The HAI Aerial Firefighting and Natural Resources Committee held its Fall Meeting and Fire Safety Forum from Nov. 26-28 at the Grove Hotel in Boise, Idaho.

The sessions were well attended, with some 75 HAI members interested in the work of the committee, particularly regarding helicopter operations under contract to the federal government for wildland firefighting support.

Also in attendance were HAI President Matt Zuccaro, V.P. of Government Affairs Ann Carroll (Staff Liaison to the Committee), Director of Safety Stan Rose, Board Chairman Chris Erickson of Erickson Air-Crane, Inc., and Treasurer Gale Wilson of Hillcrest Aircraft Co. (Board Liaison to the Committee).

Committee Chair Keith White of Hillcrest Aircraft Co. brought the meeting to order. Presentations were then made by Dennis Pratte, manager of the FAA’s General Aviation/Commercial Division, on public operations conducted by commercial operators on contract to a government agency; and by Frank Gladics, former U.S. Senate senior staff member, on legislative issues relative to aerial firefighting.

Other agenda items included unmanned aviation vehicles, governmental economic crises, and wildfire aircraft operations.

The next meeting of the committee will be on March 5, at HELI-EXPO 2013 in Las Vegas.