Operations

Rappel Risk Assessments

System: Rappel, Operations

Sub-System	Hazards	Pre-Mitigation			Mitigation	Post-Mitigation
Sub-System	Hazards	Probability	Severity	Risk Level	Mitigation	Probability	Severity	Risk Level
Training	Non standard/inconsistent	Almost Certain	Moderate	High	Utilize joint training. Train the trainer to one standard.	Possible	Moderate	Medium
Supervision	Not properly qualified for firefighting mission	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High	Ensure Spotter and firefighters adhere to existing qualifications.	Rare	Catastrophic	Medium
Supervision	Escape routes and safety zones not identified	Possible	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Ensure Spotter and ALL firefighters have knowledge and location of safety zones, and escape routes prior to fast rope deployment.	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
Rappel Procedure	Non-standard procedures / policy deviation	Possible	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Frequent unscheduled inspections by HOS/check spotter/peers/SME, suspend operations until corrections are made. Violations will result in program suspension. Utilize joint training when practical. Check spotters from other bases and regions will conduct combined training. Attendance of National or Regional Rappel Spotter Workshop is mandatory every two years.	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
	Non-standard verbiage, direction, and interaction between spotter and pilot during rappel operations	Almost Certain	Critical	High	Increase simulation training, mock-ups, and proficiency (especially with relief pilots). Ensure proper briefing for new/relief personnel. Develop Challenge and Response criteria between spotter and pilot. Develop CRM training specific to pilot-spotter relationship to be included in PMS 310-1.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Deviation from intended mission with limited information	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Obtain necessary information prior to accepting mission, obtain frequencies, contacts, coordinates, additional aircraft, known hazards, deconflict airspace, follow all FTA procedures. Ensure crew is re-briefed on new mission.	Possible	Critical	High
	Exposure to off-site landing	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Follow standard procedures (high-low recon, power checks, verify load calculations as valid, etc.) Follow risk management process. Site selection needs to be mutually agreed upon by pilot and spotter. Respond to the incident configured to rappel when appropriate.	Possible	Critical	High
Rappel Site Selection	Poor site selection	Possible	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Spotter training, develop national standard Spotter Training Handbook, CRM, depth of fire experience, minimal redcard qualification of single resource boss with ICT4 being preferred.	Unlikely	Catastrophic	High
External Cargo Letdown	Rappelers on board helicopter during delivery of cargo which translates to longer exposure to personnel during high power settings in hover	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Follow standard procedures (high-low recon, power checks, verify load calculations as valid, etc.) Follow risk management process. Site selection needs to be mutually agreed upon by pilot and spotter. Respond to the incident configured to rappel when appropriate.	Possible	Critical	High
External Cargo Letdown	Overflying highways, major population area, personnel	Possible	Critical	High	Establish and brief on proper flight paths, update maps, see and avoid, find other means for mission.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Internal Cargo Letdown	Security of Cargo without appropriate or approved hardware	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Establish minimum standard for cargo restraint straps and protective netting.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Internal Cargo Letdown	Exposure to rappelers during internal load operations due to additional weight on board the aircraft and denied living space	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Consider performing cargo operation separately. Ensure that method of securing cargo is adequate for the size and weight of the cargo in the event of an accident. When possible secure the cargo outside of the passenger compartment. Limit internal cargo weight. Require DOT approved containers for hazardous materials.	Possible	Critical	High
Emergency Procedures	Lack of adequate training / proficiency	Possible	Critical	High	Increase simulation training, utilize tower/elevated platform to increase rappeler/spotter emergency procedure proficiency, develop training which includes pilot, spotter and rappeler. Improve/update spotter/rappeler training syllabus.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Emergency Procedures	Non standard verbiage for mission critical / non-critical situations (Emergency vs. Non-Emergency in hover during rappel ops)	Possible	Critical	High	Increase simulation training, fund and utilize current simulators at McClellan, develop challenge/response criteria between spotter and pilot.	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

Print PDF

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
Questions? Please contact:
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

Operations

Rappel Risk Assessments

System: Rappel, Operations

NWCG Latest Announcements

References:

References:

References:

References:

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

Operations

Rappel Risk Assessments

System: Rappel, Operations

NWCG Latest Announcements

References:

References:

References:

References:

NWCG National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group