Facilities

Helicopter Operations Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Helicopter Operations, Facilities (permanent and temporary)

Sub-System	Hazards	Pre-Mitigation			Mitigation	Post-Mitigation
Sub-System	Hazards	Probability	Severity	Risk Level	Mitigation	Probability	Severity	Risk Level
Communication	Lack of adequate base station VHF and FM radios-Not able to adequately communicate to helicopters out working missions/projects with handheld radios	Possible	Critical	High	Provide all Ex Use crews with mounted FM and AM radios on chase trucks (NOT just handhelds). Utilize Ex Use crews more often on incidents because they have the support equipment. Helibase Commo trailers should be on a National Contract instead of Geographic Area in order to lower cost.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Communication	Lack of adequate computers-not able to access necessary flight planning, ABS, and weather documents prior to missions	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Have Cache computers available for Incident/Unit personnel to check out that are Intranet accessible. These computers should be able to access Internet as well for weather updates, TFR information, filing of flight plans, completing electronic payment forms, etc. Ensure all Ex Use bases have Internet as well as Intranet access in order to access critical WX, TFR and Flight Planning information.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Environment	Haz Mat concerns/spills-Lack of adequate spill prevention/mitigation equipment on site and the knowledge to utilize it	Almost Certain	Moderate	High	Provide permanent as well as temporary helibases with approved Haz Mat storage facilities/equipment. Solicit for National Contracts to provide portable hazmat storage facilities for Incidents.	Unlikely	Moderate	Medium
Inspection / Evaluation	Lack of Accountability/Follow Up on Annual/Triennial Helibase Reviews	Likely	Moderate	High	Hold Management accountable to conduct follow up and remedy critical issues found in reviews and adhere to interagency and OSHA standards.	Unlikely	Negligible	Low
Utilization	Span of Control/Collateral Duties. Personnel are often tasked with multiple duties especially during the emergence of an incident. Focused on Task at hand and not able to provide adequate oversight	Likely	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Ensure existing staffing, supervision and management policies and procedures are met. Place aviation resource needs at higher priority level in the resource ordering process. Need to ensure situation is recognized and ensure additional resources/supervision is ordered. Limit collateral duties in key supervisory positions. If unable to fill key positions operations will be shut down or limit use of aircraft until span of control issues are resolved.	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
Policy	Operational and mission goals during all-hazard assignments may be unstated or unclear and may conflict with interagency standards and policy	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Adequate in-brief and dissemination of Commander's intent. Clarification of scope of authority and policy in place. Adhere to interagency policy, procedures and guidelines (e.g., NSHO). If unable to perform duties utilizing interagency policy, perform a separate risk assessment with appropriate approval sign off. Ensure personnel are working within the scope of their employment. Implementation of Aviation Doctrine may further mitigate conflicts between direction and policy.	Possible	Critical	High
Training	Unable to bring seasonals on early enough to provide all the required training prior to sending on incidents	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Ensure line officers are committed to providing adequate time and funding to develop personnel as necessary.	Possible	Critical	High
Training	Lack of CRM	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Provide adequate time for training and provide time for Modules to develop CRM prior to field season. Provide training in CRM for Modules annually. Brief/debrief, maintain positive attitude.	Possible	Critical	High
Human Factors	Fatigue/burnout due to incident duration as well as year-round All Risk incident support	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Adhere to work/rest guidelines. Monitor fatigue levels of crews. Rotate personnel and helicopter programs to manage fatigue and burnout. Manage number and duration of assignments. Ensure adequate time off and provide quality R and R while on assignments.	Possible	Critical	High
	Acceptance of high-risk missions as normal	Likely	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Review risk assessment and existing policy/procedures, brief/debrief with all personnel and utilize risk management tools to include Go-No-Go Checklists. Educate personnel on the hazards of normalization of risk and complacency. Mission decision made at appropriate level. Must have better communication and collaboration between Operations and Aviation.	Possible	Critical	High
	High workload for Maintenance Inspectors may compromise their ability to perform thorough inspections. Standard inspections criteria not followed consistently among agencies or regions	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Increase amount of personnel available to perform the duties of Maintenance Inspector in proportion with span of control. Ensure inspection standards are developed and maintained by agencies.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Conflicting personalities resulting in hazardous attitudes	Possible	Critical	Extremely High	If individuals cannot professionally resolve differences, managers and supervisors must intervene immediately. Brief/debrief, employ CRM, provide honest and objective feedback, maintain positive attitude. Maintain professionalism and mission focus at all times.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium

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

Last Modified / Reviewed: April 29, 2024

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for RADO and INCM

Date: July 30, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Incident Logistics Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Radio Operator (RADO) and Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Radio Operator Position Page

NWCG Incident Communications Center Manager Position Page

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004 NEW Aquatic Invasive Species – Golden Mussels

Date: July 29, 2025
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Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) issued Equipment Bulletin: 25-004, notifying the wildland fire community about a newly discovered invasive species and actions to take if found. Golden mussels, a highly invasive species recently identified in California, pose a significant risk to native ecosystems, infrastructure, and fire equipment. These mussels rapidly colonize hard and soft surfaces, including aquatic plants and fire equipment, clogging pipes, fouling motors, disrupting water systems, and impacting native species.

To help prevent their spread, fire personnel must follow the decontamination procedures outlined in the NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444. Additionally, report any sightings immediately to your Lead Resource Advisor and include clear, close-up photos and location details.

Read the complete ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004 to learn more.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004

NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for ICT5 and FFT1

Date: July 29, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Incident Command Subcommittee
Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) and Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1).

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Incident Commander Type 5 Position Page

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss Position Page

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for ATBM and FWBM

Date: July 28, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Airtanker Base Operations Unit

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Airtanker Base Manager (ATBM) and Fixed Wing Base Manager (FWBM).

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Airtanker Base Manager Position Page

NWCG Fixed Wing Base Manager Position Page

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

Facilities

Helicopter Operations Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Helicopter Operations, Facilities (permanent and temporary)

NWCG Latest Announcements

References:

References:

References:

References:

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

Facilities

Helicopter Operations Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Helicopter Operations, Facilities (permanent and temporary)

NWCG Latest Announcements

References:

References:

References:

References:

NWCG National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group