Coulson Aviation has been selected as the only private helicopter operator for the fifth consecutive year to support Southern California’s Quick Reaction Force (QRF) to fight wildfires. Contracting with Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura County fire departments with its fleet of Very Large Helitankers, pilots and support crews, this new contract extends Coulson’s support of the QRF to 24/7/365, a first-ever opportunity for the company and the counties and the only contract of its kind worldwide.
“Coulson Aviation is pleased to be part of this game-changing and successful force for California in response to the state’s year-round needs,” said Wayne Coulson, CEO of Coulson Aviation. “Our aircraft are on contract in the LA Basin, day and night, providing additional air support to the brave men and women firefighters protecting Southern California.”
This year the contract upgrades from two to three Boeing CH-47 Chinook Very Large Helitankers, a Sikorsky S-76 intelligence and recon helicopter, along with all the flight and maintenance crews.
Coulson’s CH-47 Chinook Very Large Helitankers are equipped with Coulson’s own RADS-L delivery system, the largest fixed helicopter tank at 3,000 gallons and can “hover fill” in 90 seconds. Coulson also designed and manufactured the largest retractable snorkel, allowing for the quickest return to the fire line. The aircraft operate at night with pilots using night vision goggles (NVGs) and receive additional “eye-in-the-sky” support from the Sikorsky S-76 intelligence and recon helicopter. During last year’s contract, Coulson dropped more than 700,000 gallons of water on more than 25 wildfires with over half of that under the cover of darkness.
While contracted to the county fire departments, the aircraft will also be available to support partner fire departments within SCE’s 50,000-square-mile service area.
