Skip to main content

PMS 512

CalFire (Northern)

  • Geographic Area:
    Source:
    CalFire
    FM Radio Programmable:
    Yes
    Make & Model:

    11 Bell 205 (UH-1H) Restricted Super Huey

    Notes:

    Cal Fire has helicopter bases throughout CA and is available for emergency use determined by location and need. Rescue is a priority, but the agency will not let the helicopter sit on standby on a fire for rescue/medivac only. The helicopter could be working on incident and have a delayed response.

    Ordering Procedure:

    911 dispatch centers should coordinate requests through appropriate CA GACC.
    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9 : North Ops Resources. They can be ordered through the normal ordering process Forest/ Units place to the GACC and GACC place with corresponding unit.
    6, and 8: Order through normal ordering process. Forest/units place to GACC, GACC will place to San Andres ECC.
    For Northern CA, contact ONC GACC (24 hour #): 530-226-2800. Southern CA, contact OSC GACC (24 hour #): 951-276-6725. Day missions only.

    Recovery Device or Method:
    Map Location:
    Bieber, CA; Kneeland, CA; Vina, CA; Howard Forest, CA; Boggs Mountain, CA; Columbia, CA; Alma, CA
    Map Location Number:
    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and Next Generation Position Task Book for Basic Faller Are Now Available

Date: April 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-19 are now available.

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212 includes position standards designed to be used in conjunction with the Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB). The Next Gen PTB for Basic Faller (FAL3) includes an evaluation guide with suggested rating elements to consider when assessing trainees.

References:

NWCG Standards For Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-119

NWCG Basic Faller (FAL3)

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions

Date: April 9, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
RMC Member Eric Fransted

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) serves as the position steward for all Safety Officer incident positions and continues to improve position standards, training, and naming conventions. The implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) required changes to position titles. RMC collaborated with the NWCG Incident Position Standards Committee (IPSC) to propose and implement these updates. 

References:

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions 

NWCG Position Catalog

Updated, NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination, PMS 412

Date: April 8, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee

PMS 412 provides guidance for wildland fire investigations. This guide outlines recommended procedures, practices, techniques, and methods to promote a systematic approach. The last update to this publication was in 2016.

References:

NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination PMS 412

Updated NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508

Date: March 31, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Airtanker Base Operations Unit

The updated NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations (SABO), PMS 508 standardizes operations and procedures at interagency airtanker bases to ensure safe, efficient, and effective operations in support of interagency goals and objectives.

References:

NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508