to support us.Putting it into PracticeAn ARS initial hoist or short-haul course typically involves 40 to 48 hours of classroom and field instruction, and begins with eight to 10 hours in the classroom. We have a very immersed, didactic portion that starts off every class, covering helicopter operations, safety, CRM [crew resource management], hazard identification and risk management, said Cockell. The skills come easy once they can manage those other issues.Students are then introduced to all the various hardware, aircraft rigging, safety equipment, and rescue systems. For experienced rescuers, this acts as a refresher.[ARS] operates on a best practices baseline, ever evolving to keep their training up to date, said Bitton. Every step of our program begins with intense ground based training with hands-on by our unit members.The class then moves into the field, where core modules are taught and hands-on skills and procedures are introduced, reinforced and reinforced again. Emphasis is placed on the basics: working around the aircraft, close quarter positioning, and the use of equipment.In what might be considered the crawl stage, students are introduced to skid riding and basic short-haul or hoisting techniques. When we progress to flight operations, ARS instructs in [a] building blocks format, making certain all [students] attain the required knowledge before moving on to the next block of instruction, said Bitton.In the days that follow, as students become comfortable with the techniques and procedures and begin to gel as a team, the walk stage begins. Instructors challenge the students using controlled scenarios, steadily elevating the situational difficulty at the different venues. The culmination of the training is the run stage, as ARS instructors develop and choreograph realistic and challenging scenarios in the field. The students must assess the situation, develop a plan, and successfully execute the mission using the skills they have been taught.Upon the students successful completion of the course, ARS instructors are quick to emphasize the importance of prudent management of their new skills. We challenge these organizations to constantly look for reasons to not do what theyre trained to do rather than jump at the first opportunity, said Cockell. We share our achievements and failures to make our customers achieve the highest level of risk managed response.Expanded ServiceAs well as its many training offerings, ARS provides airborne response services to public safety agencies who may require the capabilities of a helicopter and crew. For instance, ARS will launch their aircraft to perform an emergency short-haul or hoist rescue, or perhaps support an agency on a pre-planned tactical mission where they might provide aerial insertions into a remote marijuana grow.ARS also supplies teams of skilled rescue and medical personnel to fulfill long- and short-term contract programs around the globe. In partnership with Erickson, it recently completed a multi-year contract in which it supplied rescue hoist operators, paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in support of training missions for the U.S. Army in Alaska. A similar program in Hawaii currently utilizes over 30 full- and part-time paramedics and EMTs. Next year, in partnership with AAR Airlift and British International Helicopters, ARS will supply