Multi-Mission Prowess
While its primary mission remains wildland fire suppression, FireFlight’s capabilities extend far beyond. The program was intentionally designed as a “Swiss Army knife” emergency response, adaptable to a wide array of critical incidents.
At the core of FireFlight’s operations is its ability to combat wildfires, especially those in remote and difficult-to-reach areas. Equipped with a 210-gallon “Bambi Bucket” and SEI Industries 20-gallon foam-injection unit, and utilizing EnforcerOne Firebull A/B foam concentrate that provides the equivalent firefighting power of 10 water buckets, the helicopter can drop over 200 gallons of water or foam mixture on fires. FireFlight pilots are highly trained wildland firefighters themselves,
possessing in-depth knowledge of fire behavior and local fuel types. They are often the first on scene and take the initiative to attack small fires before they escalate into uncontrollable blazes. This proactive approach, including daily reconnaissance flights during fire season, has been instrumental in preventing countless large-scale wildfires.
Through mutual aid agreements, the FireFlight helicopter also provides initial attack on wildfire incidents throughout large areas of neighboring counties, making it a quick-response regional asset.
The practice of preemptive
“reconnaissance flights” during certain conditions and times of the year is what sets FireFlight apart from most aerial firefighting programs. During high fire risk periods of drought and wind, or
“The flight truck is a force multiplier on a working fire, as it allows the helicopter to remain on scene for up to eight hours without a lapse in attacks on a fire line,” said Whaley.
during increased lightning activity, the helicopter will launch with the Bambi Bucket in search of small fires.
If a fire is spotted, the pilot will put into motion a series of actions in order to get ahead of the flames. First, they will notify dispatch and request the appropriate amount of resources, which may include Florida Forest Service crews, water tankers, brush trucks and fire engines. Second, FireFlight will launch the unit’s custom flight truck. Driven by the on-duty firefighter/flight medic, the flight truck will follow the helicopter to each fire carrying an additional 300 gallons of jet fuel and 40 gallons of foam.
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May/June 2025
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