**Is There a Better Way to Do It?**

With growing concern over the inappropriate use of helicopters in fire
tactical operations, the USDA Forest Service (Fire and Aviation
Management) and the National Aviation and Ground Safety committee
published a joint paper in [Risk Management in Action]{.underline}
(Issue 1: March 2001). The paper, "Heli-mopping: A Dirty Word" defined
heli-mopping as "use of a helicopter for water or retardant application
beyond an initial attack in recently burned areas where there is minimal
danger of the fire escaping." The paper cited examples of inappropriate
uses, factors that motivate heli-mopping, and outlined legitimate
reasons for use of helicopter applications inside the black.

As long time and current Air Attack Group Supervisor Ward Monroe states,
"Today heli-mopping appears to be an accepted practice and does not have
the stigma that it had years ago". Perhaps it is now time to reassess
our tactical use of helicopters (aerial applications) and to determine
whether or not "the dirty word" is still a part of normal fire
operations.

As a current Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS) I would like to share
with you some of my observations with regard to helicopter aerial
application operations. Rightly used, the helicopter can be a tremendous
tactical tool to assist in containing the fire. However, when the tool
is inappropriately used, such as when there is minimal danger of fire
escape, and when ground alternatives are readily available, the result
is unnecessary exposure of flight crews to a high risk low level flight
environment, significantly higher suppression costs, and in many cases,
less effective mop up. In some situations, helicopter aerial
applications inside the black are justified and perhaps the only
practical and safe means for mop-up, preventing fire escape, or spotting
from torching near the line.

In the following pages I will discuss my observations, their
consequences, and potential alternatives. Before concluding, I will
provide recommendations on how I think the heli-mopping issue can at
least be partially resolved and how helicopter aerial application
operations can be made safer and more efficient.

**Observations**

1.  There has been a significant increase in the use of helicopter
    aerial applications to directly support containment and mop-up
    objectives when alternative means or methods could be employed to
    accomplish the objectives. In other words -- there's a lot of
    heli-mopping going on! The greatest increase has been since
    2001.Perhaps this is, in part, a response to past fatality fires and
    changes in how we fight fire today.

2.  A significant percentage of the tactical use flight time, and cost,
    can be attributed to heli-mopping -- often with Type 1 helicopters.

3.  A majority of the crews / individuals utilizing heli-drops are
    deficient in effectively communicating target locations, identifying
    targets and directing drops. Most do not have signal mirrors or
    ground panels to pinpoint target locations. As a result, mission
    coordination is often confusing, time consuming and more costly than
    it should be.

4.  Some crews are not acquainted with, or trained in the use of
    alternative mop-up techniques and equipment. i.e. gravity sock
    systems, use of pyramid tanks / baby hose and other collapsible
    tanks -- some delivered by helicopter.

5.  Many aerial drops "violate" the principles of good risk management
    and the "Twelve Standard Aviation Watch Out Questions." Most
    frequently violated are:

> #1 *Is this flight necessary?* Often not -- alternative methods could
> be planned and used. i.e. backpack pump, fold-a-tanks, pyramid tanks
> and collapsible freestanding tanks with baby hose, gravity sock/hose
> systems -- and good ole dry mop.
>
> #5 Is *there a better way to do it?* Often times, yes. See #1 above.
>
> #7 *Can you justify your action?* Often times the answer is no- not
> when safer, more effective and less costly means are available.

6.  Assessment of the potential for fire escape has not been done, or if
    it has, and there is minimal potential for escape, the drop has been
    ordered anyway.

7.  Some Operations personnel plan heli-mopping in their daily action
    plan as a standard operating procedure.

Although Fire Managers Incident IC / Operation and ATGSs have tried to
address the "heli-mopping issue" it continues to be widespread, even by
many hot shot crews and other highly trained firefighters.
Unfortunately, some Operation Section Chiefs and Division Group
Supervisors, when the practice is brought to their attention, fail to do
anything about it.

**The Consequences**

1.  Increased exposure (to accidents) of pilots flying in the high risk
    low level "dead man's curve" environment.

2.  Significant increase in costs to accomplish the objective.

3.  Overall significant increase in aviation resource costs.

4.  Increased risk to ground personnel who direct the drop and fail to
    clear the drop zone.

5.  Unnecessary and poor use of pilot duty / flight time.

6.  Often times a less efficient and less effective use of water for
    mop-up as compared to alternative methods.

7.  Increase in incident air traffic with greater potential for a
    mid-air collision.

**Aerial Application Alternatives**

There are a number of alternatives for accomplishing containment and
mop-up objectives that are safer and less costly. Use of these
alternatives will result in more efficient, more effective operations
with less chance of a reburn or unsuppressed fuels. Alternatives
include:

1.  Use of basic "dry mop" and cold trail (a lost art).

2.  Use of backpack pump / bladder bag (serviced by a local water
    resource, helicopter slung pyramid tanks, fold-a-tanks, etc.).

3.  Use of helicopter slung pyramid tanks, fold-a-tanks -- with gravity
    hose lays/mop-up kits.

4.  Use of gravity sock / hose lays with mop-up kits where local water
    sources are available

**More Efficient and Safer Missions**

To reduce pilot "low level exposure time", and increase mission safety
and efficiency I suggest the following:

1.  Use GPS coordinates for general locations if pilot is unfamiliar
    with the location.

2.  Routinely use signal mirrors to pinpoint the target area.

3.  Routinely use highly visible ground panels to identify specific drop
    targets -- space blankets are often used.

4.  Be able to accurately direct the pilot using clock direction method.

**General Recommendations**

Fire managers / Incident Commanders / Operations Section Chiefs can
address the "heli-mopping issue "and improve helicopter aerial
application mission efficiency by implementing the following.

1.  Review [Risk Management in Action:]{.underline} "Heli-mopping: A
    Dirty Word". Discuss the key points with fire people in your unit or
    on your Incident Management Team.

2.  During initial and refresher fire suppression training emphasize use
    of the dry mop method and de-emphasize dependence on water and
    helicopter drops.

3.  Emphasize effective techniques of mop-up with limited water supply
    -- how to maximize use of backpack pump, collapsible water tanks,
    mop-up kits.

4.  Train crews in use of gravity sock system.

5.  Plan for, order, and use ground water handling resources -- pyramid
    tanks, collapsible free standing tanks, fold-a-tanks-etc.

6.  Discuss with fire personnel the risks associated with low level
    helicopter operations i.e. dead man's curve, inefficient missions
    adding to "exposure time", conservation of pilot flight time, etc.

7.  ICs (Type 1-3) at their annual team meetings discuss "heli-mopping"
    and alternatives to it.

8.  Train all fire personnel in the use of signal mirrors, ground panels
    and effective radio communication for directing helicopter drops.

9.  Teams / caches stock signal mirrors.

10. ICs / Operations Section Chiefs strongly encourage "alternative
    mop-up methods" and monitor mop-up operations.

11. Division Group Supervisors closely monitor their Division for
    prudent use of helicopter resources.

12. Gather intelligence / locate water sources (fill sites, springs,
    ponds) which may support "alternative mop-up methods".

13. Operations / Division Group Supervisors coach your subordinates on
    the alternative uses identified above.

14. Apply the basic principles of Risk Management - a critical and
    integral part of safe and effective fire-aviation management!

**Conclusion**

The significant reduction of the heavy airtanker fleet in 2004 resulted
in much heavier dependence on helicopters for tactical missions,
particularly Type 1 helicopters. OMB and some Fire--Aviation Managers
have expressed great concern for the high costs associated with aviation
resources, particularly helicopter operations. The prospects for
continued heavy dependence on helicopters will continue for quite some
time until the heavy airtanker fleet is reestablished. How we manage and
use the helicopter fleet will dictate how safe and cost effective our
helicopter operations are. I believe that by seriously addressing the
observations and recommendations expressed in this paper we will:

1.  Improve helicopter operations safety by reducing unnecessary risk to
    pilots;

2.  Significantly reduce helicopter operations cost;

3.  Improve mop-up effectiveness;

4.  Result in more effective and efficient helicopter operations.

The concept of the "accident triangle" applies to aviation as well as
ground operations. Increased, often unjustified, flight hours in the
high risk low level environment increases EXPOSURE. Increased exposure
leads to a greater potential for ACCIDENTS. Increased number of
accidents leads to greater potential for FATALITES.

It is critically important that ICs and Ops Chiefs establish a
"helicopter use philosophy" and guidelines. It is equally important that
their Division Group Supervisors monitor their division for compliance
and assist and coach their subordinates when alternatives are a better
way to go. We all have a stake in doing the job in the safest and most
cost effective manner.

For what it's worth...

William D. Moody

USDA Forest Service -- retired

Current Air Tactical Group Supervisor

Former career Smokejumper and Smokejumper Base Manager,

Operation Section Chief 2,

Air Operations Branch Director and Incident Commander 3