Non-CSS Browsers: content starts here.
Aviation
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department Air Operations Section currently has two UH-1H helicopters ready to respond to any emergency, day or night, rain or shine. The Air Operations Section is based in the center of the county at the Santa Ynez Airport. Air Operations is staffed seven days a week with professional Pilots chosen for their experience in the fire and rescue disciplines. These Pilots are responsible for the safe operation of the aircraft and are teamed up with an experienced Fire Captain (The Crew Chief). The Crew Chief is responsible for the strategic and tactical planning of the fire, rescue or medivac mission. Our maintenance staff are the backbone to our operation, without them we would not fly. With one full time mechanic and two part time mechanics, they keep our aircraft ready to go.
In order to accomplish the rescue or medivac mission, fire Station 32, also located on the airport, provides the rescue paramedics for the helicopter. These are the highly trained firefighters you often see dangling on a very small cable rescuing people in very dangerous places. The rescue medics train for ocean rescue, cliff or mountain rescue and swift water rescue, day or night, rain or shine and in the snow. These firefighters also provide the support role during fire operations such as cutting and staffing landing spots (helispots) on wildland fires or filling the helicopter’s water tank for night fire suppression missions. Station 32 also provides the staffing for the helicopter fuel truck (Helitender). This is especially crucial for the fire mission. This allows the helicopter to fuel close to the fire incident allowing a very quick return to dropping water.
Helicopter 308 went into service in 1999. Helicopter 309 went into service in 2002. Both helicopters can perform all fire and rescue and medivac missions. Both are equipped with water dropping tanks that carry 320 gallons of water. These helicopters can pump water from a reservoir or other suitable water source or can be filled on the ground with fire hose. B oth helicopters have rescue hoists to rescue people in precarious places. Both helicopters are assigned and carry a full compliment of medical equipment to treat the sick or injured either on the ground or in the air.
During high fire season, one of the helicopters is fitted with crew seats and the hoist is removed to accommodate the transport of fire crews to inaccessible locations. The other helicopter is set up for rescue and medivac with the hoist. Both helicopters are on the line ready to go based on the mission. Both have water dropping capabilities. Either helicopter can be reconfigured for the other mission in a matter of minutes.
We would also like to take the opportunity to thank the Santa Barbara firefighter Alliance for the Night Vision Goggles and the rescue equipment they have provided. We can directly attribute lives saved and houses still standing due to these items. A heart felt “Thank you”.