specialist CFS/helicopter brigades

[probie_boy]

does anyone know if there are any CFS brigades that specialise in helicopter ground assistance? I raised this elsewhere and was just curious. I was thinking if not should there be a few brigades around that have the equipment and training to guide in a rescue chopper at RCR's and so on? Their specialist equipment could include flares, flag markers, tape (to tape off landing zone), wands to guide in choppers, portable windsocks etc. I know that the CFS are bringing in a course that deals with dealing with choppers and fixed wing aircraft. What do you think?

[Toast]

As far as I know, there is no actual training package at the moment. Although in the Public Safety Training package outline, there are a few modules dealing with helicopter/aircraft landing, so as you said, one may well be coming in.

In terms of specialist equipment, we carry flares and the normal tape that is standard issue. The flares are meant, I believe, to give an indication of wind speed/direction at ground level.

[Alan (Big Al)]

If you tried to land rescue 51/52 with wands the pilots likely to tell you to get lost, you could make up the most brilliantly taped off, lit up and clear landing zone for them but if they don't like it they will land somewhere else!!! It's happened to our brigade and probably heaps of others. All the choppers generally need is wind direction and rough speed of wind estimate over the radio, and make sure theres no stray people in the landing zone and they're happy.

[mengcfs]

Yeah they are preety easily satisfied. We land them on the road quiet often. All they need is a Lat and Long, general wind direction, any overhead objects and approximate landing zone in relation to emegency service vehicles. When the pilots can see the flashing lights they call up on GRN for any othe particulars they may need.

[medevac]

there is no such thing as a specialist brigade when it comes to landing zones... any brigade could be asked to do it.

some brigades that handle it often may carry extra gear, but as MUNDCFS said; all they require is a secured area, as much lighting as possible, wind direction and estimate of speed...

[oz fire]

There was a poster years ago about how to set up a zone - it wasn't rocket scienece, nmore comon sence - ie flat, clear of obsticles with a clear approach and departyure path and site lighting (ie vehicle head lights crossed over)

[bajdas]

Quite a few years ago I completed some training for helicopter landing sites.

Aside from the tasks mentioned above, this also involved conducting a line search (similar to a emu walk for rubbish) over the landing area. This was to pickup and objects that could be sucked up by the helicopter rotor into the windows.

Is this required anymore ?

[mengcfs]

Common sense prevails. Usually a generally clear area is picked but i haven't seen anyone do emu walks over the particular area. Several times we have used e-flares to indicate to the pilot as to where we have chosen a spot for them to put down - dare i say it, a search is conducted after they land to retrieve the flares.

[rescue5271]

We dont have that problem as the helicopter does not come this far south....

[Camo]

im pretty sure i have seen it at port mac blinkey being used in a search off the coast.

Camo

[rescue5271]

True cam,and at robe but fuel had to come from Naracoorte...

[Camo]

yeah i can only imagine the only places where AVGAS is available would be Mt Gambier and Naracoorte.  Bordertown is meant to have some but i dont think they do anymore.

[rescue5271]

may be buy one of the RFW and turn into a fuel tanker

[probie_boy]

yeah I read on the promo site I think lameroo or pinnaroo has avgas and a trailer so they can fill up the chopper there.

[PF_]

You mean Kalangadoo 

[mengcfs]

Meningie has stocks too. It's stored at the airstip.