Operations

Airtanker Base Risk Assessments

Facilities | Hot Loading | Operations | Simultaneous Fueling and Loading

SYSTEM: Airtanker Base, Operations

Sub-System	Hazards	Pre-Mitigation			Mitigation	Post-Mitigation
Sub-System	Hazards	Probability	Severity	Risk Level	Mitigation	Probability	Severity	Risk Level
Retardant Loading	Lack of adequate spill prevention/mitigation equipment on site and the knowledge to use it	Almost Certain	Moderate	High	Provide base operations (both agency/vendor) with approved HazMat storage and containment facilities/equipment. Solicit for national contracts to provide portable hazmat storage facilities for incidents. Provide hands on training.	Unlikely	Moderate	Medium
	Slips/falls from retardant on ramp	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Ensure all retardant spills are cleaned up as soon as possible. Flag off area if necessary. Communicate hazard among all ramp personnel until cleaned up.	Unlikely	Negligible	Low
	Tripping over hoses	Possible	Critical	High	Ensure only authorized personnel are allowed onto ramp area during loading operations. Wear close-toed shoes with non-skid soles. Keep hoses confined to the safe area whenever possible. Keep wash-down hoses secured when not in use.	Unlikely	Moderate	Medium
	Falling or slipping from working around areas that are wet or slippery from retardant	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Wear appropriate footwear with non-skid soles. Clean up all spills immediately. Flag or sign areas that may be slippery. Train employees on using caution around retardant on ramp areas.	Unlikely	Moderate	Medium
	Aircraft settles when loading retardant	Likely	Moderate	High	Train loaders that aircraft may settle as retardant is being loaded. Ensure no one is standing directly under the aircraft during loading operations.	Unlikely	Negligible	Low
	Unfamiliar with aircraft to be loaded	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	All personnel involved in the loading of aircraft will receive an orientation briefing for that aircraft to include aircraft loading port valve connection and loading operation. Each specific aircraft type will shut down prior to the first load at a new base each season. For SEATs ensure to brief on loading hand signals.	Possible	Moderate	Medium
	Aircraft is overfilled with retardant	Possible	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Pilot will complete load calculation before each flight. Ensure aircrew's requested load amount is communicated to the loaders. All personnel involved in loading will be familiar with hand signals and any electronic load monitoring for each aircraft. All LAT and VLAT loads will be measured in pounds through a mass flow meter and the average density will be validated per the Mix Factor Table. If aircraft is overfilled, pilot and ATBM will IMMEDIATELY be informed.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Training	Not all mixers (MXMS) and loaders (RTCM) are adequately trained and qualified	Possible	Critical	High	Ensure all contractors and agency mixers and loaders are trained adequately, following approved training requirements. Provide additional Mixmaster training to agency personnel.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Training	Lack of knowledge and experience in ramp operations	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Conduct standardized ramp management training and review the base operations plan. Consider developing a ramp orientation packet.	Unlikely	Moderate	Medium
Environment	Blowing dust/debris	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Wear eye protection in and around the ramp area. Establish a foreign object debris (FOD) detection program. Inspect ramp and surrounding areas continuously for objects that may be blown into the air by aircraft prop/jet blast. Ensure all containers have secured lids or tie downs in place to prevent dispersal of trash/debris. Ensure all equipment and aircraft within the taxi area are secured.	Unlikely	Moderate	Medium
	Poor visibility	Possible	Critical	Extremely High	Wear high-visibility clothing or vests while on the ramp. Use lighted wands for FWPTs during low-visibility or low-light operations for all aircraft movements. Follow VFR (SEATs) or IFR minimums. Visibility can change throughout the day for multiple reasons, monitor visibility conditions. Consider stopping or moving base operations in the event that visibility is becoming poor.	Unlikely	Moderate	Medium
	High ambient temperatures on ramp	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Provide adequate hydrating fluids (water and Gatorade) for all personnel working outside. Allow adequate time for breaks inside air conditioned or shaded areas. Utilize time between aircraft to rest and cool down.	Possible	Moderate	Medium
	Extreme weather conditions	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Confirm weather information resources are available and information is shared. Ensure that red-flag warnings, fire weather and extreme weather concerns are communicated. Ensure there are continual updates on changing weather conditions shared between pilots, base managers, dispatchers, etc. Go/No-Go is pilot decision. Stop operations on ramp until conditions improve. If extreme weather is in the operating area, consider halting operations and/or moving aircraft out of the area until conditions clear.	Unlikely	Moderate	Medium
Aircraft Hazards	Noise from running engine(s)	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Provide noise canceling hearing protection for all personnel on the ramp. Segregate ground crews from running engines. Operate within the safety area around engines. Participate in the Hearing Conservation Program.	Unlikely	Negligible	Low
	Heat from running engine(s).	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Operate within the safety area around engines. Train and educate personnel in situational awareness. Try to avoid working around the APU exhaust.	Unlikely	Moderate	Medium
	Walking into propellers/too close to jet engines	Likely	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Never walk through a propeller arc, even when engine is shut down. Do not walk under the wing at any time. Operate within the safety area around engines.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Velocity of jet blast/prop wash from running engine(s)	Possible	Critical	High	Separate ground crews from running engines. Operate within the safety area around engines. Train and educate personnel in situational awareness. Secure loose objects within the vicinity. Turn your back and brace yourself if you cannot leave the area.	Unlikely	Moderate	Medium
Management	Lack of follow-up on annual base reviews	Likely	Moderate	High	Coordinate with appropriate agency personnel to ensure issues are mitigated as necessary. Delegate remediation and responsibilities to base management and supervisors. Adhere to agency policy and OSHA requirements.	Unlikely	Negligible	Low
	Span of control	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Ensure that base operation's plans address span of control and identify trigger points and contingencies to handle events where it is exceeded. Order additional personnel during high fire activity. Train local staff to assist. Comply with SABO.	Unlikely	Moderate	Medium
	Policy deviation	Possible	Critical	High	Reinforce and emphasize to base managers, aircraft managers and contractors their responsibility to communicate with local and state/regional aviation management, National Aviation Office, COs, CORs, etc. when questions and issues arise. Identify the circumstance causing deviation and mitigate to prevent future deviation. File SAFECOM as necessary.	Unlikely	Moderate	Medium
	Multiple agencies with differing standards	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Recommend continued development and implementation of Interagency Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, involving all agencies in development of standards.	Possible	Critical	High
	Aircraft and base managers are not following the return to contract availability procedures	Almost Certain	Moderate	High	Agency personnel need to follow return to contract availability procedures in the SABO. Only Aviation maintenance Inspectors can return aircraft to contract availability. Base/aircraft manager notifies dispatch, COR and local FAO/UAM of any maintenance issues causing the aircraft to be out of service.	Unlikely	Moderate	Medium
Human Factors	Ground support personnel fatigue	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Adhere to established work-rest policy/guidelines and promote additional off-time when possible. Request additional staffing and/or detailers during peaks of high fire activity. Ensure adequate facilities and supplies are available.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Acceptance of risk as normal	Likely	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Emphasize importance of situational awareness as a means to recognizing risk. Provide risk management training for all personnel. Ensure thorough briefings/debriefings with special attention to risk management and preventing future accidents. Utilize risk assessments, JHAs, SMS, GARs, etc., to assist in mitigating risk.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Poor Crew Resource Management (CRM) with crew rotations	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Make effort to ensure that all relief personnel arrive with enough time for an adequate briefing from personnel being relieved. Provide recurring training on CRM for aircrews and base personnel (agency and contractor).	Possible	Critical	High
	Changes in standard operating procedures not known	Likely	Moderate	High	Review agency policy documents annually and watch for changes occurring throughout the year. Management should notify appropriate personnel in a timely manner of program and policy changes. Be flexible and adapt to changing environments, policy, procedures, circumstances etc.	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

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Last Modified / Reviewed: April 25, 2024

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Firing Boss, Single Resource

Date: April 30, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105, are now available.

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

References:

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105

NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Helicopter Crewmember

Date: April 28, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22, are now available.

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

References:

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22

Updated NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Date: April 23, 2025
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Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee

The NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 standardizes processes and procedures for the interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This updated publication provides the aviation community with standards to ensure UAS are used safely, effectively, and efficiently in support of fire management goals and objectives.

References:

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

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ETC Bulletin 25-001: Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits - 2025 Field Season

Date: April 16, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

Due to spout failures and the associated risk of burn injuries, manufacturers have retrofitted the Hot/Cold Beverage Kits using a heat-shrinking band to secure the black spout at the insertion site. The updated kits feature a fluorescent label on each full kit assembly for easy identification. Catering units are encouraged to confirm the clear heat-shrinking bands are intact around each spout before filling.

ETC Bulletin 24-001 regarding Hot/Cold Beverage Kits has been archived and replaced by ETC Bulletin 25-001 for the 2025 season.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-25-001 Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

Operations

Airtanker Base Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Airtanker Base, Operations

NWCG Latest Announcements

References:

References:

References:

References:

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

Operations

Airtanker Base Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Airtanker Base, Operations

NWCG Latest Announcements

References:

References:

References:

References:

NWCG National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group