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RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR)

RT-130 Decorative banner. Group of photos depicting wildland firefighters performing various duties.

Helispot Management – A Skill for All Firefighters

Any firefighter may assist with helispot operations, even if they are not on a helicopter crew. Explore what it means to be a Helispot Manager so you can contribute to safe and efficient helispot operations.
Category: Aviation
Core Component(s):
Fire and Aviation Operational Safety
Estimated Delivery Time: 30 minutes
Video Length: 11:14

Intent

Review helispot construction specifications, discuss Helispot Manager duties, and explore job aids/other references which help every firefighter contribute to safe and efficient helispot operations.

Facilitator Preparation

Facilitating the Discussion

  • Show the video.
  • Facilitate a small or large group discussion using the activity and discussion questions.

Discussion Questions

  1. Refer to the Aviation (blue) section of the IRPG.
    1. Discuss three factors to consider when selecting a helicopter landing area.
    2. What helicopter type are you most likely to encounter this season (Type 1, Type 2, or Type 3)? Describe the minimum safety circle and touchdown pad dimensions for the appropriate helicopter type.
    3. What are three items needed for safe operations at any helispot?
    4. How far should you clear trees and brush in the takeoff/landing approach for a one-way helispot? For a two-way helispot?
  2. Helispot Managers must always be qualified Helicopter Crewmembers (HECM), but any firefighter may be asked to assist with helispot operations.
    1. Review the list of Helispot Manager Duties and Responsibilities in NWCG Standards for Helicopter Operations, PMS 510.
    2. Identify actions on the list you may be asked to assist with and discuss how you can contribute to safe and efficient helispot operations.

Optional Scenario – Latitude and Longitude Conversion for Air Operations

  1. There are different formats for latitude and longitude coordinates. Degrees Minutes Seconds (ddd⁰ mm’ ss.s”) is the most common format used on maps. Degrees Decimal Minutes (ddd⁰ mm.mmm’) is used by aircraft guidance systems. As described in the video, incident personnel should use Degrees Decimal Minutes when communicating with air resources. Firefighters should be proficient in converting between latitude/longitude formats.
    1. To convert from Degrees Minutes Seconds to Degrees Decimal Minutes, divide the seconds by 60 to get the decimal minutes.
      1. For example:      48° 20' 30”    →       30” ÷ 60 = .5’ →     48° 20.5'
    2. To convert Degrees Decimal Minutes to Degrees Minutes Seconds, multiply the decimal (.5) by 60 to get the seconds.
      1. For example:      48° 20.5'      →       .5’ x 60 = 30” →     48° 20' 30"
    3. Practice converting from one format to the other using the example coordinates at 5:13 in the video. Hint: The coordinates in the video are the same location in different formats.
    4. For additional information on Latitude and Longitude Coordinate Formats and Conversion, refer to Basic Land Navigation, PMS 475.

Resources

Additional Video Information

  • This video is also available as a download (zip file, size 1.18 GB) with .srt file for closed captioning (you may need to right click and Save As). For information on how to add closed captioning to a video, see this how to page.
  • Note: For Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, right click the word download and select Save Link As; For IE, right click and select Save Target As.

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Great Basin Cache Upgrading to New Inventory System

Date: May 7, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Great Basin Cache
Phone: (208) 387-5104
Fax: (208) 387-5573

The Great Basin Cache (GBK) is transitioning to a new inventory system to better serve the wildland fire community. During this upgrade, GBK will be unable to process standard orders from Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment and Part 2: Publications between May 8-20, 2025, with exceptions made for emergency fire orders. Orders will be accepted through close of business May 7.

To browse the latest available items, please refer to the National Fire Equipment System (NFES) catalogs. 

References:

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment, PMS 449-1

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 2: Publications, PMS 449-2

NEW! Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF) Now Available

Date: May 2, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
National Interagency Aviation Committee

The Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF) provides the Air Operations Branch with the number, type, location, and specific assignments of helicopters and air resources. The new ICS 220 WF also includes medical extraction capabilities and air resources tracking.

Understanding the capabilities of aviation assets is critical for effective medical and extraction responses. Coordination with the Medical Unit Leader is essential to ensure alignment and consistency between the ICS 220 WF and the Medical Plan (ICS 206 WF). 

References:

Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF)

National Interagency Aviation Committee

Incident Command System (ICS) Forms

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 Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

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