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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

Helicopter Operations Risk Assessments

Aircraft | Facilities | Operations | Personnel Contractors | Personnel Government | Technology

SYSTEM:  Helicopter Operations, Operations

Sub-System Hazards Pre-Mitigation Mitigation Post-Mitigation

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Probability

Severity

Risk Level
Missions Multitasking-Pilot, Helicopter Manager, Helibase Manager, Helitack Crew personnel, fueler

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 Ensure existing staffing, supervision and management policies and procedures are met.  Order resources early when the need is anticipated.  Dispatchers need to recognize aviation staffing is a critical safety priority.  Limit collateral duties in key supervisory positions. If unable to fill key positions, operations will be shut down or use of aircraft will be limited until span of control issues are resolved.

Possible

Critical

High
Complexity beyond capabilities/experience of available resources

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 Disengage, reassess, and realign objectives until appropriate level of supervision is present. Conduct risk analysis. Ensure situation is recognized and ensure appropriate supervision/resources are ordered.  Provide OJT and conduct frequent simulations of highly complex situations.

Possible

Critical

High
Poor Aviation Strategy (poor risk vs. reward; heli-mopping overuse; alternatives)

Almost Certain

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Utilize safe and effective strategy and tactics.  Involve pilot in mission planning.  Conduct thorough risk assessment prior to mission.  Brief/debrief.  Seek appropriate level of approval for high-risk missions, i.e.  Helicopter Manager, IC, District Manager, Forest Supervisor, etc.  Involve Aviation overhead with operational planning of strategies and tactics for the Appropriate Management Response. Avoid risk/exposure transference.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High
Jurisdiction/Borders – Mid-Air collision avoidance

Almost Certain

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Boundary Airspace Plan developed/utilized.  Follow FTA procedures.  Utilize airspace coordinator.  COMMUNICATE.  Establish TFRs as needed.  See and Avoid. Utilization of TCAS. Make AFF a requirement on all aircraft contracts.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High
Low level flight profile-below 500', Special Use (recons, aerial survey, game count, mapping, etc.)

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Conduct thorough risk assessment training.  Thorough risk assessment/mission plan/performance planning is completed and signed at the appropriate level.  Minimize exposure time.  Utilize Part 27 certificated T3 helicopters. Ensure that the appropriate PPE/ALSE is used and that the flight is limited to essential flight crew members. Ensure aircraft and pilot are carded for the mission. Conduct high level recon prior to working below 500' AGL.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High
PASP/Go-No-Go Checklist absent or not complete (Policy Deviation)

Possible

Critical

High

 Ensure PASP and risk assessment are completed and approved at appropriate level.  Ensure Unit Aviation Managers and Forest Aviation Officers are involved in mission planning when necessary.  PASP should be used as a briefing tool.  Stress that on the Go/No-Go checklist a NO-GO halts the operation. Ensure that if there are multiple briefings that all information is given at the primary briefing.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Management Decisions Incident Management Team strategies shift risk from ground operations to aviation operations

Almost Certain

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Utilize safe and effective strategy and tactics.  Involve Pilot in mission planning.  Conduct thorough risk assessment prior to mission.  Brief/debrief.  Acquire appropriate level approval signatures for high-risk complex missions, i.e.  Helicopter Manager, IC, District Manager, Forest Supervisor, etc.  Involve Aviation overhead with operational planning of strategy and tactics for the Appropriate Management Response. Avoid risk/exposure transference.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High
Utilization Inefficient or improper use of Aircraft for the assigned mission (wrong aircraft selected for a mission, flying without tactical/logistical objectives, etc.)

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 Use only an appropriate aircraft for the mission.  Conduct thorough pre-mission planning and load calculations.  Ensure that tactical/logistical missions have clear, obtainable goals (i.e., Appropriate Aviation Management Response is used). Aircraft assigned should be based on performance and capabilities.

Possible

Critical

High
Environment Weather:  Poor Visibility/Thunderstorms/Hot-High DA/Turbulence

Almost Certain

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Obtain most current/accurate weather reports available.  Conduct risk assessment and determine need to conduct mission.  Wait until conditions improve.  Follow policy on visibility, wind speed, updating load calcs, etc.    Utilize part 27 certificated T3 helicopters or better.  Establish trigger points to stop operations.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High
Mountainous Terrain

Almost Certain

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Ensure Pilot is trained, experienced and qualified/carded.  Non-local flight crews obtain thorough briefing on local conditions before starting operations. Aircraft appropriate for the mission.  Performance planning is completed for environmental conditions.  Consider dual pilot operations or utilize a mentor pilot for low experience pilots.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High
Urban Interface: Wires, General Aviation Traffic, Major Airport Traffic, Communications, Congestion, High Complexity

Likely

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Conduct thorough briefings.  Review/establish Interagency agreements.  Provide preseason briefing for Media aircrews.  Preplan dip sites, staging area, helispots, etc.  Update aerial hazard maps.  Establish TFRs and issue NOTAMs as appropriate.  Require dip site management.  Order/utilize aerial supervision (HLCO).  Perform Airspace deconfliction and coordination.  Provide frequency and airspace management training.  Complexity is managed at appropriate level.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High
Communication Lack of Compatibility (Banding/Frequencies)

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 Utilize Unified Command.  Review/establish Interagency agreements to reduce/eliminate compatibility issues.  Continue education/training.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Frequency management - lack of timely response for Incident Support to obtain additional frequencies

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 Evaluate prior reviews and conduct additional national Interagency reviews of frequency management.  Release frequencies back to NICC as soon as they are no longer needed.  Encourage Dispatch offices to order additional frequencies early in emerging incidents.

Possible

Critical

High
Cockpit overload

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 Encourage pilots to speak up when starting to get overloaded. Discuss safety options with the pilot. Practice division of workload and CRM on incidents and in simulations.

Unlikely

Critical

High
Inadequate briefing

Possible

Critical

High

 Stress to Managers and Pilots the need to slow down and ensure adequate briefings.  Follow policy and guidelines, use existing checklists (NSHO, IRPG, etc.) as a minimum.  Solicitate feedback, reiterate information given, use of maps, IAPS, and frequency lists.  Ensure AARs are being conducted and documented.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Training Lack of training for specialized missions i.e. rehab (Bale dropping, waddle placement), guzzler placement, etc.

Possible

Critical

High

 Consider and encourage using End-Product Contracts.  When end-product is not feasible, develop standardized description of how to sling unusual items.  Develop a source list for approved equipment.  Utilize PASPs.  Utilize subject matter experts. Use Tech Tips to share information/procedures.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Lack of standardized training with non-Federal cooperators (non-standard terminology, target description, resource capability and limitations)

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 Promote joint training with non-Federal cooperators.  Ensure thorough briefings are conducted prior to starting operations. Check Incident Qualification cards.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Human Factors Lack of Crew Resource Management (CRM)

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

 Training, Brief/debrief, maintain positive attitude. Promote and attend formalized CRM training for contractors as well as agency employees. Include CRM training/topics at Helicopter Manager Workshops (RT-372). Include CRM as part of the training curriculum for S-372.

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).

 

 

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Date:  May 28, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

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References:

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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

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