by Chris Devers

Although helicopters are not so innovative as other aircraft like jets or shuttles, they are considered the most efficient aerial way for rescue missions for the purpose of firefighting. They are known as the most effective way to deal with any insurgency in rescue missions.

Fire fighting in big areas such as terrorist attacks and forest fires are the important tasks a helicopter carrier out brilliantly. In such cases, destruction occurs at bigger scales and without effective & quick disaster management techniques, the situation may get worsened.

One of the efficient ways used by chopper is proper use of water bucket to put off fire. A water bucket is a movable bucket-like structure that is hung below helicopter with cargo hooks. Once emptied, this bucket can be refilled from nearest lake or pond and used again and again. This technique cats brilliantly in times of crisis.

Some Helicopters also use the Bambi bucket which is a bit more advanced as compared to water bucket. Besides water, helicopters also use water enhancers and chemicals such as gels, foams and some formulated fire retardants. These chemicals are specifically made for fire fighting purposes. The foam which is added to these water buckets has concentration levels of 0.5% to 1.0% as per the requirement and need of the situation. Foam tanks need power pumps to operate, though they look like common water tanks.

Helicopter work best when use to survey an entire area & in keeping contact with ground personnel to carry out the fire fighting procedure in an outstanding and fruitful way.

A helicopter starts controlling fire at the heel and then continues along the sides i.e. towards that area where fire is heading.’ Heel’ stands for the starting point of fire from where fire had originated. A helicopter’s pilot also takes into account the direction of the wind because it can cause a damaging effect to entire fire fighting procedure.

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