This course covers aircraft types and capabilities, aviation management and safety for flying in and working with agency aircraft, tactical and logistical use of aircraft, and requirements for helicopter take-off and landing areas.
Retired Battalion Chief Jeff Brand will be your instructor. Chief Brand is a qualified type I (IC, Ops, Safety, Division/Group Supervisor, “Air Attack Officer”). He was the lead investigator of the Esperanza Fatality Fire. If you haven’t attended a class with Chief Brand you don’t know what you’re missing!
Chief Brand’s classes are NOT “pay the fee and get a C”! If you just want a certificate then this class is NOT for you. However, if you are really looking forward to learn what you need to know and say to an air-attack / helicopter coordinator during fix-wing and helicopter operations, then this class is for you.
You need to take this class from an instructor who is a QUALIFIED AIR ATTACK OFFICER, not from an instructor who’s department has one helicopter. Too many other inexperienced instructors do not have Chief Brand’s level of experience with wildfire aircraft (fix-wing, helicopters and helibase).