Air Operations Flashcards
How many patients can Med-Evac and DPS carry?
Only one; DPS should be notified of a litter patient prior to taking off or landing so that the interior can be arranged properly
If Command wants to have the surrounding airspace restricted to avoid interference with operations, who must the request go through?
FAA Flight Service Station (contact info found in CAD file)
What are news helicopters used for in aerial operations?
Aerial observers only, they have the capability to communicate on fire channels
When requesting a helicopter for transportation of personnel and/or equipment, what should be included in the request?
Number of personnel and the weight and volume of the equipment
Who has the ability to put Bambi Buckets in service? How many gallons of water can the Bambi Buckets hold?
Phoenix Police Air Unit - two buckets
Mesa Police Department - one bucket
67-96 gallons depending on air temperature and humidity
How many buoy wall tanks does the Phoenix FD have?
Four
How many wall tanks does Mesa FD have?
One
How many gallons of water does a buoy wall tank hold?
3000 or 4000
Where are helicopters with full buckets prohibited to fly?
Over occupied structures or traffic, unless structures are evacuated and roads closed
Who will assist the water tender driver with set up and filling of buoy wall tanks?
Engine company assigned to landing zone sector
How far away should apparatus be kept from helicopters dipping the buoy wall tank?
At least 150’ to the side of the flight path
Explain the set up of a buoy wall tank.
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.
When contract helicopters are used, what should the engine company assigned to landing zone do?
Lay a supply line from a hydrant, and extend two 1-1/2” lines for refilling belly tanks, wet down area, and fire protection.
How many gallons of water can contract helicopters drop?
Approximately 120 gallons
When can crews approach the helicopter and where is the refilling done from?
Only after making eye contact with the pilot.
Refilling is done from the right side of aircraft.
What are “special use” of helicopters considered to be?
Activities that require pilots and rescuers to use certified technical rescue skills
True or False:
Flights conducted below 500 above ground level and hover sites are considered “special use” operations.
True
What form is required for any “special use” of helicopters during rescue operations?
Load calculation form
Who is air-to-ground communications between?
The helicopter and Landing Zone personnel on a separate channel assigned by dispatch
How do fire crews communicate with National Guard helicopters?
Hand signals, National Guard helicopters do not have the ability to communicate with fire department ground units
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?
Firebird 1, 2, 3, etc.
What is the designation for Mesa Police Dept. helicopters?
Falcon
Falcon 3 and 4 have same capabilities as Firebird
What is the designation of DPS helicopter?
Ranger 41
Staffed with DPS pilot, DPS Officer/medic, and one PFD medic
How big should the landing zone for helicopters be?
100’ x 100’
How far away should people, animals, vehicles, etc. be kept from the landing zone?
Minimum of 200’ away
How big should the touch down area be in the landing zone?
60’ x 60’
Identified with visual markers
Where should the individual communicating with the pilot stand?
Front right corner of touch down area
What is a “special use” landing zone defined as?
Any LZ where the pilot cannot land and shut down power. Should be staffed by TRT personnel.
How far should the landing zone be from other scene activities?
At least 100 yards
Whether a helicopter is running or not, where and how far should the “tail guard” be stationed?
50’ to 100’ from the tail rotor to keep the area secured
How long after departure should radio communications be kept with the helicopter?
2-3 minutes in case of emergency and helicopter needs to return to LZ
Which way does the helicopter depart, upwind or downwind?
Upwind
