-System Hazards Pre-Mitigation Mitigation Post-Mitigation

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Probability

Severity

Risk Level
Utilization Span of control exceeded

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 Ensure that base operations plans address contingency to handle events where span of control may be exceeded. Home units need to mitigate this issue by pre-training and recruitment of supplemental personnel. Order additional personnel as necessary. Comply with NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations' staffing minimums.

Possible

Critical

High
Management Ineffective use of SEATs on incidents

Likely

Moderate

Medium

 Ensure that base operations plans address contingency to handle events where span of control may be exceeded. Home units need to mitigate this issue by pre-training and recruitment of supplemental personnel. Order additional personnel as necessary. Comply with NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations' staffing minimums.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium
Training Lack of knowledge and experience in aviation contract administration and aviation program management for SEAT Manager trainees

Almost Certain

Moderate

Medium

 Recommend SEAT Managers attend aviation contract administration course.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium
Lack of available and trained agency SEMGs, ramp personnel

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 Fire management should provide opportunities for training/qualification of agency employees.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium
Human Factors Acceptance of high-risk missions as normal

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 Review risk assessment and existing policy/procedures. Brief/debrief with all personnel and utilize risk management tools to include Go/No-Go checklists. Educate personnel on the hazards of normalization of risk and complacency. Emphasize situational awareness with all personnel. Mission decisions are made at the appropriate level.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Changes in standard operating procedures not being accepted

Likely

Moderate

High

 Clarify and confirm program changes. Provide training. Notify appropriate personnel, in a timely manner. Accept questions and seek out responses.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium
Conflicting personalities resulting in hazardous attitudes

Possible

Critical

High

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

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Experience SEAT Manager - Agency vs AD

Almost Certain

Moderate

High

 Provide program oversight (Local, State or National) to ensure that SEMG meets currency experience requirements and have completed triennial refresher as per NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications. Provide FWPT/RAMP training. Encourage more Agency personnel train for SEMG qualification.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium
Aerial supervision - lack of SEAT-specific knowledge and experience

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 Provide thorough pre-mission briefings and conduct post-mission AARs, including SEAT pilots and ATGS. Include specific SEAT section for ATGS training.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Policy/ Procedure Policy deviation

Possible

Critical

High

 Re-enforce and emphasize to SEMGs to communicate with local UAO, SECOs, COs, SAMs, etc. when questions and/or issues arise.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium
Multiple agencies - differing standards (state vs federal)

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 Recommend continued development and implementation of interagency standardized SEAT program management and policy.

Possible

Critical

High

 

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

NEW! S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) Available Now

Date: Aug 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. S-290 (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components that support individuals working towards any Single Resource Boss or Fire Effects Monitor incident qualifications.

This second course in the series collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills, and provides more detailed information on fuels, weather, and topography that affect wildland fire behavior for safety purposes.

Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended).

References:

S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) Now Available

Date: Aug 14, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

The S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) is now available. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) incident qualifications. 

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components. This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of the HECM position, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22.

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:

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended)

NWCG Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for FBAN and LTAN

Date: Aug 13, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) and Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) 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 Fire Behavior Analyst Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst Page

ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 New Guidance on Laundering Wildland Fire Clothing to Reduce Contamination

Date: Aug 8, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
 Risk Management Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) and the Risk Management Committee (RMC) have issued Safety Bulletin 25-001: Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing. Recent research revealed that wildland fire flame-resistant pants and shirts can be contaminated with chemicals from combustion byproducts, including carcinogens, and that common laundering practices can effectively remove these harmful contaminants from wildland firefighter clothing more effectively than previously understood. It is recommended to decontaminate wildland fire clothing as frequently as possible. 

Frequently Asked Questions about this new information and how to implement recommendations can be found on the NWCG Alerts page. Read the complete ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Safety Bulletin: 25-001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing

Equipment Technology Committee

Risk Management Committee