Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

Bridgeport Interagency Helitack Crew

Mission Statement:

Bridgeport Helitack is committed to maintaining a professional wildland fire organization that is highly trained, productive, motivated, respected, and successful. Bridgeport's reputation is founded on duty, integrity, and a strong work ethic. Our quality is based on physical toughness, strong mental attitude, ambition, ability and willingness to get along with others and maintain safe wildland firefighting practices.

History of the Crew:

The helitack crew started out on what was then the Alpine District of the Forest in the Markleeville area. From 1972 through 1974, a manager and four person helitack crew was stationed at Camp Antelope near Walker, California along with the Toiyabe Hotshots. Beginning in 1975 an Interagency Helitack Crew was formed between the Toiyabe N.F. and Bakersfield BLM. This is believed to be the first interagency helitack formed in the U.S. In 1993 the Rappel Program started in Bridgeport. Over the years the program has used many types of helicopter models such as Bell 47, Bell 206 Jet Ranger, Hughes 500D, Bell 206L3 Long Ranger, Allouette, Lama SA350B, A-Star AS350B3, and Bell 407.

Crew Organization:

The Bridgeport Helitack Crew consists of a 10 person crew. The manager, assistant manager, two lead crews, two senior firefighters, and four to six seasonal or detailed crewmembers. The Crew is stationed in Bridgeport, California, approximately 70 miles south of Carson City, Nevada on Highway 395.

Operations:

The Helitack Crew performs a variety of different missions. As a U.S. Forest Service Rappel Crew, mission capabilities include initail attack, large fire support, search and rescue, aerial ignition (helitorch/PSD), timber surveys, forest support missions, and other missions as requested.

Physical standards of the Crew follow the outline “Fit to work standards at the arduous firefighter level.” Each crewmember must perform at a high level of physical fitness. Monitoring is conducted frequently to ensure firefighter safety. The rappeller fitness test includes a mile and half run in an elevation adjustment of 12:00 minutes or less, 5 or more pull-ups, 25 or more push-ups, 35 or more sit-ups in 1 minute or less.

Training is an important part of operations at Bridgeport. Along with Firefighter training, helitack members also get a wide range of Aviation based training. Rappel training begins with tower training. Once the individual shows successful performance in Tower and Mock-ups, he or she begins live rappels from the helicopter. Rappel heights range as high as 250 feet. Fire training is equally as important and follows the guidance of the National Wildfire Coordination Group and the Fire and Aviation Qualification Guide for Wildland and Prescribe 5109.17

Opportunities:

There are a wide range of opportunities on the Humbodlt-Toiyabe National Forest. The Bridgeport helitack crew offers fire and aviation experiences and helps to promote a safe and professional work environment.

Employment:

For information on how to apply visit http://www.usajobs.gov/ or https://www.avuecentral.com

Photo Page: We've added a photo page

Contacts:

For more information please contact Karen Kufta kkufta@fs.fed.us Helitack Manager or Lucas Minton lminton@fs.fed.us Assistant Helitack Manager. Helibase number (760) 932-7259 or (760) 932-7232.

USDA Forest Service - Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Last Modified: Wednesday, 09 April 2008 at 15:24:30 EDT