The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has taken delivery of its first Bell 505 turbine single light helicopter that it plans to use for training and helicopter coordinator (HLCO) during aerial firefighting operations. The HLCO assists incident commanders with tactics and strategy while simultaneously managing aircraft separation.
Dubbed “Fire-7,” the helicopter will also serve as a flight training and water drop training platform for LAFD’s pilots. In the coming months, the LAFD plans to add an Isolair fire tank to the aircraft to train pilots on precision aerial water drops.
“The new Fire-7 will assume the lead position for all command-and-control missions,” said LAFD captain Erik Scott. “Fire-7 will help modernize the LAFD’s fleet and it will provide significant tactical and technological advantages in protecting LA against wildfires and other emergencies for years to come.”
“Essentially, the Bell 505 will serve as an air traffic controller in the sky. When we have large brush fires or multiple rescue helicopters working in a certain area, the Bell 505’s technology will assist the pilots in identifying wires, mountains, obstacles, or other aircraft in the airspace and warn the pilots that those hazards are out there,” said Scot Davison, chief pilot for LAFD.