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PMS 530-1

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Risk Assessments

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations can be small to large and vary in complexity. Though UAS are unmanned there is still an inherent risk associated with flight operations.  UAS are still considered aircraft and should be treated like any other aircraft when considering the need for Risk Assessments (RA).  Risk is the product of hazards associated with conducting operations in a specific flight environment and the potential for those identified hazards to affect the outcome of the mission/flight.  RAs help to identify potential hazards, the effect they could have on mission outcome, and mitigations that might help to lessen those outcomes. For all UAS operations RAs should be part of the mission planning.

The links provided will direct you to RAs categorized by System and Sub-System. For your specific mission you may need information provided on multiple pages.  Please take the time to review all System and Sub-System pages that relate to your specific mission/aircraft. The RAs provided have been submitted and/or reviewed by the interagency committees and subcommittees with mission expertise related to the specific RAs.  The Aviation Risk Management Subcommittee (ARMS) has approved these RAs for inclusion in the NWCG Aviation Risk Management Workbook, PMS 530-1.  You will find the Page Last Modified / Reviewed date at the bottom of each RA to help identify the most recent version/content. If you identify additional hazards and mitigations which need to be added or if you recognize revisions that need to be made to existing RAs, please Submit Revision/Recommendation.  You will find additional directions on how to submit information on that page.  If you need direction regarding how to use this workbook, please reference How to Use Workbook where you will find specific guidance on how best to utilize this information.

Available Options

Note:  Some risk assessments are not yet available.

Aerial Ignition

Aerial Reconnaissance

Mapping/ Photogrammetry

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