Aircraft

Rappel Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Rappel, Aircraft

Sub-System	Hazards	Pre-Mitigation			Mitigation	Post-Mitigation
Sub-System	Hazards	Probability	Severity	Risk Level	Mitigation	Probability	Severity	Risk Level
Adequate Screening/ Evaluation	Lack of Standardization	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Develop National Rappel Standards/Evaluation Board.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Adequate Screening/ Evaluation	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).

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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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

Aircraft

Rappel Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Rappel, Aircraft

NWCG Latest Announcements

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NWCG

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PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

Aircraft

Rappel Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Rappel, Aircraft

NWCG Latest Announcements

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NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group