CAL FIRE's UH-1H

Mission

The CAL FIRE Super Huey’s primary mission is responding to initial attack wildfires and rescue missions. When responding to wildfires, the helicopter can quickly deliver a Helitack Crew for ground firefighting, which it supports with water drops. The helicopters are also used for firing operations using either a Helitorch or a Plastic Spherical Dispenser (PSD) on wildland fires or prescribed burns, transporting internal cargo loads, mapping, medical evacuations and non-fire emergency missions.

In 1997, CAL FIRE personnel were trained to do “short haul” rescues. Since 2011 CAL FIRE has moved away from the Short Haul program and started utilizing the Hoist program. This specialized rescue technique involves highly trained firefighters being lowered from a hovering helicopter to an injured or trapped person below. Once secured to a rescue device, both the victim and rescuer are then hoisted into the helicopter and flown to a landing zone.

Manufacturer

Bell Helicopters, Fort Worth, Texas.

Original Owner

United States Army, 1963 to 1975. The UH-1H was used as a troop/cargo transport and for specialized operations.

Acquired by CAL FIRE

In 1981, CAL FIRE acquired 12 UH-1F helicopters through the Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) program. In 1990 they were replaced by newer, highly modified, Vietnam-era UH-1H helicopters referred to as the “Super Huey.”