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PMS 530-1

Personnel

Aerial Supervision Risk Assessments

Aircraft | Operations | Maintenance | Personnel


SYSTEM:  Aerial Supervision, Personnel

Sub-System Hazards Pre-Mitigation Mitigation Post-Mitigation

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Human Factors Loss of situational awareness (SA) due to pilot/aircrew fatigue/burnout

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

A) Adhere to flight and duty limitations policy.

B) Activate phase limitations.

Possible

Critical

High

Hazardous air operations developing with ASM/ATGS through ineffective Crew Resource Management (CRM)

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

A) Re-evaluate task allocation.

B) Brief and debrief.

Rare

Critical

Medium

Leadplane pilot experiencing task saturation specific to single pilot operation

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

A) Employ CRM using span-of-control guidelines for multiple aircraft.

B) Adjust tactics as needed.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Acceptance of high risk as normal (Complacency)

Likely

Catastrophic

Extremely High

A) Re-evaluate risk vs benefit.

B) Solicit feedback from other flight crews.

C) Utilize CRM to validate mission parameters.

D) Validate mission, or remove the high risk taking individual from the mission.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

Hazardous air operations developing due to external pressures

Possible

Critical

High

A) Do not allow external pressure to influence the operation.

B) Utilize CRM to ensure an effective operation with acceptable level of risk.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Dehydration

Almost Certain

Moderate

High

Drink more water, stay hydrated, and maintain SA of your health.

Rare

Negligible

Low

Hazardous attitude: Anti authority, macho, invulnerability, impulsiveness, and resignation

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

A) Remove the individual from the mission.

B) Properly supervise employees.

C) Adhere to work-rest guidelines, flight and duty limitations policy, etc.

D) Validate and stick to incident strategy and tactics.

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:

NWCG Latest Announcements

WFSTAR 2025 Core Component Module Package and 2024 Fire Year in Review Now Available

Date: March 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Joe Schindel at mschindel@blm.gov
 

The 2025 Core Component Module Package for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) and the 2024 Fire Year in Review are now available on the NWCG website. The 2025 Core Component Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

References:

2025 Core Component Module Package

2024 Fire Year in Review Module

NEW! NWCG Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Field Guide, PMS 053

Date: March 12, 2025
Contact: Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Committee

The NWCG Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Field Guide, PMS 053 provides mitigation practitioners at all experience levels with recommendations on the most effective and efficient ways to accomplish mitigation work in communities at risk to wildfire damage or destruction. The content in this guide was written in coordination with the NWCG Standards for Mitigation in the Wildland Urban Interface, PMS 052.

References:

NWCG Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Field Guide, PMS 053 

Updated, NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

Date: March 11, 2025
Contact: Fire Use Subcommittee
Wildland Fire Module Unit

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430 standardizes procedures and expectations for Wildland Fire Modules (WFMs). These standards are to be used by staff, supervisors, specialists, and technicians for planning, administering, and conducting WFM operations. These standards will also be used as a measure of WFM qualifications, capabilities, and expected performance, for both Type 1 and Type 2 WFMs.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

NEW! NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514

Date: March 7, 2025
Contact: National Interagency Aviation Committee

The NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating airtankers on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations (SABO), PMS 508, and any applicable agency plans.

References:

NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514