Sun, Mar 28, 2004
Erickson AirCrane Says New Firefighting Strategy
"Revolutionary"
It's the mother of all aerial bombardment tanks and Erickson
AirCrane says it will revolutionize the firefighting business. The
Central Point (OR) company says Italy has purchased four S-64
"helitankers," equipped with 2650 gallon tanks. The helitankers
will be on the fire line later this year.
Italy, along with much of Europe, suffered one of its most
devastating fire seasons ever last year. Rome is no stranger to the
S-64. It's been using them on a contract basis since 1999.
The four new aircraft Italy plans to buy are also equipped with
Erickson's "foam cannon," according to the news website www.newsashland.com.
"We are seeing a tremendous evolution in the fire suppression
capability of Italy with the use of the S-64 Helitanker over the
last five years," says Gian Franco Blower, Erickson's VP for
Europe. "The integration of the S-64 Helitanker into the Italian
aerial firefighting fleet represents one of the most effective wild
land and urban interface fire suppression strategies in the
world."
The aircraft will go into service later this year with the Corpo
Forestale Dello Stato, based in Sicily. It currently owns and
operates a fleet of helicopters in a mix of single and light medium
twins ranging from MD 500's to Bell 412's.
"Italy is positioning itself as a front runner in its strategy
to combat the increasing threat of wild land and urban interface
fires," Blower said. "This philosophy has come about under strong
leadership of the Minister of Agricultural and Forestry Policies,
Gianni Alamanno, and the Head of Civil Protection, Dr. Guido
Bertolaso, and the unique relationship the two have in their shared
determination to curtail the devastating effects of fires within
the country."
Italian officials were no less pleased with the decision to
purchase four S-64s and option two others. "The Erickson Helitanker
has become totally integrated into the Protezione Civile fleet both
in an organizational and practical sense." said Colonel Carlo M.
Allochis, Director of the Aerial Firefighting fleet for the
Department of Civil Protection. "The aircraft have responded well
and have demonstrated excellent operability over long distances
with their unique onboard mobile support system. They are
considered as if they were a part of the Protezione Civile fleet
and are integrated into the command and control of this
organization."
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