In recognition of the many operations entailed in aerial work, HAI has renamed its Aerial Firefighting Safety Conference the HAI Aerial Work Safety Conference, which will be held Nov. 16–17, 2022, in Boise, Idaho. The event’s focus changes as well. All the firefighting sessions remain, but this year, the program will expand to include utility and restricted-category aircraft operations, too.

A Columbia Helicopters CH-47D lifts away from a fire retardant batch plant, preparing to deploy the long-term retardant on the Dixie Fire outside of Chester, California, on Aug. 5, 2021. (HAI/Michael Piper Photo)

“Last year’s firefighting safety conference was very well attended and represented the largest of its kind to date,” says Zac Noble, HAI’s director of flight operations and maintenance. “But because so much of the event’s safety information is valuable to far more than just firefighting operations, we saw an opportunity to make this important conference better by combining our Utilities, Patrol, and Construction Working Group’s safety event and the firefighting safety conference.”

The conference will take place at Boise Centre West, Boise’s large and modern convention center, conveniently located downtown within walking distance of hotels and restaurants.

Day 1, Nov. 16, of the conference will feature safety and informational sessions as well as breakout sessions for the utilities, restricted-category aircraft, and aerial firefighting sectors.

Day 2, Nov. 17, will include safety sessions, including agency updates from the US Department of the Interior, the FAA, and the US Forest Service. The afternoon will also offer courses in which attendees can earn FAA WINGS credit.

Registration for the HAI Aerial Work Safety Conference is $50 for HAI members and $150 for nonmembers registering by Oct. 3. After Oct. 3, the rates increase to $100 for members and $200 for nonmembers. Registration includes breakfast, lunch, and break refreshments both days of the conference.