Helitack is a firefighting technique that uses helicopters to deliver crews, supplies, and water directly to the source of a fire. Helicopter units can also provide support from the air, such as dumping water on the fire or mapping out remote areas. Helitack crews undergo rigorous training due to the unpredictable nature of fires.
Helitack refers to any firefighting technique that incorporates the use of helicopters. The term is a portmanteau of helicopter and attack, and was first printed in 1956 in a Los Angeles (LA) Times article. The state of California was the first to use helicopters to fight forest fires, with operations dating back to 1947. Today, helipad resources can be used to deliver crews, supplies or water directly to the source of a fire. While they are widely used to fight forest fires, they can also be used for other types of fire rescue operations.
In areas where a fire may be difficult to reach by land, helicopter units help deliver fire crews to the scene. If the helicopter is able to find a safe place to land, the crews can dismount. Otherwise, they may be forced to rappel from the helicopter to the ground. Helicopter units also bring supplies and equipment to these crews and help pick up injured firefighters and transport them to a suitable care facility.
Helitack crews can also provide a high level of support from the air. Some larger units may be fitted with buckets and tanks to dump water on the fire. Others take pictures of the blaze so firefighters can plan the best course of attack. These crews can also map out remote areas to spot potential fire danger before it becomes an emergency.
One major benefit of helicopter assets is that they allow crews to reach fires in remote or inaccessible areas. Roads may not be located near the fire, or crews may take too long to reach the fire from the ground. By fighting fire from the air, helicopter units allow crews to minimize damage and prevent a fire from spreading over a wider area. This helps minimize the chance of widespread destruction and also prevents fires from growing out of control or threatening urban areas.
Individuals wishing to join a helitack team must undergo rigorous training. Even with extensive training, this job is difficult and dangerous due to the unpredictable nature of fires. Crews must fly low over rough terrain, with trees and mountains often hampering safe takeoffs or landings. Changing wind conditions can also cause smoke or flames to change unexpected directions, which threaten both those in the air and on the ground.
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