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FESA - Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia

Helitacs

 

Fleet and Performance

FESA currently operates a sophisticated aerial fleet to respond rapidly to fire and emergency incidents, strengthen firefighter capabilities and protect lives and property during Western Australia’s (WA) volatile bushfire season.

The firefighting fleet consists of two Type 1 helitacs with 3,750 litre water lifting capacity, four Type 3 helitacs with 1,100 litre water lifting capacity and one air intelligence helicopter to provide fire mapping information to incident controllers.

Type 1 helitacs may also be used to rescue and relocate people during significant natural disasters such as flooding and to transport food and water to isolated communities.

Each year the WA State Government and Australian Federal Government allocates funding to enhance WA’s helicopter fleet, which include deploying additional aircraft from overseas to provide assistance and combat fires during the bushfire season between December and April.

FESA’s fleet of helicopters plays a pivotal role in supporting ground firefighters to preserve and protect life, property and the environment in WA.

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Deployment and Activity

Helitacs are deployed when public safety and or assets are considered at imminent risk, when firefighting crew are in immediate danger, during extreme fire behavior and when high fuel loads are likely to accelerate and spread the fire.

Since their introduction in 2002, helitacs have proved to be a versatile, powerful and efficient aerial resource supporting firefighters to protect and save lives and homes.

Under the Bush Fires Act 1954, Fire Brigades Act 1942 and Emergency Management Act 2005, laws and legislation are in place allowing helitacs to collect water from sources found on private residential and commercial land.

Fresh water is sourced from lakes, dams, streams, reservoirs and portable collar tanks from points that offer safe and clear entry and exit paths free from infrastructure and obstructions.

Salt water is not used as spray leaves residue on the helicopters mechanical components and interferes with visibility compromising the safety of the crew.

Water sources are chosen based on proximity to the incident, access to the water source, visibility, level and suitability of water available with little or no potential risk to public spectators.

Helitacs are unable to collect water from domestic swimming pools as a 100 metre clearance is required for approach and take-off as the helicopters create substantial rotor wash and dangerous turbine heat emissions that present a risk to people and property.

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Tracking

Helitac activity is closely monitored and recorded in the FESA Air Operations computerized database to enable accurate reporting for the FESA Board, WA State Government and the National Aerial Fire Fighting Centre (NAFC).

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Fast Facts:

  • During WA’s December 2010 to April 2011 bushfire season helitacs dropped nearly four million litres of water and foam.
  • More than 2800 water drops were made in four months saving approximately 300 properties.
  • FESA’s aerial fleet was activated 348 times during the southern summer bushfire season and spent 530 hours airborne.
  • During the 2011 Roleystone bushfire, helitacs were airborne for 42 hours and delivered 470,000 litres of water and foam to bring the fire under control.
  • FESA’s fleet of aircraft includes Type 1 and Type 3 helitacs.
  • The Type 1 helitac can carry up to 15 people, equipment and has the capacity to hold 3,750 litres of water
  • The Type 3 helitac has the capacity to hold 1,100 litres of water
  • The Department of Environment and Conservation operates fixed-wing aircraft including eight water bombers who work with FESA when required.
  • The WA State Government has invested nearly $9 million during the 2010 to 2011 bushfire season on WA’s helicopter fleet bringing additional aircraft into the state.

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Publications

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FESA-Helitacs-Eurocopter-B2.pdfFact Sheet - Eurocopter B264 KB
FESA-Helitacs-Eurocopter-B3.pdfFact Sheet - Eurocopter B360 KB
FESA-Helitacs-VIH_Helitac_681.pdfFact Sheet - VIH Helitac 681109 KB
FESA-Helitacs-VIH_Helitac_682.pdfFact Sheet - VIH Helitac 68296 KB
FESA-Helitacs-VIH_Helitac_S61N.pdfFact Sheet - VIH Helitac S61N53 KB

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