Tehachapi News
Helicopter pilots from Kern County Fire Department get recertified
Helicopter pilots from Kern County Fire Department get recertified
By: Nick Smirnoff
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Posted by editor Wed Nov 30, -0001 00:00:00 PST
Viewed 2309 times
0 responses 0 comments The annual recertification process for the Kern County Fire Department's helicopter pilots took place on April 26 at the helibase in Keene. Under the watchful eyes of inspectors from the California Division of Forestry, each of the three pilots, Chief Pilot Pat Williams, Pilot Scott Beck and civilian contract pilot Joe Koller performed a series of three drills. The inspectors were not only watching for proficiency, but also that all safety guidelines were being met.
The first drill consisted of long line flying, or flying a “sling load.” A 150-foot line is lowered from the hovering helicopter to the ground, where a fellow firefighter attaches a net loaded with supplies. In a real scenario, this loaded net would carry various lengths of hose line, hand tools and other supplies that fire fighter might need while working in a remote area of the county.
The second drill involved a hoist operation. From the hovering helicopter, a fellow crew member was lowered to the ground and brought back up again. This operation is performed under the watchful eyes of both the hoist operator and an on-board firefighter trained as a safety spotter for this kind of operation. The hoist operation simulates the lowering of a paramedic to an injured victim in an inaccessible area. The victim would be stabilized, placed in a litter basket and raised up to the helicopter for transportation to a hospital. It also is used to rescue stranded boaters or swimmers, rock climbers or body recovery.
The third operation up for review was deemed unnecessary; last year, the pilots of Helicopter 408 responded to 131 water drop calls, resulting in over 600,000 gallons of water being dispensed on various county wild land fires. The inspectors felt confident that the pilots are well versed in how to perform these types of operations in a safe and effective manner.
The Kern County Fire Department pilots were all recertified and deemed proficient and ready to protect and serve the citizens of Kern County.
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