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Emergencies on the Ramp

 

An emergency on the ramp can occur at any time. Having a plan and maintaining situational awareness can allow staff to take quick and effective action and can slow the acceleration of an accident.

Discuss potential emergency situations that can occur at a fixed-wing base and how to handle them.

  • Does your base have a security plan?
    • How often is the plan reviewed?
    • Discuss some of the roles of staff and possible situations that could affect the security at your base.
  • Does your base have a safety plan? Discuss all current locations of:
    • First aid kits.
    • Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
    • Fire extinguishers.
    • Emergency eyewash and showers.
    • Blood-borne pathogens kits.
    • Any other safety equipment available at your base.
  • Is there an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), First Responder, or someone trained in First Aid/CPR on duty daily?
    • Aircraft.
    • Vehicle/fuel truck.
    • Pumping equipment.
    • Building.
  • Is there anyone at your base with a serious allergy issue or negative reaction to insect sting?
    • Is there a possibility for venomous snakes on the grounds?
  • What are the procedures for something entering your operational area?
    • A possibility of an unauthorized vehicle/aircraft?
    • Large animals?
  • How long has it been since ramp personnel had fire extinguisher training?
  • What is the base protocol for dealing with any type of fire within your ramp area?
    • Aircraft.
    • Vehicle/fuel truck.
    • Pumping equipment.
    • Building.
Category
Aviation
References
NWCG Airtanker Base Directory, PMS 507
NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508


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NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters

Date: January 15, 2025
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters. Non-specification fire shelters claiming to meet Forest Service (FS) fire shelter specification 5100-606 were first found in February of 2023. As of September 2024, non-specification shelters are again being advertised and sold on the open market.

This Safety Warning outlines details and recommended procedures to purchase FS specification shelters made with materials and components that meet performance criteria and toxicity testing requirements outlined in FS Specification 5100-606. 

For additional information on identifying non-specification shelters, please view ETC Safety Warning 23-01.

References:

ETC Safety Warning 25-001: Non-specification fire shelters

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee

ETC Safety Warning 23-01

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Awards

Date: January 14, 2025
Contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee has awarded the 2023 Paul Gleason “Lead By Example” awards to individuals in the categories of Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, and Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Sam Bowen, Superintendent of the Mark Twain Veteran Crew with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Greg Titus, Zone Fire Management Officer for the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  • Renae Crippen, Manager of the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Eric Carlson, Instructor with OMNA International.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Interview with Paul Gleason

Updated NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Water Scooper Operations Unit

The NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating water scooping aircraft on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, and any local, state, or geographic/regional water scooping plans.

References:

NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Updated NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee

The Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee has updated the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505. PMS 505 establishes standards for aerial supervision operations for national interagency wildland fire operations. 

References:

NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505