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Hot Loading

 

When hot loading is executed properly, it can expedite airtankers returning to an incident and save on turbine/jet engine starts. Hot loading is defined as loading an airtanker with one or more propulsion engines running. Each base must have an approved plan specific to hot loading. The Airtanker Base Manager (ATBM) will determine when hot loading is approved.

Discuss the procedures for hot loading specific to your base.

Each airtanker vendor must have an approved risk assessment and specific procedures directly related to each type of airtanker that is requesting to hot load. There are three categories of airtanker contracts that may be requesting hot loading approval:

  • Cal Fire contracted S-2.
  • BLM/USFS/State contracted Single Engine Airtanker (SEAT).
  • USFS/State contracted Large Airtanker (LAT) and Very Large Airtanker (VLAT).

All airtankers must give a briefing on the procedures for hot loading on their first visit to each airtanker base each season. All ramp personnel shall take part in this briefing.

  • What is unique to your base about hot loading?
  • Are you authorized to hot load all of the airtankers that can come to your base?

Can the Fixed Wing Parking Tender (FWPT) view engine(s) left running and be able to monitor loading operations simultaneously?

  • If this can’t be done, are there other qualified personnel to deploy?
  • Should there ever be a time the FWPT cannot see the loaders and the running engines?

Can hot loading at your base adversely affect personnel in another loading pit or any aircraft parking areas? If so, can these effects be mitigated to an acceptable level?

 

Category
Airtankers
References
NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508


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NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters

Date: January 15, 2025
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters. Non-specification fire shelters claiming to meet Forest Service (FS) fire shelter specification 5100-606 were first found in February of 2023. As of September 2024, non-specification shelters are again being advertised and sold on the open market.

This Safety Warning outlines details and recommended procedures to purchase FS specification shelters made with materials and components that meet performance criteria and toxicity testing requirements outlined in FS Specification 5100-606. 

For additional information on identifying non-specification shelters, please view ETC Safety Warning 23-01.

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ETC Safety Warning 25-001: Non-specification fire shelters

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee

ETC Safety Warning 23-01

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Contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee has awarded the 2023 Paul Gleason “Lead By Example” awards to individuals in the categories of Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, and Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

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Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

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Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Water Scooper Operations Unit

The NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating water scooping aircraft on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, and any local, state, or geographic/regional water scooping plans.

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NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Updated NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee

The Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee has updated the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505. PMS 505 establishes standards for aerial supervision operations for national interagency wildland fire operations. 

References:

NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505