Helicopter 'will not replace' fire engines

Firefighters have taken to the skies this month as part of a trial to find out whether a helicopter can be used to respond to certain emergencies.

A crew of four firefighters from Avon Fire and Rescue Service were flown to the scene of a range of simulated emergencies, including building collapses, water rescues and road traffic collisions. While the other emergency services use helicopters, it is believed this is the first such trial by a fire service in the UK.

“This year the fire and rescue service has suffered some of the most hard-hitting Government cuts,” said Avon Fire & Rescue Service’s chief fire officer, Kevin Pearson. “This has forced us to look at alternative ways to provide an emergency response to the public.

“I believe a helicopter could be used to get firefighters and equipment to the scene of certain emergencies more quickly than we could in road based vehicles. The trial will help us establish if a helicopter could be used as a ‘first strike’ resource, allowing crews to begin a rescue or render first aid before they are joined by colleagues in road vehicles.

Mr Pearson said he would never expect helicopters to replace fire engines, but there was a financial and operational case that an aircraft could be used to support existing equipment and vehicles.

The EC145 helicopter used was based at Filton airfield during the week-long trial. ‘Mission packs’ containing generic and specialist equipment were loaded onto the aircraft, depending on the scenario.