and the victim has been transferred, the aircrew normally completes a quick debrief of the operation on the helipad before returning to base.
A “Standard” Wildland Fire Insertion
Te Air Operations team also services other LACFD missions. In the wildland fire season, Air Operations is often tasked with transporting a team of fire suppression aides (FSAs) to a brush fire and inserting them tactically somewhere near the fire line. FSA insertions often require Air
Operations pilots to land in remote areas, sometimes using a single-wheel landing or landing in a very small area. When selecting landing zones and during the insertion, good communication among aircrew members is, again, extremely important. During the landing and off- loading sequence, the aircrew must maintain a quick but comprehensive scan that extends all around, over, and under the aircraft to enable the pilot to maintain his or her focus on steady aircraft control. After insertion, the FSA crew hikes to
their assigned area on the fire and begins “cutting line.” By cutting or scraping away any vegetation that would fuel the fire, the FSAs create a fire line that will stop or slow the fire’s spread. Before proceeding to the next assign-
ment, which will most likely entail dropping water on areas as indicated by the LACFD incident commander, the aircrew first checks in with the FSA crew to ensure that the two crews can communicate. While conducting water drops, the
aircrew will occasionally check in with the FSA crew to get an update on their status. Te aircrew is prepared at any time to recover the FSA crew from a hastily selected landing area should evacuation be needed. Tis type of interdependency requires
a high level of mutual trust and cooper- ation. Te LACFD builds this relationship by encouraging the aircrews and fire suppression crews to work, dine, and
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As a leader in deep-drawn and electroformed components and assemblies, Alpha Metalcraft companies have extensive experience delivering highly precise and complex products to meet the needs of aerospace and defense customers today and into the future.
participate in physical fitness activities, such as group sports, together while waiting to be called into action.
Maintaining Quality Regardless of what was accomplished or how well the response was completed, each mission conducted by an Air Operations crew is debriefed after landing. Te aircrew reviews the mission for adherence to stan- dard practices, lessons learned, and any
other pertinent information that should be brought forward to the larger organization. No detail is unimportant, nothing is
taken for granted, and personal egos are left behind. Te team maintains a constant eye toward improving operational efficiency, risk management, and the public service ethos that form the foundation of the Air Operations section of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Precise. Consistent. Innovative.
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Alpha Metalcraft Group
AlphaMetalcraft.com SEPTEMBER 2023 ROTOR 35
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