Los Angeles County Fire Department Swift Water Rescue Operations

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Performing a swiftwater rescue from a helicopter is one of the most dangerous things a member of the Los Angeles County Fire Department's Air Operations Section does. To add to the danger, many times they have to perform the rescue in the flood control channels around the county that are very different from an open river or stream.

"They're man-made, they have concrete sides, they're designed to channel water quickly and efficiently away from urban areas," said Rafael Ortiz a Firefighter/Paramedic in LA County's Air Operations Section. He added, "Swiftwater is probably the most dangerous thing we do."

In the helicopter, the pilot is relying on the crew member to position the aircraft and tell him what is going on with the victim and the rescuer, and they have to be able to do this both during both day and night.

FDNNTV.com was able to fly in one of their helicopters during an exercise where crew members practiced two evolutions, the first being the "tethered rescuer", where the helicopter matches speed with the person in the water. The rescuer inside the aircraft is hooked to the hoist cable and lowered down to the victim. Once he secures the victim, both are lifted off to the side and lowered safely.

"If there is no place to land them immediately because of wires or other obstructions we can raise them all the way up into the aircraft and secure them in the aircraft and find a place to land," Ortiz explained.

The second evolution they practiced is called "swimmer free". In this scenario, the helicopter arrives at a ground-based rescue in progress. When needed, they lower a specially designed hook with four large bells as well as flotation devices. A ground-based rescuer will be in the water and can either grab the victim or hook the victim up to be lifted out.

All the flood control channels have drop-offs that create an area that can trap and drown a person. The fire department has now set up identifiers along the miles of concrete channel they are responsible for. "We now have pre-designated spots where we set up rescue locations where we can put hose or rope or anything else across that man-made river to pick them up," Ortiz said.

If a person goes in at a certain location, the next five engine companies will pre-designate and go to where they hope to be able to rescue the victim. If not, it is time to put the helicopter in the air.

For more information on the Air Operations Section of the Los Angeles County Fire Department visit http://fire.lacounty.gov/AirWildland/AirWildlandAirOps.asp



Author:Barbara Brooks - FDNNTV.com