CAL FIRE initiated an Air Rescue Program in 1997 to augment the Department's all-risk emergency response role. Utilizing the CAL FIRE's UH-1H "Super Huey" as a "flying fire engine", the Air Rescue Team can be rapidly deployed to the scene of an emergency by either landing, heli-stepping (in close proximity) or deploying the rescuers directly to the victim's location utilizing Short-Haul Rescue Techniques.

Short-Haul is an emergency rescue tool designed to quickly retrieve an individual out of a dangerous situation and place them in a safe location. Short-Haul involves a rescuer being lowered on a rope from a hovering helicopter to the victim below. After the rescuer rigs a harness to the victim, or,  if injuries warrant, places the victim in a stokes basket, the helicopter then lifts both to safety a short distance away.

Hemet/Ryan Helitack, H-301 is available throughout CAL FIRE/Riverside Unit and is dispatched by Riverside County Fire Department's Emergency Command Center (ECC)  in Perris. 

The CAL FIRE Short Haul Rescue Team includes:
CAL FIRE Forestry Pilot, Rescue Supervisor, Crew Chief and two (2) Rescuers (EMT1 or Paramedic) level of medical training.

Rescue Training

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above: Engineer Mark Kalisek (left) inspects
the typical rigging for Rescuer 1 at right


Rescuer, FFI Tim Rodriguez returning from a training exercise


Incident Photos:

Rescue Supervisor, Engineer Matt Stanford surveying the site
before deployment


Rescuer, FFI Brett Minor signaling to the Crew Chief - good
altitude at an Ortega Mountain rescue