New helicopter wildland fire-fighting module emerges from R&D
Source: Precision Lift

New Helicopter Wildland Fire-Fighting Module emerges from Research and Development....Revolutionizes helicopter approach to fire fighting.

As we cruise into another potentially troubling wildfire season, two inventive business partners have found themselves once again at the forefront of a fresh new technological approach to an old problem....and of course it involves helicopters. Their company's new invention is a fresh approach to enhancing the process of wildfire mitigation and mop-up. Designed specifically for their already popular Heli-Basket Helicopter transport system, this new firefighting module is the newest and most advanced technology available for Helicopter Pilots and Firefighters involved with the battle of the blaze. In fact, PLI is shipping the units already to Air and Army national Guard Helicopter units across the US--from Alaska to the Virgin Islands.

Chris Croff and John Tollenaere have poured a mountain of research and development into their newest mobile firefighting module, the FA 400. This self contained fire pumper provides the critical relief that wildland firefighters have until now, only dreamed about. Their innovative module is ideal for quick knockdown of small fires and efficient mop up on large fires. Easily delivered to the site via ground (truck or trailer) or air (helicopter), the logistical readiness of their fire attack module makes it an important new suppression tool in the ongoing battle of the blaze.

Firefighting technology is not a newcomber to Croff and Tollenaere. Their company, Precision Lift, Inc., is the creator and distributor of the highly successful equipment transport cage for helicopters called the Heli-Basket™. The Heli-Basket delivers unprecedented strength, versatility, volume, payload, and aerodynamics. In fact, the Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopter squadrons and the Air National Guard SAR squadrons acquired them for facilities in every state in the US. Until the introduction of the Heli-Basket, transport of critical equipment and supplies to ground fire crews had seen insignificant improvements over recent years.

Fusing the Heli-Basket with this fire suppresion module results in a substantial increase in capabilities. Equipped with many extras, the FA 400's technology is enhanced with a built-in toolbox--crammed full with firefighting tools. Each module includes: Forestry Hose (typical lengths and diameters for Type 6 engine category) and Mop Up Hose, hose adapters, various fog and stream nozzles, 2 shovels, 2 Pulaski’s, 2 McLeod tools, 2 wildfire helmets with ratchet, 5 gallon gas can, 2 mop up wands, 5 gallons of foam concentrate, a five gallon collapsible back pack pump, and a first aid kit for minor mishaps.

For ground transport, the FA 400 easily mounts into a truck or trailer. For air transport, mount a Fire Attack 400 module into a Heli-Basket transport cage and a helicopter pilot can deliver a crucially important fire suppression device to any site the fire crew deems necessary. This basket/module combination is a revolutionary new approach to fire suppression--providing a fire truck-like pumper capability deploying a water/foam combination for small fire take down and large fire mop up. Containing a 400 gallon water tank the module delivers solution to one or more fire hoses connected to a multi-valve manifold. Place the module near a reservoir or stream and the module can draft from those water sources for continuous uninterrupted flow.

Traditionally firefighters have been frustrated with the lack of credible and easy-to-use water transport systems to squelch blazes. Tollenaere reflects, "Our FA suppression unit is like having a versatile fire engine out in the field, and the foam additive provides an added wetting factor that actually makes more efficient use of the water--an effective process which decreases the surface tension of the fluid. And in the situation where the fire engine can be placed near a stream or lake, it performs even better because it can utilize the continuous supply of water."

For those lucky crews armed with a Heli-Basket, the advantages of this suppression system speak for themselves. Croff explains, "The Heli-Basket as a stand alone device provides a viable solution to the logistics of equipment transport by helicopters used in the application of wild fire suppression. By providing a high quality firefighting module that is easily inserted into the basket we offer a highly mobile tool to the firefighting industry that will be especially effective in the mop-up phase of blazes--a phase which is labor intensive and a tedious effort”.

For more information about this innovative fire suppression system, please contact Precision Lift, Inc. by phone at 406-236-5361 or by email at pli@direcway.com.