Operations

Helicopter Operations Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Helicopter Operations, Operations

Sub-System	Hazards	Pre-Mitigation			Mitigation	Post-Mitigation
Sub-System	Hazards	Probability	Severity	Risk Level	Mitigation	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
Training	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).

Last Modified / Reviewed: April 29, 2024

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As we approach the 2025 Week of Remembrance (WOR), June 30–July 6, we dedicate this time to reflect on the past incidents from 2015 and honor the fallen through learning. Since its inception in 2014, WOR has honored wildland firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while encouraging critical discussions that reinforce lessons learned.

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The U.S. Forest Service National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) is seeking input on the Forest Service-designed flame-resistant (FR) shirt, currently available through the National Interagency Support Cache system and FedMall.

NTDP is conducting a product review to improve future FR shirt designs. As part of this effort, a short survey is now open for federal employees who have worn any of three recent FR shirt models. Feedback will guide design improvements to better meet the needs of wildland firefighters.

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The S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended), equips new wildland firefighters with essential skills through a mix of online learning and hands-on training. The course features a required online component and an instructor-led exercise, reinforcing online concepts with practical performance-based training.

The course builds competencies in wildland fire operations, safety, and equipment use, applicable across various operational environments. Both the online component and instructor-led field exercise must be completed to receive a certificate of completion. Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended).

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EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

Date: June 3, 2025
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The Emergency Medical Committee has issued interim guidance for Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) teams. Until further notice, Type I and II REMS teams must designate a team leader qualified at Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1) or higher. This temporary change replaces the Single Resource Boss (SRB) requirement, which is currently not feasible due to administrative barriers.

This memorandum does not include any other changes to the NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552. This interim change takes effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

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Operations

Helicopter Operations Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Helicopter Operations, Operations

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Operations

Helicopter Operations Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Helicopter Operations, Operations

NWCG Latest Announcements

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