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PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

NWCG Standards for Aviation Risk Management, PMS 530

NWCG Aviation Risk Management Workbook, PMS 530-1

How to Use Workbook

IMPORTANT: How To Use Workbook

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Fixed Wing Risk Assessments

Helicopter Risk Assessments

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Risk Assessments

Other Risk Assessments

 

Aircraft

Rappel Risk Assessments

Aircraft | Equipment | Operations

SYSTEM:  Rappel, Aircraft

Sub-System Hazards Pre-Mitigation Mitigation Post-Mitigation

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Probability

Severity

Risk Level
Adequate Screening/ Evaluation Lack of Standardization

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

 Develop National Rappel Standards/Evaluation Board. 

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Aircraft perform near limits of capabilities due to mission, payload, and environment

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Create national rappel specifications template for Schedule B. Utilize SMEs - Helicopter managers/HOSs/rappel specialists when developing aircraft contract specifications/ modifications.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High
Performance Capabilities and Limitations Operating close to performance limitations of aircraft (weight/balance, DA, height/velocity curve, CG)

Almost Certain

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Strict compliance with flight manual and increased awareness training of aircraft performance for helicopter managers and proper mission planning. Continue using high performance Type 2 Helicopters and Part 27 Type 3 Helicopters.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Pilot visibility/vertical and horizontal reference

Possible

Critical

High

 Develop National screening/evaluation process, identify minimum standards for visibility in rappel aircraft.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Pilot moving from right to left seat to fit mission in Bell medium helicopters

Possible

Critical

High

 Ensure that Schedule B contract language is standardized Nationally for Type 2 Helicopters.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Equipment Rappel anchor failure

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

Ensure anchor is approved with proper and valid STCs, tested annually, installed correctly, and inspected at manufacturer's recommendations. 

Rare

Catastrophic

Medium
Spotter anchor failure

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

 Ensure anchor is approved with proper and valid STCs, tested annually, installed correctly, and inspected at manufacturer's recommendations. 

Rare

Catastrophic

Medium
Aircraft modifications improperly installed/false documentation

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

 Thorough maintenance inspections, verification of STC documentation and compliance, increased training for helicopter managers.

Rare

Catastrophic

Medium
ICS communications not available to all rappelers

Possible

Critical

High

 National rappel template for Schedule B.

Rare

Critical

Medium
Communication Spotter cannot independently manipulate FM radios from back seat (pilot task saturation)

Possible

Critical

High

 Audio panel conveniently available for pilot and spotter to individually manipulate.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium
Configuration Doors off flight; crash survivability

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

 Minimize doors off operation to essential missions only. Create doors off checklist for NSHO.

Rare

Catastrophic

Medium
Doors off flight; non secured items

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

 Training on proper storage of equipment when flying with doors off. Create doors off checklist for NSHO.

Rare

Catastrophic

Medium
External basket security

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

 Assure security of external loads prior to mission.

Rare

Catastrophic

Medium
Maintenance Lack of compliance with ADs, manufacture's inspections

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

 Strict compliance with flight manual, increased awareness training of maintenance requirements and ADs for helicopter managers, spot inspections of aircraft. Recommend all rappel contract helicopters require a mechanic.

Rare

Catastrophic

Medium
Aircraft Health Undetected corrosion, stress crack, structural. Limited, and/or unknown amount of aircraft health testing and monitoring being performed on current aircraft (fatigue, corrosion, airframe, etc.)

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

 Ensure Maintenance Inspectors are conducting thorough reviews of aircraft maintenance logs.

Rare

Catastrophic

Medium

 

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

 

 

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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

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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