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PMS 530-1

Equipment

Rappel Risk Assessments

Aircraft | Equipment | Operations



System:  Rappel, Equipment

Sub-System Hazards Pre-Mitigation Mitigation Post-Mitigation

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Common Factors Misuse/mistreatment

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Education, supervision for following equipment use standards. When in doubt about equipment's usage, retire it.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

Use of non-standard equipment

Possible

Critical

High

Maintain current equipment standards for rappel equipment, only utilize approved rappelling equipment, random peer inspections.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Improper inspections

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Education, supervision for following equipment inspection standards.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

Improper rigging

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Proper training.  Standardization. Maintain currency, proficiency, checks and balances. Place photos of correct model specific rigging on national rappel website.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

Inconsistent documentation

Possible

Critical

Extremely High

Education, supervision for following equipment documentation standards, random inspections.  Utilize rap records database.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Not following established procedures/policy

Possible

Critical

High

Peer monitoring, annual base reviews, accountability at all levels for compliance, follow-up of action items. Mandatory attendance of spotters to biennial rappel workshop or rappel academy.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Spotter Tether / Gunner Strap Improper adjustment

Possible

Critical

High

Initial set-up of gunner straps and spotter tethers for specific model aircraft, pre-mission check. Post photos of correct adjustments on national rappel website.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Research and Development Improper use of newly approved equipment or during testing phase

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Education, training, documentation, thorough field testing in multiple platforms and obtain feedback from field users. If one component of the system gets changed, the entire system needs to be re-evaluated.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

Cargo Delivery System No standard configuration

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

Identify and establish model specific configuration and procedures.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Use of unapproved containers

Possible

Moderate

Medium

Supervisors, managers ensure only approved containers are properly utilized. All approved equipment is posted on the NTDP website.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium

Improper cargo restraint straps/cargo compartment netting (internal only)

Possible

Critical

High

Establish minimum standard for cargo restraint straps and protective netting.

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:

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: Incident 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