Personnel, Contractors

Single Engine Airtanker (SEAT)

SYSTEM: SEAT, Personnel (Contractors)

Sub-System	Hazards	Pre-Mitigation			Mitigation	Post-Mitigation
Sub-System	Hazards	Probability	Severity	Risk Level	Mitigation	Probability	Severity	Risk Level
Human Factors	Ground support personnel fatigue and workload	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Ensure contractor compliance with rest and duty limitations (DOT and contract) for ground support personnel so as not to overextend (company and agencies are both responsible to monitor closely). Utilize additional crew members as necessary. Monitor number of aircraft being loaded and mitigate additional workload per loader.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Pilot fatigue	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	SEMGs work with vendor personnel to ensure adequate rest between shifts. Manage missions to be most effective for incident, with proper use of aircraft. Consider phase duty limitations as appropriate.	Unlikely	Moderate	Medium
	Pilot - poor decision making: multi-tasking, mission focus, sense of urgency, peer pressure	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Ensure that these items are addressed in the contract pre-work meeting and re-enforced in the daily air base briefings, post mission briefings or whenever the need is identified. All personnel involved in operations should recognize hazardous situations or behavior. Communicate issues or concerns. Recognize fatigue, hunger, illness or other issues that may be causing poor decision making and mitigate as needed.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
	Acceptance of high-risk missions and activities as normal	Likely	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Emphasize importance of situational awareness to recognizing risk. Consider providing risk management training for the pilot and crew. Re-address complacency and self-discipline in daily airbase briefings. Review risk management workbook and/or vendor SMS manual on a regular basis.	Possible	Critical	High
	Poor CRM with crew rotations; crew rotation may affect aircraft/equipment knowledge in-brief	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Make effort to ensure that contractor relief personnel arrive at base prior to relief cycle with sufficient overlap time to receive good in-brief from primary personnel.	Possible	Critical	High
	Single pilot workload may be considered to be excessive based on demands that he/she be able to operate several cockpit equipment items during mission performance (i.e., multi-tasking overload.)	Almost Certain	Critical	Extremely High	Complete thorough pre-flight planning. Minimize radio traffic. Follow sterile cockpit rules. Utilize aerial supervision if available to reduce cockpit workload. Utilize AFF. Allow time to program frequencies prior to launch. Conduct AARs, sand table and on ground CRM Exercises, incorporating operations personnel.	Possible	Critical	High
	Conflicting and/or difficult personalities	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	If individuals cannot professionally resolve differences, managers and supervisors must take immediate action. Brief/debrief, employ CRM, provide and receive honest and objective feedback, maintain positive attitude. Maintain professionalism and mission focus at all times.	Possible	Critical	High
Pilot Training and Experience	Lack of fire mission training and lack of proficiency flight time	Likely	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Vendors have instituted training programs such as CRM, risk management, and flight safety with the intent to standardize cockpit procedures. Develop training center for fire environment and make available for vendor use. Other training includes aircraft performance and limitations. Provide opportunities for new and experienced pilots to attend NAFA training.	Possible	Catastrophic	High
	High number of target fixation and tactical maneuvering errors	Likely	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Company training plans should address human factors including target fixation, situational awareness, task overload, and performance/tactical planning errors. Plan training simulations prior to and throughout fire season.	Possible	Critical	High
	Lack of training in firefighting strategy, tactics, terminology, basic ICS, frequency management, etc.	Likely	Critical	Extremely High	Establish training courses for pilots to meet basic level of firefighting knowledge for all contracts. Encourage contractors to take online basic wildland firefighting courses. Provide opportunities for attendance at NAFA. When available have a Level I pilot mentor a level II pilot.	Possible	Critical	High
	Inadequate flight experience	Possible	Catastrophic	Extremely High	Adhere to existing contract requirements requiring contractors to validate pilots' experience and training. SEMG must be familiar with the level of the pilot and their restrictions. Continue to provide opportunities for SEAT pilots to attend NAFA and other fire-specific aviation training. Develop, implement, and support a pilot mentoring program.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
Ground Support Training	Not all mixers, loaders and fuelers are adequately trained and qualified	Possible	Critical	High	Ensure that contractors provide adequate training to ground personnel on mixing of fire chemicals and fueling of aircraft prior to fire assignment. Provide training documentation to agency aviation managers during pre-work meetings.	Unlikely	Critical	Medium
New Technology	Lack of familiarity with technology, inability to utilize and operate equipment	Possible	Critical	High	Ensure all vendor personnel are trained in the function and operation of newer technology, equipment, and systems prior to implementation and utilization.	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).

Modified / Reviewed: April 25, 2024

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NWCG Latest Announcements

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN)

Date: August 27, 2024
Contact: I ncident Planning Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Status/Check-In Recorder, PMS 350-32, NWCG Position Task Book for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN), PMS 311-32, and Checking In Resources Customer Service Job Aid, J-111 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for SCKN includes the Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Book, and job aid were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Status/Check-In Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Status/Check-In Recorder, PMS 350-32

NWCG Position Task Book for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN), PMS 311-32

Checking In Resources Customer Service Job Aid, J-111

The Next Generation Position Task Book and Incident Position Standards are now available for Safety Officer, Field (SOFF)

Date: July 26, 2024
Contact: Risk Management Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Safety Officer, Field, PMS 350-81 and NWCG Position Task Book for Safety Officer, Field (SOFF), PMS 311-81 are now available.

The Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) is responsible for monitoring operations on an incident from a risk management perspective to provide for the welfare of incident resources and the public. The new Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort.

References:

NWCG Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) Position

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Safety Officer, Field, PMS 350-81

NWCG Position Task Book for Safety Officer, Field (SOFF), PMS 311-81

Updated NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277

Date: July 25, 2024
Contact: Incident Planning Subcommittee

The Incident Planning Subcommittee has updated the NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277.

The NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc) establishes the standards for collection and retention of records on wildland fires. This July 2024 update will provide incident management teams the most current standards required to maintain incident records and submit them to host units at the close of an incident.

References:

NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277

eDoc Box Directory (zip file)

NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle Typing Standard Request for Comment

Date: July 24, 2024
Contact: Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee

The Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee has released Equipment Bulletin 24-002 NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard - Request for Comment. This bulletin outlines the proposed NWCG OHV typing standard, as well as the business need for establishing the standard. Comments on the proposed standard will be accepted through August 15th using the comment form linked below.

References:

ETC-EB-2024-02: NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard - Request for Comment

NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard Comment Form

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

Personnel, Contractors

Single Engine Airtanker (SEAT)

SYSTEM: SEAT, Personnel (Contractors)

NWCG Latest Announcements

References:

References:

References:

References:

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

Personnel, Contractors

Single Engine Airtanker (SEAT)

SYSTEM: SEAT, Personnel (Contractors)

NWCG Latest Announcements

References:

References:

References:

References:

NWCG National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group