The Air Operations Section started in 1962 with one Bell 47 helicopter and has grown to the robust operation it is today. With a daily staff of 14 members on platoon duty and four special duty staff, the section responds to wildland fires, hoist rescues, air ambulances, major incidents requiring command/recon from the air, and aircraft emergencies at Van Nuys airport.
Fleet
The LAFD currently flies two different aircraft. Our medium (Type II) water dropping aircraft are Augusta Westland 139. We just took delivery of our fourth AW139 and retired the last Bell 412. This was a huge step in the direction of safer operations as having pilots flying too many different types of aircraft was a safety concern. The AW139 offers safety margins and power that supersedes that of the Bell 412. If one engine fails on this twin engine aircraft during an operation, it can most likely complete the operation on the last engine and safely make a landing.
Utilizing not only our state of the art helicopter fleet, but technologies such as night vision and scene illumination, air operations can assist ground operations and enhance safety.
For a command and recon platform the LAFD utilizes two Bell 206’s (Fire 6 & 7). While Fire 7 is primarily for training, Fire 6 is often utilized as the HLCO ship, offering critical information to incident commanders.
Pilot program
Pilots endure a rigorous 4½ year training program to become a Pilot III. Any LAFD member with four years on the job that has 100 hours of experience flying rotorcraft and having a private pilot certificate can apply for the Pilot I exam. f promoted to Pilot I after an interview and three whole score, the member will begin up to one year at LAPD’s flight training at Hooper Heliport (Piper Tech). This is state of the art training that teaches the member everything from basic ground school aerodynamics to emergency procedures in the Bell 206 Jet Ranger.
After successfully completing the LAPD training the member will be assigned to a platoon duty assignment at Air Ops where he/she will continue their pilot training and also become certified as a Level I Helitac member. The member will then continue with another 200 hours of LAFD training in three phases which will teach the member mountain flying and water dropping. After the pilot completes their Pilot II training, they will be sent to AW139 school and go through the certification process to fly the medium helicopters. Once a member is fully capable to fly both helicopter platforms on every type of mission, they are promoted to Pilot III.
Each platoon has a Pilot IV in command of flight operations. Today the Pilot IV’s leading their commands are:
“A” Platoon – Pilot IV Dennis Ward
“B” Platoon – Pilot IV Lance Messner
“C” Platoon – Pilot IV Dan Child
Aeromedics
Air Operations has four flight paramedics assigned to each platoon who rotate between the Air Ambulance and Rescue 90 as the back-up flight crew. They operate with an expanded scope of practice and with additional life support equipment. Most incidents require the flight paramedic to be inserted via hoist cable from the helicopter and perform medical assessments/treatment while packaging the patient for transport without support. In addition to all helicopter rescue and inter-facility transport of critical patients needing higher levels of care, helitac operations are also performed. Diversity of incidents include river and hoist rescues, high-rise firefighting, and animal rescue.
Aircraft Rescue & Firefighting (ARFF)
Crash and Foam 114 started as RIV 90 and Foam 90 at Fire Station 90 in the 1956 when the firehouse was built to provide ARFF service for the Van Nuys Airport. RIV 90 was staffed by a CI, A/O and FF. When an alarm came in, Foam 90 would respond with the engineer from E290 and a FF from 90’s, and the rest of Task Force 90 would respond as well.
In May 2008, newly built Fire Station 114 was opened and became the home of LAFD Air Operations. The station also housed Crash and Foam 114. LAWA (Los Angeles World Airports) fully funded Crash & Foam 114 to service the Van Nuys Airport with two apparatus and five members. The crew consists of a Captain I, A/O and FF on CRASH 114, and an engineer and FF on Foam 114.
Helitac
Members assigned to FS 90 pull dual-duty as helitac crew members for Air Operations. These members will respond to Air Operations for brush fires and high-rise responses with the Airborne Task Force. All members assigned to FS 90 are expected to become Level 2 helitac certified. Some go on to obtain Level 1 certification and are able to be part of the crew during a hoist operation.
Obtaining your Level 2 certification can take up to one year as you must have operational knowledge of all City and some County helispots. These members will be dropped off at a helispot by one of the helicopters and will then set up all the hose for a filling operation supported by an engine company. If the operation goes on long enough, other members from FS90 will then bring out a fuel tender for the aircraft and conduct “hotfuel” operations to keep the aircraft going.
Command Staff
The Air Operations Section is led by a three command staff and one support staff. On, July 9, 2017 B/C Rick Combs and Captain II Adam Knabe took command of the section. They work closely on a daily basis with long time experienced Pilot V Scot Davison. Together they administratively run the overall operations for both the helicopter program and the ARFF. Assisting them in their administrative duties is Administrative Clerk Priscilla Letona. During emergencies requiring a helicopter coordinator (HLCO), Chief Combs or Captain Knabe will be filling that roll from one of the command helicopters.