Air Operations

Question 1

How many patients can Med-Evac and DPS carry?

Answer 1

Only one; DPS should be notified of a litter patient prior to taking off or landing so that the interior can be arranged properly

Question 2

If Command wants to have the surrounding airspace restricted to avoid interference with operations, who must the request go through?

Answer 2

FAA Flight Service Station (contact info found in CAD file)

Question 3

What are news helicopters used for in aerial operations?

Answer 3

Aerial observers only, they have the capability to communicate on fire channels

Question 4

When requesting a helicopter for transportation of personnel and/or equipment, what should be included in the request?

Answer 4

Number of personnel and the weight and volume of the equipment

Question 5

Who has the ability to put Bambi Buckets in service? How many gallons of water can the Bambi Buckets hold?

Answer 5

Phoenix Police Air Unit - two buckets

Mesa Police Department - one bucket

67-96 gallons depending on air temperature and humidity

Question 6

How many buoy wall tanks does the Phoenix FD have?

Answer 6

Four

Question 7

How many wall tanks does Mesa FD have?

Answer 7

One

Question 8

How many gallons of water does a buoy wall tank hold?

Answer 8

3000 or 4000

Question 9

Where are helicopters with full buckets prohibited to fly?

Answer 9

Over occupied structures or traffic, unless structures are evacuated and roads closed

Question 10

Who will assist the water tender driver with set up and filling of buoy wall tanks?

Answer 10

Engine company assigned to landing zone sector

Question 11

How far away should apparatus be kept from helicopters dipping the buoy wall tank?

Answer 11

At least 150’ to the side of the flight path

Question 12

Explain the set up of a buoy wall tank.

Answer 12

Lay two salvage covers to protect bottom of tank.

Fill from bottom only and start filling slowly.

After one foot of water is in the tank, the flow rate can be increased.

Foam can be added after the level is about one foot from the top of tank.

Question 13

When contract helicopters are used, what should the engine company assigned to landing zone do?

Answer 13

Lay a supply line from a hydrant, and extend two 1-1/2” lines for refilling belly tanks, wet down area, and fire protection.

Question 14

How many gallons of water can contract helicopters drop?

Answer 14

Approximately 120 gallons

Question 15

When can crews approach the helicopter and where is the refilling done from?

Answer 15

Only after making eye contact with the pilot.

Refilling is done from the right side of aircraft.

Question 16

What are “special use” of helicopters considered to be?

Answer 16

Activities that require pilots and rescuers to use certified technical rescue skills

Question 17

True or False:

Flights conducted below 500 above ground level and hover sites are considered “special use” operations.

Answer 17

True

Question 18

What form is required for any “special use” of helicopters during rescue operations?

Answer 18

Load calculation form

Question 19

Who is air-to-ground communications between?

Answer 19

The helicopter and Landing Zone personnel on a separate channel assigned by dispatch

Question 20

How do fire crews communicate with National Guard helicopters?

Answer 20

Hand signals, National Guard helicopters do not have the ability to communicate with fire department ground units

Question 21

What is the designation for for a helicopter operating under direction of PFD, including PPD helicopters providing aerial recon, brush firefighting, transport or special use ops?

Answer 21

Firebird 1, 2, 3, etc.

Question 22

What is the designation for Mesa Police Dept. helicopters?

Answer 22

Falcon

Falcon 3 and 4 have same capabilities as Firebird

Question 23

What is the designation of DPS helicopter?

Answer 23

Ranger 41

Staffed with DPS pilot, DPS Officer/medic, and one PFD medic

Question 24

How big should the landing zone for helicopters be?

Answer 24

100’ x 100’

Question 25

How far away should people, animals, vehicles, etc. be kept from the landing zone?

Answer 25

Minimum of 200’ away

Question 26

How big should the touch down area be in the landing zone?

Answer 26

60’ x 60’

Identified with visual markers

Question 27

Where should the individual communicating with the pilot stand?

Answer 27

Front right corner of touch down area

Question 28

What is a “special use” landing zone defined as?

Answer 28

Any LZ where the pilot cannot land and shut down power. Should be staffed by TRT personnel.

Question 29

How far should the landing zone be from other scene activities?

Answer 29

At least 100 yards

Question 30

Whether a helicopter is running or not, where and how far should the “tail guard” be stationed?

Answer 30

50’ to 100’ from the tail rotor to keep the area secured

Question 31

How long after departure should radio communications be kept with the helicopter?

Answer 31

2-3 minutes in case of emergency and helicopter needs to return to LZ

Question 32

Which way does the helicopter depart, upwind or downwind?

Answer 32

Upwind