Operations

Aerial Supervision Risk Assessments

Aircraft | Operations | Maintenance | Personnel

SYSTEM: Aerial Supervision, Operations

Sub-System	Hazards	Pre-Mitigation			Mitigation	Post-Mitigation
Sub-System	Hazards	Probability	Severity	Risk Level	Mitigation	Probability	Severity	Risk Level
Mission	Poor visibility (smoke) especially in low level environment	Almost Certain	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Limit exposure. A) Determine effectiveness of the operation (risk vs. benefit) and discontinue if warranted. B) Limit number of aircraft in operating area. C) Increase vertical/horizontal separation of aircraft.	Possible	Critical	High
	Wake turbulence in Leadplane and ASM platforms due to close proximity of airtankers	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	A) Situational awareness assists prevention. B) Communication helps to avoid wake turbulence areas. C) Wake turbulence avoidance procedures (altitude, time, distance).	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Weather (turbulence/wind/thunderstorms)	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	A) Adjust tactics or shut down air ops. B) Increase vertical/horizontal separation of aircraft. C) Utilize human aided technology (weather radar, etc.). D) Encourage dispatch to obtain/ communicate weather information. E) Utilize and share pilot reports of severe weather.	Possible	Critical	High
	Poor fuel management	Possible	Critical	High	A) Monitor fuel quantities. B) Follow fuel transfer procedures.	Unlikely	Critical	High
	Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) due to low level Leadplane and ASM operations	Almost Certain	Catastrophic	Extremely High	A) Ensure high level recon is completed prior to commencing low level flight. B) Manage radio communication. C) Proper aircraft configuration. D) Reduce exposure time in low level. E) Consult sectional chart/hazard map, consult ground personnel and other aircraft. F) Obtain unit inbrief and utilize local knowledge.	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
	Airtanker overruns the Leadplane/ASM	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	A) Brief the exit route. B) Airspeed control. C) Communicate the event. D) Maneuver to avoid collision.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	ATGS/ASM aircraft emergency (engine out, fire, bird strike, mechanical failure, etc.)	Possible	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Crew cross training and familiarization with aircraft systems and emergency procedure checklists (pinch hitter/simulator training).	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
	Aircraft emergency occurs in low level lead operation with Leadplane	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	A) Preplan escape routes. B) Train for emergency procedures. C) Fly the aircraft. D) Communicate and maintain situational awareness (SA).	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Leadplane/ASM operating in close proximity to other aircraft (mid-air potential)	Almost Certain	Catastrophic	Extremely High	A) Communication established with all aircraft. B) Situational awareness. C) TCAS. D) Establish clear and concise directions for simultaneous operations, (virtual fence, geographic separation, altitude separation, holding/timing, establish Initial point, ingress/egress route).	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
	Reliance on technology causes distraction, low situational awareness, division of attention in the cockpit	Almost Certain	Catastrophic	Extremely High	A) Maintain situational awareness. B) Maintain see and avoid techniques. C) Prioritize mission/ cockpit workload. D) Utilize CRM practices.	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
	Aircraft emergency during ASM/ATGS operations (engine out, fire, bird strike, mechanical failure, etc)	Possible	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Crew cross training and familiarization with aircraft systems and emergency procedure checklists (pinch hitter/simulator training).	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
	ASM/ATGS operations exceed span of control	Possible	Critical	High	A) Ensure roles and responsibilities are assigned and understood within aerial supervision crew. B) Assign aircraft to common functions and tasks with a single point of contact. C) Hold aircraft at base to limit the number of assigned aircraft over the incident.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Unclear objectives/tactics	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	A) Ensure strategy and tactics are clear and understood. B) Use common terminology, solicit/utilize feedback.	Possible	Critical	High
	ASM/ATGS performance results in hazardous operation	Possible	Critical	High	A) Shut down the operation, deconflict the area and return to base to rebrief the mission. B) Mentor, proficiency check-ride, retrain / recertify.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	ASM/ATGS unnecessary exposure due to inefficient operational use of tactical aircraft	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	A) SOPs for all tactical aircraft types. B) Right tool for job. C) Training, feedback, brief/debrief.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Airspace	FTA: aircraft not complying with procedures	Likely	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Aerial supervision enforces FTA procedures.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Multiple initial attack incidents in same area cause confusion, near miss hazard	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	A) Coordinate with dispatch and other aircraft. B) Ensure fire names, frequencies, locations, and aircraft assignments are communicated to all flight crews.	Possible	Critical	Medium
	Special use airspace: Aircraft not having authorization to enter the SUA, not coordinating with controlling agency	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	A) See and avoid. B) Know SUA areas. C) Establish communication with controlling agency. D) Thorough briefings.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Non-incident aircraft intrusion in TFR	Likely	Catastrophic	Extremely High	A) See and avoid, Inform other aircraft on scene. B) Reevaluate TFR promotion.	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
	Fires in proximity to airport/airstrip. Potential for mid-air collision or intrusion in FTA	Possible	Catastrophic	Extremely High	A) Implement/validate TFR as incident expands, deconflict SUA, establish commo with controlling agency, notify other aircraft. B) Provide TFR transition corridors for non-incident aircraft on large incidents. C) Increase awareness of GA operators and other agency flight crews not assigned to incident.	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
Communications	Radio frequency congestion	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Exercise radio discipline and/or order additional frequencies as needed.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	State/county/rural resources on different bandwidth	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Coordinate with cooperators to find a way to communicate with one another.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Hazardous air operations resulting from inaccurate information disseminated through the dispatch system	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	A) Verify information at time of dispatch. B) Flight crews will brief/debrief with dispatchers. C) Provide aviation training for dispatchers. D) Maintain qualified dispatcher on the aircraft desk.	Possible	Critical	High

Download the Word version (docx) of this information and the Risk Assessment Matrix (pdf) to use with the Risk Assessment Worksheet (docx).

Modified / Reviewed: April 25, 2024

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases New Equipment Bulletins

Date: September 27, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released three new Equipment Bulletins:

ETC-EB-24-003 Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers.
ETC-EB-24-004 Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeeping current inventories.
ETC-EB-24-005 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance.

These bulletins remind field going personnel of important issues related to equipment for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-24-003 Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers

ETC-EB-24-004 Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeeping current inventories

ETC-EB-24-005 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance

The Experiential Learning Subcommittee is looking for your feedback on Staff Rides

Date: September 20, 2024
Contact: Ashleigh D'Antonio and George Risko, Leadership Committee

The Experiential Learning Subcommittee needs to hear from the field about where the greatest need lies regarding staff rides and their accessibility.

Do you have an event you would like to turn into a learning experience?
Do you have a staff ride built, but are struggling to implement the delivery?
Do you need help building capacity?
What other ideas do you have to support experiential leadership training?

Fill out this short survey below to help us help you.

References:

Staff Rides: Feedback

Staff Rides

Updated NWCG Single Resource Casual Hire Information, PMS 934

Date: September 19, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

The Incident Business Committee has updated the NWCG Single Resource Casual Hire Information, PMS 934. This update expands the provisions for hiring emergency personnel.

References:

NWCG Single Resource Casual Hire Information, PMS 934

IBC Memorandum 24-03

NWCG 2024 Spring/Summer Highlights

Date: September 13, 2024

Welcome to our latest highlights from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, where we explore the latest updates, insights, and efforts that develop interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners.

The Performance Support Package, which for ABRO includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

NASA JOINS NWCG!

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is officially an associate member of NWCG. As such, NASA is beginning to collaborate with wildland fire management agencies with the goal of increasing collaboration across agencies and leveraging NASA data, technology, and innovation for nation-wide efforts in wildland fire management. NASA has a rich history of research, development, and technology transfer in the areas of Earth science, space technologies, and aeronautics that support the NWCG mission.

WWW.NWCG.GOV HAS A NEW LOOK AND DESIGN

The NWCG web team dedicated the past two years to making a significant upgrade to the www.nwcg.gov site. This upgrade involved a comprehensive redesign of over 7,700 web pages.

The modernization of NWCG’s website involved migrating to Drupal 10, a cutting—edge content management system, and leveraging Amazon Web Service GovCloud for secure and efficient hosting. These upgrades help ensure that the NWCG website remains current in content management practices, offering enhanced customization, improved performance, and an overall superior user experience.

NWCG Leadership Committee

The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program announced the Professional Reading Program’s 2024 list!

The years books include:

Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean
The Wisdom of the Bullfrog by William H. McRaven
The Art of Clear Thinking by Hasard Lee
Emotional Agility by Susan David
Writing to Persuade by Trish Hall

Learn more at the NWCG Leadership Committee

INCIDENT PERFORMANCE AND TRAINING MODERNIZATION

In 2023, NWCG kicked off the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. A training system overhaul focused on developing a performance-based training system designed to shift training to on-the-job when appropriate.

Over the next five years, NWCG intends to analyze all positions within the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1. To date we are currently working on 30 incident positions, and planning for 20+ in calendar year 2025.

Subject Matter Experts from a variety of geographical areas and agencies recently completed the position analysis for 16 positions. From this analysis, Incident Positions Standards and a Next Generation Position Task Book will be developed for each position.

Incident Performance and Training Modernization

NEXT GENERATION POSITION TASK BOOK

In April 2024, NWCG launched the new Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB) which is a key component of the IPTM effort. This revised evaluation tool is designed to work in conjunction with the newly developed Incident Position Standards.

Major Next Gen PTB changes:

Structured to improve constructive conversations between evaluators and trainees.
Reference new Incident Position Standards.
Include only tasks required to be evaluated for successful performance.
Trainees will be rated on their performance vs. initialing whether a task was completed.
Must include written feedback when trainee does not meet the standard.
Will be position specific (no combined PTBs).

Screen shot of the Next Gen Position Task Book

Banner image of the Wildland Fire Learning Portal website

NWCG’s training course catalog is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP).

To access the training course catalog, visit WFLP and either set up an account or login as a guest.

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

Operations

Aerial Supervision Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Aerial Supervision, Operations

NWCG Latest Announcements

References:

References:

References:

NASA JOINS NWCG!

WWW.NWCG.GOV HAS A NEW LOOK AND DESIGN

NWCG Leadership Committee

INCIDENT PERFORMANCE AND TRAINING MODERNIZATION

NEXT GENERATION POSITION TASK BOOK

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

Operations

Aerial Supervision Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Aerial Supervision, Operations

NWCG Latest Announcements

References:

References:

References:

NASA JOINS NWCG!

WWW.NWCG.GOV HAS A NEW LOOK AND DESIGN

NWCG Leadership Committee

INCIDENT PERFORMANCE AND TRAINING MODERNIZATION

NEXT GENERATION POSITION TASK BOOK

NWCG National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group