helitack
WRFF Helitack is a small group of experienced, qualified, and equipped rural fire fighters geared for rapid response to fires in areas where access by road is not possible or timely.
Helitack was established in 2005 and after many hours of additional and technical training became available for deployment in December 2006. Further enhancing their capabilities the Helitack crew are trained to rappel and deploy equipment from a hovering helicopter, enabling the crew to respond to locations with no suitable areas to land. Helitack became rappel qualified in December 2007.
The Helitack crew will assess the fire and determine the most appropriate actions. This could include carrying out initial attack with hand tools and/or air operations, clearing and managing heli-spots for bringing in additional resources, operating as ground support for helicopter operations, etc. The crew is equipped to remain self-sufficient for over 24 hours in the field.
Helitack/Rappel will:
- Carry out initial assessment of fire by air,
- Perform initial attack with ground crew and air operations when possible,
- Clear a remote heli-pad / heli-spot for additional crew and equipment to be brought in if required,
- Provide air operations support / supervision,
- Provide efficient hand over to controlling Fire Authority on their arrival / establishment at the fire.
Click here for the WRFF Helitack Rappel Brochure (363kB PDF).