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).

Modified / Reviewed: April 29, 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

Aircraft

Rappel Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Rappel, Aircraft

NWCG Latest Announcements

References:

References:

References:

References:

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

Aircraft

Rappel Risk Assessments

SYSTEM: Rappel, Aircraft

NWCG Latest Announcements

References:

References:

References:

References:

NWCG National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group