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Interagency Aerial Ignition Unit

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IAIU header graphic. A helicopter flying over dense smoke from burning timber below. An aerial ignition tank is suspended from the helicopter. An inset photo of a helicopter pilot looking out window to wildland fire below. Decorative.
Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Interagency Aerial Ignition Unit (IAIU) provides national leadership in all areas of aerial ignition operations, equipment, and management. The IAIU promotes and enables, safe, effective, and standardized aerial ignition operations through the development and dissemination of common technical and operational standards.

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Primary Objectives

Aerial ignition ground crew ready an ignition tank with fuel while helicopter crew stands in distance next to grounded helicopter. Decorative

  • Develop and maintain a primary aerial ignition standards document such as the NWCG Standards for Aerial Ignition, PMS 501.
  • Establish and implement processes for evaluating aerial ignition operations, equipment and management issues. Identify problems and recommend solutions.
  • Provide oversight of contractor and agency equipment and procedural compliance.
  • Review and approve new aerial ignition equipment, accessories and modifications.
  • Solicit and address field input on all areas of aerial ignition operations, including safety/regulatory compliance, performance, personnel qualifications, training needs, and equipment concerns.
  • Work with the NWCG Training Development Program to develop aerial ignition training products.

Training Materials

Helitorch Training Instructor Guide

Agency-based Position Task Books

Red Dragon Training

Helitorch Training

Plastic Sphere Dispenser Training

Chair: Ray, Justin

NWCG Coordinator: Schultz, Dave

Parent Committee: Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

Meeting Schedule:

TBD

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003 Flame-Resistant Shirt Survey

Date: June 12, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

The U.S. Forest Service National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) is seeking input on the Forest Service-designed flame-resistant (FR) shirt, currently available through the National Interagency Support Cache system and FedMall.

NTDP is conducting a product review to improve future FR shirt designs. As part of this effort, a short survey is now open for federal employees who have worn any of three recent FR shirt models. Feedback will guide design improvements to better meet the needs of wildland firefighters.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act, responses are limited to federal employees. The survey is open through September 12, 2025. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003

NEW! S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended) Now Available

Date: June 10, 2025
If you have questions, please visit our FAQ page. 
If your question is not answered there, you can 
submit your question using our Contact Us form. 
 

The S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended), equips new wildland firefighters with essential skills through a mix of online learning and hands-on training. The course features a required online component and an instructor-led exercise, reinforcing online concepts with practical performance-based training.

The course builds competencies in wildland fire operations, safety, and equipment use, applicable across various operational environments. Both the online component and instructor-led field exercise must be completed to receive a certificate of completion. Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended).

References:

S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

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