Aircraft

Rappel Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Rappel, Aircraft

Sub-System	Hazards	Pre-Mitigation			Mitigation	Post-Mitigation
Sub-System	Hazards	Probability	Severity	Risk Level	Mitigation	Probability	Severity	Risk Level
Adequate Screening/ Evaluation	Lack of Standardization	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Develop National Rappel Standards/Evaluation Board.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Adequate Screening/ Evaluation	Aircraft perform near limits of capabilities due to mission, payload, and environment	Possible	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Create national rappel specifications template for Schedule B. Utilize SMEs - Helicopter managers/HOSs/rappel specialists when developing aircraft contract specifications/ modifications.	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
Performance Capabilities and Limitations	Operating close to performance limitations of aircraft (weight/balance, DA, height/velocity curve, CG)	Almost Certain	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Strict compliance with flight manual and increased awareness training of aircraft performance for helicopter managers and proper mission planning. Continue using high performance Type 2 Helicopters and Part 27 Type 3 Helicopters.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Pilot visibility/vertical and horizontal reference	Possible	Critical	High	Develop National screening/evaluation process, identify minimum standards for visibility in rappel aircraft.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Pilot moving from right to left seat to fit mission in Bell medium helicopters	Possible	Critical	High	Ensure that Schedule B contract language is standardized Nationally for Type 2 Helicopters.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Equipment	Rappel anchor failure	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Ensure anchor is approved with proper and valid STCs, tested annually, installed correctly, and inspected at manufacturer's recommendations.	Rare	Catastrophic	Medium
	Spotter anchor failure	Possible	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Ensure anchor is approved with proper and valid STCs, tested annually, installed correctly, and inspected at manufacturer's recommendations.	Rare	Catastrophic	Medium
	Aircraft modifications improperly installed/false documentation	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Thorough maintenance inspections, verification of STC documentation and compliance, increased training for helicopter managers.	Rare	Catastrophic	Medium
	ICS communications not available to all rappelers	Possible	Critical	High	National rappel template for Schedule B.	Rare	Critical	Medium
Communication	Spotter cannot independently manipulate FM radios from back seat (pilot task saturation)	Possible	Critical	High	Audio panel conveniently available for pilot and spotter to individually manipulate.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Configuration	Doors off flight; crash survivability	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Minimize doors off operation to essential missions only. Create doors off checklist for NSHO.	Rare	Catastrophic	Medium
	Doors off flight; non secured items	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Training on proper storage of equipment when flying with doors off. Create doors off checklist for NSHO.	Rare	Catastrophic	Medium
	External basket security	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Assure security of external loads prior to mission.	Rare	Catastrophic	Medium
Maintenance	Lack of compliance with ADs, manufacture's inspections	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Strict compliance with flight manual, increased awareness training of maintenance requirements and ADs for helicopter managers, spot inspections of aircraft. Recommend all rappel contract helicopters require a mechanic.	Rare	Catastrophic	Medium
Aircraft Health	Undetected corrosion, stress crack, structural. Limited, and/or unknown amount of aircraft health testing and monitoring being performed on current aircraft (fatigue, corrosion, airframe, etc.)	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Ensure Maintenance Inspectors are conducting thorough reviews of aircraft maintenance logs.	Rare	Catastrophic	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: April 29, 2024

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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)

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

Date: Aug 14, 2025
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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

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

Date: Aug 13, 2025
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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.

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NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst Position Page

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

Date: Aug 8, 2025
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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

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PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

Aircraft

Rappel Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Rappel, Aircraft

NWCG Latest Announcements

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References:

References:

References:

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

Aircraft

Rappel Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Rappel, Aircraft

NWCG Latest Announcements

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References:

References:

References:

NWCG National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group