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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.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Capabilities and Limitations

Agency operated Unmanned Aircraft Systems are becoming more prevalent and more capable every year. This video is designed to provide all firefighters with a baseline understanding of UAS capabilities and limitations. Through that lens the video covers typing, communications, integration in the Fire Traffic Area, decision making when ordering, and updates in the Incident Response pocket guide.
Category: Aviation
Core Component(s):
Fire and Aviation Operational Safety, Human Factors, Communication and Decision Making
Estimated Delivery Time: 30 Minutes
Video Length: 9:24

Intent

Enhance firefighters’ abilities to effectively use Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) through increased knowledge of UAS operations and mission profiles.

Facilitator Preparation

Review the video and module tools. Consider additional activities and discussion questions pertinent to the geographic location and your respective agency.

Facilitating the Discussion

Show the video. Facilitate a small or large group discussion using the activity and discussion questions. Present the scenario below and guide students through the exercise.

Scenario

You are the Firing Boss for a prescribed burning operation on your home unit. It is late March. This burn unit is 700 acres. You have five Type 6 engine crews and a hotshot crew for this project. The area is prescribed burned every 4 years. This burn unit is in a hardwood forest. The fuel types are a compact leaf litter layer interspersed with a small amount of 10-hour fuels. 

 

Image
A forest filled with numerous trees the ground covered with rich brown leaves.
Image 1

The terrain is relatively flat with small rolling hills. One unit boundary is a dirt road, two boundaries can only be patrolled on foot and border private land, and one boundary is a steep cliff with a 70ft drop into a drainage. Structures at risk are a large wooden footbridge over a stream and a lean-to. What factors would you consider when making the determination whether to order a UAS crew for assistance? 

Conduct Activity (Optional)

  • Divide the class.
  • Give each group the Activity Questions below.
  • Discuss group responses.

Activity Questions

  1. What are the safety protocols firefighters should follow when UAS are operating in the airspace above you?
  2. What is the process for reporting aviation near misses during firefighting operations?
  3. Discuss past experiences where there has been a miscommunication with aviation. How could the miscommunication have been prevented?
  4. How do you get ahold of UAS crews on your radio?
  5. Can UAS be used to help mitigate hazards and if so which hazards?
  6. Can you think of any ways that UAS could save resources time and energy?

Resources 

Table of Abbreviations
ADS-B  Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast
AOBD    Air Operations Branch Director
ATGSAttack Group Supervisor
BVLOS    Beyond Visual Line of Site
EO/IR Electro-Optical/Infra-Red
FTAFire Traffic Area
TFRTemporary Flight Restrictions
UASUnmanned Aircraft Systems

Additional Video Information

The video is also available as a download (zip file, size 1.28 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

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

Date: June 3, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

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.

References:

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

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

Equipment Bulletin 25-002: Chaps, Chain Saw, M-2020, Nonconformities Affecting Use, Appearance, and Serviceability

Date: June 2, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee issued Equipment Bulletin: 25-002 to address a manufacturing nonconformity affecting Forest Service specification, 6170-4K Chain Saw Chaps. The issue applies to chaps manufactured in 2024 and 2025 and distributed through FedMall. These chaps may have incorrectly bound edges that expose inner protective layers.

Independent purchasers should inspect all chain saw chaps received from FedMall beginning in 2024, prior to use. Review the full Equipment Bulletin: 25-002 for inspection criteria and recommended actions.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-002

2024 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service Awards

Date: May 22, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service Awards. Each year, EMC recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated exceptional actions or accomplishments that go above and beyond their normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety and well-being of the wildland fire community. These honors are well deserved.

References:

2024 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

NWCG Emergency Medical Committee

NWCG Welcomes the Incident Management Teams Association as an Associate Member

Date: May 21, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
https://www.nwcg.gov/contact-us

The NWCG Executive Board is honored to announce that the Incident Management Teams Association (IMTA) has joined the National Wildfire Coordinating Group as an associate member.

IMTA is a dedicated group of incident management professionals committed to enhancing the profession by promoting standards and fostering collaboration across federal, state, local, Tribal, and private sector partners throughout all phases of incident management.

“Joining NWCG aligns with our mission to elevate incident management professionals nationwide,” said Dr. Randal Collins, President of IMTA. “This is a proud moment for all of us committed to advancing public safety.”

References:

Incident Management Teams Association

National Wildfire Coordinating Group