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).

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

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