Firefighting

Helicopter pilot commended for fire bucket rescue incident

Helicopter pilot commended for fire bucket rescue incident

13-Nov-2012Source: OPB

An Oregon helicopter pilot who rescued a firefighter from the Pole Creek Fire this summer says he feared for his job after the incident.  But a new Forest Service review commends both men for their quick thinking and decisive actions. (see full story)  File photo... Read more

Erickson Air-Crane announces 2012Q3 results

Erickson Air-Crane announces 2012Q3 results

8-Nov-2012Source: Erickson Air-Crane

Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated, a leading operator and the manufacturer of the powerful heavy-lift helicopter, the Erickson S-64 Aircrane, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012. Revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2012 increased by 29% versus the third quarter of 2011, rising to $76.3 million. This increase was... Read more

06-Nov-12 Port Macquarie, Australia

06-Nov-12 Port Macquarie, Australia

6-Nov-2012

A water-bombing helicopter has mistakenly sprayed partially treated sewage onto firefighters battling a blaze on the NSW mid-north coast.... Read more

Erickson Air-Crane announces date for 2012Q3 results

Erickson Air-Crane announces date for 2012Q3 results

29-Oct-2012Source: Erickson Air-Crane

Erickson Air-Crane, Inc, a leading operator and the manufacturer of the powerful heavy-lift helicopter, the Erickson S-64 Aircrane, today announced that it will release its earnings results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012 on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 after the market close. Udo Rieder, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and Chuck... Read more

Aero Dynamix delivers first aircraft to LAFD

Aero Dynamix delivers first aircraft to LAFD

18-Oct-2012Source: Aero Dynamix

Aero Dynamix added the AgustaWestland AW139 to its STC portfolio of NVG cockpits. With this addition, the Aero Dynamix portfolio now includes 26 multi-ship STCs on 36 different aircraft model types. Aero Dynamix first STC AW139 was delivered to the Los Angeles Fire Department and is the first of three LAFD AW139s to receive the... Read more

European Helicopter Show 2013 dates announced

European Helicopter Show 2013 dates announced

12-Oct-2012Source: European Helicopter Show

The dates are now confirmed for European Helicopter Show 2013. The event will take place at Hradec Králové in Czech Republic during 9th – 11th of May 2013. This new helicopter event in Czech Republic, 9th -11th May 2013, is already attracting a positive reaction within the helicopter industry, with major manufacturers including Bell Europe... Read more

Santa Barbara County Supervisor defends aviation unit

Santa Barbara County Supervisor defends aviation unit

12-Oct-2012Source: KEYT

Santa Barbara County Supervisor Janet Wolf is standing by the newly combined Aviation Unit despite some critics who say crews from the fire and sheriff’s department’s are not working well together. (see full story)... Read more

Erickson Air-Crane names new General Manager

Erickson Air-Crane names new General Manager

11-Oct-2012Source: HeliHub.com

Erickson Air-Crane has this week named long-time employee Kerry Jarandson as the new General Manager of its operations at Central Point, Oregon.  Jarandson has been a senior director of plant operations and takes on his new role following the resignation of David Ford, vP of maintenance, repair and overhaul for the past two years. Jarandson... Read more

Register now for HAI Firefighting Safety Forum & Interagency Briefing

Register now for HAI Firefighting Safety Forum & Interagency Briefing

11-Oct-2012Source: HAI

The annual fall HAI Aerial Firefighting and Natural Resources Committee will meet November 26-28 at the Grove Hotel in Boise, Idaho. HAI President Matt Zuccaro will host the annual Firefighting Safety Forum on November 27 with participation from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The U.S. Forest Service, Department of... Read more

Texas – Travis County to acquire UH-1H for fighting fires

Texas – Travis County to acquire UH-1H for fighting fires

10-Oct-2012Source: My Fox Austin

Travis County Commissioners approved a $2.4 million fire-fighting helicopter as part of its 2013 budget on Tuesday. Travis County Emergency Services has long requested the funds for an aircraft dedicated to fight fires. (see full story) File photo... Read more

Erickson Air-Crane buys Sun Bird aircraft from San Diego Gas & Electric

Erickson Air-Crane buys Sun Bird aircraft from San Diego Gas & Electric

7-Oct-2012Source: Erickson Air-Crane

Erickson Air-Crane, a leading operator and the manufacturer of the powerful heavy-lift helicopter, the Erickson S-64 Aircrane, today announced its purchase of the Sun Bird Aircraft (“Sun Bird”) and associated spare parts inventory and accessories from San Diego Gas & Electric Company (“SDG&E”). The Sun Bird is an Erickson model S-64F Aircrane that was originally... Read more

07-Oct-12 N1577 Bell UH-1H Medford, US-Oregon

07-Oct-12 N1577 Bell UH-1H Medford, US-Oregon

7-Oct-2012

Emergency landing by fire-fighting helicopter.  Pilot Cody Seeger (only person on board) not injured.  The helicopter landed on its side in a forested hillside – trees surrounding the crash site may have softened the impact... Read more

Draganflyer ‘ES’ unmanned helicopter assists Fire and Police services

Draganflyer ‘ES’ unmanned helicopter assists Fire and Police services

30-Sep-2012Source: Draganflyer

The Draganflyer ES (Emergency Services) unmanned aircraft line provides two models, a six rotor Draganflyer X6-ES helicopter and a new larger version with four rotors, the Draganflyer X4-ES helicopter. The X6-ES and X4-ES are models exclusively sold to Public Safety Agencies. Used to obtain video from an aerial vantage point, these unmanned aircraft feature a digital wireless video... Read more

Travis County to purchase firefighting UH-1H

Travis County to purchase firefighting UH-1H

30-Sep-2012Source: HeliHub.com

Travis County in Texas has announced it will buy a military-surplus Bell UH-1H primarily for fighting wildfires.  The helicopter will undergo a full refurbishment and fit-out as soon as the purchase order is signed.  It would be expected to become operational in 3-6 months thereafter. The County already operates three EC145s for air ambulance and... Read more

Simplex STC allows fire helicopter to transport passengers

Simplex STC allows fire helicopter to transport passengers

19-Sep-2012Source: Simplex Aerospace

Simplex Aerospace has received FAA STC for a hover refill pump storage latching system, called the Aft Hook™. The Aft Hook™ allows firefighting helicopter operators to store the 5″ hover pump during flight and deploy the pump upon arrival at a water fill source. When installed on a Simplex Fire Attack system equipped helicopter, the... Read more

SDG&E Renews Air-Crane Support For Regional Firefighters

SDG&E Renews Air-Crane Support For Regional Firefighters

6-Sep-2012Source: SDG&E

San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) today announced it has renewed agreements with the County and City of San Diego and firefighting agencies to continue to make a heavy-lift air-crane available to support fire suppression efforts this fire season. An Erickson Air-Crane helitanker, the “Sun Bird,” was used by SDG&E during construction of the Sunrise... Read more

03-Sep-12 CS-HMO Kamov Ka32A Ourém, Portugal

03-Sep-12 CS-HMO Kamov Ka32A Ourém, Portugal

3-Sep-2012

Piloted by Commander Paulo Loureiro and the co-pilot Diogo Cabral – and involved in firefighting when it crashed.... Read more

Introducing the new Night Vision Advisory Council

Introducing the new Night Vision Advisory Council

28-Aug-2012Source: NVAC

On Wednesday August 8th, 2012, in response to an open invitation to industry, a group of Night Vision Goggle (NVG) industry professionals convened in Dallas, Texas. Hosted by FlightSafety International, the purpose of the meeting was to develop a council of NVG subject matter experts to provide recommendations on safety, education, standardization, and other issues... Read more

US Forest Service to resume night firefighting in SoCal in 2013

US Forest Service to resume night firefighting in SoCal in 2013

17-Aug-2012Source: US Forest Service

Beginning next year the U.S. Forest Service will contract a helicopter capable of fighting wildfire at night in a move to strengthen the agency’s capability to suppress fires and better protect firefighters and communities in Southern California. “We have made this important decision very carefully,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell.  “We have studied night... Read more

Erickson Air-Crane announces 2012 Q2 results

Erickson Air-Crane announces 2012 Q2 results

13-Aug-2012Source: Erickson Air-Crane

Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (“Erickson Air-Crane” or the “Company”), a leading operator and the manufacturer of the powerful heavy-lift helicopter, the Erickson S-64 Aircrane, today announced its financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2012. Second Quarter 2012 Highlights and Recent Events Revenue of $37.9 million exceeded guidance of $32 million... Read more

11-Aug-12 EC-KTU Eurocopter AS350B3 Guils de Certanya, Spain

11-Aug-12 EC-KTU Eurocopter AS350B3 Guils de Certanya, Spain

11-Aug-2012

While firefighting, refilling hose struck trees and then swung up into main rotors and the tail boom.  Extensively damaged.... Read more

09-Aug-12 RA-31596 Kamov Ka32 Koycegiz, Turkey (5F)

09-Aug-12 RA-31596 Kamov Ka32 Koycegiz, Turkey (5F)

9-Aug-2012

Firefighting helicopter impacted terrain, killing 5 including three Russian citizens named as Alexander Gavrilov, Nikolai Atepalikhin and Sergey Khorokhorin... Read more

Unmanned drone identifies precise positioning of fire ignition source

Unmanned drone identifies precise positioning of fire ignition source

7-Aug-2012Source: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Recently, a fire drill was performed by researchers at Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIA), simulating fire scenes in high-rise buildings and around the city. During the exercise, the rotorcraft flying robot system for fire scene monitoring and emergency treatment developed by SIA realized precise positioning of ignition source and fire scene... Read more

Erickson Air-Crane announces Q2 conference call

Erickson Air-Crane announces Q2 conference call

2-Aug-2012Source: Erickson Air-Crane

Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated  (“Erickson Air-Crane” or the “Company”), a leading operator and the manufacturer of the powerful heavy-lift helicopter, the Erickson S-64 Aircrane, today announced it will conduct a conference call at 1:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, August 8, 2012, to discuss its financial results for the second quarter and first half fiscal year 2012... Read more

Tokyo Fire Department orders second EC225

Tokyo Fire Department orders second EC225

17-Jul-2012Source: Eurocopter

The Tokyo Fire Department has signed on another EC225 this month, adding to its Eurocopter fleet of fire-fighting, emergency medical services as well as search & rescue helicopters. This affirms Eurocopter’s leading position in Japan as the preferred choice for such missions, and proves its capability in meeting high expectations. Following the purchase of an... Read more

Two more firefighting AW139s for Japan

Two more firefighting AW139s for Japan

10-Jul-2012Source: AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace are pleased to announce that two additional AW139 intermediate twin helicopters have been ordered in Japan to perform fire fighting missions. Contracts have been signed by the Fire Disaster Management Agency (FDMA) and Yokohama City respectively. These latest orders bring to five the number of fire fighting-configured... Read more

Two firefighting helicopters crash in Spain

Two firefighting helicopters crash in Spain

3-Jul-2012Source: HeliHub.com

A Bell 412 and a PZL Sokol crashed yesterday in Spain in separate incidents.  Both were firefighting.  The sole-occupant pilot in the Bell 412 was sadly killed, while both crew in the Sokol survived with injuries.  Both helicopters were operated by INAER. We will track updates in the two incidents in our accident pages.  HeliHub.com... Read more

03-Jul-12 N499DF Bell UH-1H Willits, US-California

03-Jul-12 N499DF Bell UH-1H Willits, US-California

3-Jul-2012

Cal Fire helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing.  No injuries, minor damage... Read more

02-Jul-12 EC-KSJ Bell 412 Yátova, Spain (1F)

02-Jul-12 EC-KSJ Bell 412 Yátova, Spain (1F)

2-Jul-2012

First of two accidents fighting the same fire in Spain.  Pilot killed.... Read more

02-Jul-12 EC-JUN PZL Sokol Sierra Martes, Spain

02-Jul-12 EC-JUN PZL Sokol Sierra Martes, Spain

2-Jul-2012

Crashed 30 minutes after the Bell 412 firefighting accident.  One report states loss of tail rotor on approach to site at altitude of 20m.  Both occupants (aged 55 and 36) injured... Read more

01-Jul-12 I-LASB Eurocopter AS350B3 Granmichele, Italy

01-Jul-12 I-LASB Eurocopter AS350B3 Granmichele, Italy

1-Jul-2012

Force landing due to a technical issue on positioning flight back to base after firefighting... Read more

AHSAFA praises Congress for funding aerial firefighting fleet modernization

AHSAFA praises Congress for funding aerial firefighting fleet modernization

28-Jun-2012Source: AHSAFA

The American Helicopter Services and Aerial Firefighting Association (AHSAFA) congratulate Congress for its passage of legislation authorizing the US Forest Service (USFS) to make multi-year, operational funding available to private operators for fleet modernization of large air tankers engaged in wildland fire suppression. The Bill, S 3261, “Contract Awards For Large Air Tankers,” was signed... Read more

Olaeris unveils VTOL UAS for Fire, Police and Rescue Agencies

Olaeris unveils VTOL UAS for Fire, Police and Rescue Agencies

26-Jun-2012Source: Olaeris

Olaeris, Inc. today unveiled a new VTOL Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) named AEVA™ that has been specifically developed for domestic emergency responders including fire, police and rescue workers. It is designed to be a first response aerial vehicle that arrives at 911 emergencies before ground personnel to enhance safety and multiply manpower. Unlike drones, AEVA™ uses robotic intelligence to... Read more

US Forest Service adds four heavy helicopters to support wildfire suppression

US Forest Service adds four heavy helicopters to support wildfire suppression

25-Jun-2012Source: US Forest Service

U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell today announced the agency is adding four heavy helicopters to the aviation firefighting fleet. “The addition of these helicopters to our aviation fleet will increase our ability to respond quickly and aggressively to fight wildfires and protect lives and property,” said Tidwell. “We will continue to mobilize our firefighting... Read more

Austin Police request funds for a Eurocopter AS350B3

Austin Police request funds for a Eurocopter AS350B3

22-Jun-2012Source: HeliHub.com

Austin Police Department have put a funds request in to the City Council for $3,745,000 to buy a new Eurocopter AS350B3 – and the request will be heard at their scheduled meeting on 28th June at Austin City Hall.  The paperwork submitted indicates that this is ostensibly to replace their 1969-vintage Bell OH-58A. There is... Read more

Erickson Air-Crane wins US Forest Service contract

Erickson Air-Crane wins US Forest Service contract

20-Jun-2012Source: Erickson Air-Crane

Erickson Air-Crane, a leading operator and the manufacturer of the powerful heavy-lift helicopter, the Erickson S-64 Aircrane, today announced that it has been awarded a new exclusive use firefighting services contract with the US Forest Service (“USFS”). Under the terms of the contract, Erickson Air-Crane will provide aerial firefighting services using one heavy-lift Aircrane helicopter... Read more

15-Jun-12 I-PATI Eurocopter SA315B Illorai, Italy

15-Jun-12 I-PATI Eurocopter SA315B Illorai, Italy

15-Jun-2012

Crashed on firefighting ops while filling up the water bucket... Read more

15-Jun-12 I-PATI Eurocopter SA315B Illorai, Italy

15-Jun-12 I-PATI Eurocopter SA315B Illorai, Italy

15-Jun-2012

Overturned while loading water from a stream during firefighting operations. Aircraft destroyed    ... Read more

New York Army National Guard tests ‘firehawk’ helicopter

New York Army National Guard tests ‘firehawk’ helicopter

5-Jun-2012Source: US Army

A New York Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter will be testing the National Guard’s Firehawk helicopter firefighting system on the Mohawk River between the Thaddeus Kosciusko Bridge (Twin Bridges) on I-87 and the Route 9 Crescent Bridge tomorrow morning (Tuesday, June 5) in Crescent, Saratoga County. The Firehawk system consists of a 1,000-gallon... Read more

Erickson Air-Crane wins $44M Greek firefighting contract

Erickson Air-Crane wins $44M Greek firefighting contract

30-May-2012Source: Erickson Air-Crane

Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated, a leading operator and the manufacturer of the powerful heavy-lift helicopter, the Erickson S-64 Aircrane, today announced that the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (“NAMSA”), which provides various logistics services for NATO nations, has, as the prime contracting party, awarded the Company a three year contract to supply aerial firefighting services in... Read more

New Simplex STC for AW139 – more capacity and approved at 150 knots

New Simplex STC for AW139 – more capacity and approved at 150 knots

16-May-2012Source: Simplex

Simplex received FAA STC approval for several enhancements to their Fire Attack system for the AgustaWestland AW139. The new system, STC number SR02351LA, was issued on April 23th, 2012, and is the result of a partnership with AgustaWestland to take advantage of the AW139 flight speed and increased payload capacity. The enhanced AW139 Fire Attack... Read more

Orange County Fire Authority selects Night Flight Training

Orange County Fire Authority selects Night Flight Training

16-May-2012Source: Night Flight Concepts

Leading night vision imaging system (NVIS) solution provider Night Flight Concepts is pleased to announce the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) has contracted to use NVIOâ„¢ Night Vision Goggle (NVG) Computer-Based Training (CBT) for Initial and Recurrent training of flight crews to ensure readiness in night operations. “The use of night vision goggles has really... Read more

3rd MAW showcases helicopter firefighting capabilities

3rd MAW showcases helicopter firefighting capabilities

14-May-2012Source: US Marine Corps

Third Marine Aircraft Wing Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., participated in a Wildland Firefighting Exercise at Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 10. The exercise was presented in the form of a demonstration to local military and fire departments as to what 3rd MAW, military assets, and local fire departments bring to the fight.... Read more

Erickson Air-Crane reports Q1 results

Erickson Air-Crane reports Q1 results

14-May-2012Source: Erickson Air-Crane

Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (NASDAQ: EAC) (“Erickson Air-Crane” or the “Company”), a leading operator and the manufacturer of the powerful heavy-lift helicopter, the Erickson S-64 Aircrane, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012. The Company completed its initial public offering (“IPO”) in April, 2012. First Quarter 2012 Highlights and Recent... Read more

Rogers Helicopters diversifies into gas and electric utility industry

Rogers Helicopters diversifies into gas and electric utility industry

7-May-2012Source: Rogers Helicopters

Rogers Helicopters, one of the country’s leading aerial firefighting specialists, is now emerging as a major provider of services to the gas and electric utility industry which relies increasingly on helicopters for power line installations and other construction projects. “Although we are still committed to firefighting, we decided to pursue the utility and construction markets... Read more

Simplex signs agreement with Chinese business partner

Simplex signs agreement with Chinese business partner

3-May-2012

Simplex Aerospace has announced an agreement with Shanghai-Sino-US Intercontinental Helicopter Investment Company to promote Simplex products throughout China.  This agreement will allow Simplex to better serve Chinese operators and expand their distribution of systems for firefighting and utilities maintenance. Simplex Aerospace has been actively selling their products in China for the past two years. In... Read more

Erickson Air-Crane announces Q1 conference call

Erickson Air-Crane announces Q1 conference call

2-May-2012Source: Erickson Air-Crane

Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (NASDAQ:EAC) (“Erickson Air-Crane” or the “Company”), a leading operator and manufacturer of the powerful heavy-lift helicopter, the Erickson S-64 Aircrane, today announced it will conduct a conference call at 1:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 10, 2012, to discuss its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012. Hosting the... Read more

US Forest Service Chief discusses role of helicopters in fire mitigation

US Forest Service Chief discusses role of helicopters in fire mitigation

19-Apr-2012Source: HAI

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee held a hearing April 18th to discuss the U.S. Forest Service’s budget. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell testified on behalf of his department, with the focus of the hearing being on the forest fire season. When asked by Sen. John Tester (D-Mont.) on how the agency will fight fires in the... Read more

Japan approves Simplex Fire Attack system for AW139

Japan approves Simplex Fire Attack system for AW139

11-Apr-2012Source: Simplex Aerospace

Simplex Aerospace has received a Japanese STC for its Fire Attack system on an AgustaWestland AW139. The STC, No. STC-380-TYO, was issued on March 12, 2012. The STC will be used to install the new Simplex Aerospace Fire Attack system on three firefighting helicopters in Japan. The Simplex Aerospace tanks are the first Japanese installations... Read more

31-Mar-12 Boeing CH-47 San Martino, Italy

31-Mar-12 Boeing CH-47 San Martino, Italy

31-Mar-2012

Emergency landing while firefighting, possibly due to broken hydraulic lines... Read more

Canada’s TSB highlights helmets again in Bell 212 accident report

Canada’s TSB highlights helmets again in Bell 212 accident report

20-Mar-2012Source: TSB

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its final investigation report (A11W0070) into the loss of control and collision with the water involving a helicopter operated by Campbell Helicopters Ltd. that occurred on Lesser Slave Lake, Alberta, on 20 May 2011. The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the helicopter, died in the crash. Mid–afternoon on the 20 of May... Read more

Simplex buys rights to Blackhawk Firehawkâ„¢ Fire Attackâ„¢ System

Simplex buys rights to Blackhawk Firehawkâ„¢ Fire Attackâ„¢ System

20-Mar-2012Source: Simplex

Simplex Aerospace announced today that it has purchased the intellectual property and rights to manufacture, the Fire Attackâ„¢ (Fire Attack is a registered trade mark of Simplex Aerospace) system for the Sikorsky Blackhawk Helicopter. The rights were purchased from Aero Union of Sacramento, California. The new Simplex Aerospace Fire Attack â„¢ system, called the Firehawkâ„¢,... Read more

Chicago Fire and Police Depts order Vislink surveillance technology

Chicago Fire and Police Depts order Vislink surveillance technology

22-Feb-2012Source: Vislink

Vislink has won a major order from Motorola Solutions, Inc. to fulfill Motorola’s contract with the City of Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) to equip Chicago Fire and Police Department helicopters with airborne surveillance technology in advance of the city’s hosting of the Group of Eight (G8) and NATO Summits in May... Read more

US Forest Service still undecided on nighttime firefighting

US Forest Service still undecided on nighttime firefighting

21-Feb-2012Source: KPCC

Firefighters in Southern California are still waiting to find out whether the U.S. Forest Service will help them battle flames from the air, after dark.  The ban went into effect after a 1977 helicopter crash. Critics say the lack of Forest Service air support during the 2009 Station Fire allowed it to get out of... Read more

NAFC renews AFAMS contract with TracPlus Global

NAFC renews AFAMS contract with TracPlus Global

10-Feb-2012Source: TracPlus Global

TracPlus Global is proud to announce that theNational Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) of Australia has renewed their AFAMS data integration contract with TracPlus Global. The contract, first issued in 2010,   saw the establishment of the Australian Fire Aircraft Monitoring System (AFAMS) which intregrates tracking data from all contracted firefighting aircraft and deliveres it in... Read more

TracPlus now supports Absolute Fire Solutions FAST Trac data units

TracPlus now supports Absolute Fire Solutions FAST Trac data units

9-Feb-2012Source: TracPlus Global

Absolute Fire Solutions and TracPlus Global are pleased to announce support for AFS FAST Trac data-logging units within TracPlus’s tracking service.  This development allows crucial airborne fire fighting event information to be integrated and presented within a single common operating picture provided by TracPlus. As part of the Australian Fire Aircraft Monitoring System (AFAMS), Australian... Read more

Absolute Fire announces sale of Fast Bucket product line

Absolute Fire announces sale of Fast Bucket product line

7-Feb-2012Source: Absolute Fire Solutions

Absolute Fire Solutions (AFS), is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement to sell the Fast Bucket product line. The sale, which closes March 01 2012, will see the buyer offer and support the complete Fast Bucket product line, including the Fast Fill, Fast Foam and the Fast Cockpit Controller accessories, immediately following... Read more

Aerial firefighters gear up for 2012 wildland fire season

Aerial firefighters gear up for 2012 wildland fire season

5-Feb-2012Source: AHSAFA

“With near record lows in rainfall, combined with record high temperatures in much of California in December–plus ongoing dry conditions throughout much of the Southwest–the aerial firefighters are preparing for an earlier than normal deployment of assets, given the prevailing high fire dangers, especially in those parts of the country,” said Tom Eversole, Executive Director... Read more

Tangent Link to hold High-Rise Aerial Firefighting conference as part of Dubai Helishow

Tangent Link to hold High-Rise Aerial Firefighting conference as part of Dubai Helishow

8-Jan-2012Source: Tangent Link

As metropolitan populations increase, the trend is for city architects to design taller buildings – office, hotel and apartments to accommodate this increase, such as examples in Hong Kong, New York, Singapore, Dubai and London.  Fire regulations are already strict but should a fire occur in a high-rise or mega building it could be disastrous... Read more

Geneva Aviation wins STC approval for Absolute Fire Solutions FAST Trac

Geneva Aviation wins STC approval for Absolute Fire Solutions FAST Trac

6-Jan-2012Source: DART Helicopter Services

DART Helicopter Services is pleased to announce that Geneva Aviation has secured Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for FAST Trac, which collects performance data from analog aircraft systems and legacy operations equipment. The FAST Trac kit, which includes both the Master Control Box (MCB) and the Remote Tap Units... Read more

Tokyo Fire Department orders second EC225

Tokyo Fire Department orders second EC225

23-Dec-2011Source: Eurocopter

The Tokyo Fire Department has ordered a second EC225 helicopter to further expand its Eurocopter-built rotary-wing fleet, which already has seen significant operational service in Japan – including rescue and recovery efforts following the country’s earthquake and tsunami in March. This latest order was placed after an open competition, and will lead to delivery of... Read more

Kamtata Fire Dept to put fire service helicopter proposal to State

Kamtata Fire Dept to put fire service helicopter proposal to State

20-Dec-2011Source: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/fire-department-seeks-chopper-for-emergencies/212023-60-119.html

The State Fire and Emergency Department will soon send a proposal to the state government requesting for a helicopter, exclusively during times of major fire disasters. (see full story)... Read more

Erickson Air-Crane amends stock offering

Erickson Air-Crane amends stock offering

7-Dec-2011Source: Mail Tribune

Erickson Air-Crane put its best foot forward Monday, reaffirming its initial public offering efforts more than 18 months after saying it hoped to raise $75 million from investors. (see full story)... Read more

Shanghai targets city fleet of 15 helicopters by 2020

Shanghai targets city fleet of 15 helicopters by 2020

29-Nov-2011Source: East Day

From a current fleet of four, a total of 15 helicopters will be in place by 2020, said the Aviation Force of the Shanghai police yesterday. The next new helicopter should be a firefighting Ka32 for delivery in 2012 (see full story).  The current fleet includes two EC135s and the EC155 photo’d here for the... Read more

Victoria Government angers residents by reducing aerial fire cover

Victoria Government angers residents by reducing aerial fire cover

17-Nov-2011Source: Herald Sun

Victoria State Government will save $3 million by dumping a giant firefighting helicopter in a move the firefighters’ union slammed as the most irresponsible decision in two decades.  (see full story)... Read more

HAI 2011 Annual Fire Safety Forum

HAI 2011 Annual Fire Safety Forum

16-Nov-2011Source: HAI

HAI hosted the 2011 Annual Fire Safety Forum in Boise, Idaho this week. HAI President Matt Zuccaro, opened the forum with a presentation to more than 100 attendees on the status of safety challenges in the industry. Stan Rose, HAI’s director of Safety, presented an overview of HAI accreditation, while Terry Palmer of FlightSafety International... Read more

LAFD Chief Pilot dies at 54

LAFD Chief Pilot dies at 54

10-Nov-2011Source: Los Angeles Fire Dept

Glenn Victor Smith was only 54 years old when he lost his courageous battle with cancer. He will be remembered first and foremost for being a loving husband, father, brother, and grandfather to his family. To everyone else that was fortunate enough to have known Glenn personally or worked around him, he was many things.... Read more

Timken trains up Cal Fire fleet mechanics

Timken trains up Cal Fire fleet mechanics

31-Oct-2011Source: Timken

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) recently counted on The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR) to provide its fleet mechanics with training to keep the department’s firefighting helicopters ready to perform in high-heat situations. This preventative training is critical to CAL FIRE, which responds to an average of 5,600 wildfires and as many... Read more

Italy’s Trento region adds two firefighting AW139s

Italy’s Trento region adds two firefighting AW139s

31-Oct-2011Source: HeliHub.com

The blog run by enthusiast Damiano Gualdoni reports that the Italian firefighting organisation Vigili del Fuoco took delivery of one of a pair of AW139s on Friday.  Registered I-TNCC and I-TNDD are new production aircraft, serials 31369 and 31374 respectively.  It is not clear at this time whether they add to the existing pair of... Read more

China chooses Ka32 for firefighting

China chooses Ka32 for firefighting

25-Oct-2011Source: HeliHub.com

Russian Helicopters has signed an agreement wiht the Public Security organisation of Ordos (China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region) to supply a Ka-32A11BC in the fire-fighting role.  Each will be fitted with a Simplex fire attack system (either model 328 or 348), a horizontal water gun and VSU-9 bucket carrying up to 5 tonnes of water. ... Read more

Sponsorship opportunities at HAI Firefighting Meeting

Sponsorship opportunities at HAI Firefighting Meeting

25-Oct-2011Source: HAI

Mark your calendars and make plans to attend the HAI Government Contracting Committee meeting and HAI Helicopter Firefighting Safety Forum in Boise, Idaho on Nov. 14, 15 & 16. Meetings will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn Boise Spectrum. Attendees should contact the hotel directly to make a room reservation. The HAI Government Contracting... Read more

Western Australia fire authority issues six year contract

Western Australia fire authority issues six year contract

10-Oct-2011

The Fire and Emergency Services Authority will get a state-of-the-art $4 million aerial command and control helicopter with the latest technology to battle the upcoming fire season.  Heliwest are the chosen supplier with a Bo105.  (Full story)... Read more

HAI to host 3-day firefighting meeting in Idaho

HAI to host 3-day firefighting meeting in Idaho

9-Oct-2011Source: HAI

Mark your calendars and make plans to attend the HAI Government Contracting Committee meeting and HAI Helicopter Firefighting Safety Forum in Boise, Idaho on Nov. 14, 15 & 16. Meetings will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn Boise Spectrum. Attendees should contact the hotel directly to make a room reservation. The HAI Government Contracting... Read more

Public Security Bureau of Ordos orders two GrandNew

Public Security Bureau of Ordos orders two GrandNew

16-Sep-2011Source: AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Public Security Bureau of Ordos, in China’s Inner Mongolia, has ordered two GrandNew twin-engine helicopters. The two helicopters will be used to perform fire fighting, rescue, observation, transport and civil protection duties. The GrandNew was selected, following a tender process and a comprehensive evaluation of... Read more

NVG Cockpit Lighting Conformity Training for LA County Fire Dept

NVG Cockpit Lighting Conformity Training for LA County Fire Dept

8-Sep-2011Source: Night Flight Concepts

Night Flight Concepts, a leading provider of night vision solutions, announced today that the Los Angeles County Fire Department Air Operations Section has successfully completed certification training of the Night Vision Goggle (NVG) Lighting Conformity Test Kit. Los Angeles Country Fire is now equipped and trained to monitor night vision imaging system (NVIS) lighting airworthiness... Read more

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