The WCFB Air-Division (AD) was created in the 90's to create a specialized branch in the Fire Brigade which could cover all tasks that were present and, until that time were performed by third parties.
The AD is stationed at Station 5 on the premises of the Westland City International Airport and is responsible for different tasks, ranging from Search & Rescue; Assisting ground units in firefighting; Aerial Reconnaissance to transporting firefighters and patients.
To perform in the best way possible all personnel in the AD are carefully selected from the Fire Brigades most experienced and they receive extra training from the Coast Guard, which also works in close coöperation with the WCFB-AD.
Currently the WCFB-AD operates 3 Firefighting helicopters, 2 lifeflight helicopters, 2 Rescue Helicopters, 1 Medstar Evacuation plane and 1 recon-airplane. (Not all units are mentioned on this page)
Fire Helicopter 76-345
Second Helicopter, build by the Bell Company for the WCFB.
This helicopter is used to fight large fires, fires in high-buildings or fires on sea and has a very large watertank.
It can use this in two ways, either by the waterhoses on each side, or by dropping the whole amount on top of a fire. This is done through the large hatch underneath the belly of the helicopter.
When the watertank is empty, it can refill in two ways:
1- hovering above a large water-reservoir, dropping a suction hose and filling the tank. This takes about 8 minutes.
2- Landing at a refill station, connecting through the side-intake valves to high pressure and refill in 2 minutes. These valves and the control panel are situated behind the doors on both sides.
Sometimes the helicopter is used to assist with SAR-missions and therefore a large searchlight is mounted at the front, under the nose. At the rear of the helicopter are two lockers situated with a first-aid kit and a fire extinguisher.
STAFF: 1 Pilot and 1 co-pilot
EQUIPMENT: large searchlight, mounted under the nose; two lockers with first-aid kit, fire extinguisher; internal watertank; tow hook under helicopter; 2 high pressure waterguns mounted on sides; extendable waterpipe to fill watertanks.
Click to enlarge
Fire Helicopter 76-346
Third Helicopter, build by the Bell Company for the WCFB.
This helicopter is mainly used for SAR-missions and personnel/materials transport, therefore not fitted with an internal watertank, but a crewcab with sliding doors.
This helicopter has a longer nose than the 76-345, because of the extra avionics, like radar etc.
The helicopter is on 24h standby.
When necessary a water bucket can be hooked up under the helicopter, which can be filled in a large lake by hovering over the water and letting the bucket go under water. When arriving at a fire, dropping the content of the bucket at once, but primary function is patient transport and SAR.
STAFF: 1 Pilot; 1 co-pilot and 1 Medic
EQUIPMENT: large searchlight mounted under the nose; two lockers with first-aid kit, fire extinguisher; extra radios and firefighting equipment; foldable stretcher; tow hook under helicopter.
Click to enlarge
Patrol Airplane 76-348
This small twin-prop airplane is manned by two pilots.
The airplane is stationed at WC-International Airport and will fly patrols over large wooded/forestry areas and help with Search & rescue operations.
Also is this plane on 24h standby for help-calls from neighboring Fire Departments.
Click to enlarge
Fire Helicopter 76-349
This Helicopter is the same as unit 76-346, build by the Bell Company for the WCFB.
This helicopter is mainly used for SAR-missions and personnel/materials transport, therefore not fitted with an internal watertank, but a crewcab with sliding doors. This helicopter has a longer nose than the 76-345, because of the extra avionics, like radar etc. The helicopter can be in the air within 8 minutes after the first call.
When necessary a water bucket can be hooked up under the helicopter, which can be filled in a large lake by hovering over the water and letting the bucket go under water. When arriving at a fire, dropping the content of the bucket at once, but primary function is patient transport and SAR.
STAFF: 1 Pilot; 1 co-pilot and 1 Medic
EQUIPMENT: large searchlight mounted at under the nose; two lockers with first-aid kit, fire extinguisher; extra radios and firefighting equipment; foldable stretcher; tow hook under helicopter.
Click to enlarge
SAR Helicopter 76-444
This is one of 2 SAR-units that the WCFB-AD operates in cooperation with the Coastguard.
It is build by the Bell Company for the WCFB and the Coastguard.
This helicopter is ONLY used for SAR-missions and for lifeflights.
It has a large internal cab with an external winch, mounted on the side of the helicopter.
This helicopter is a somewhat older model, but has been upgraded recently with infrared camera dome and radar.
The helicopter is on 24h standby.
STAFF: 1 Pilot; 1 co-pilot and 1 Medic/Diver
EQUIPMENT: large searchlight mounted under the nose; Infrared camera dome; first-aid kit, fire extinguisher; extra radios and lifesaving equipment; foldable stretcher; side-mounted winch.
Click to enlarge
SAR Helicopter 76-445
This is the second of 2 SAR-units that the WCFB-AD operates in cooperation with the Coastguard.
It is build by the Augusta Company for the WCFB and the Coastguard.
This helicopter is the newest in the fleet and very modern, with very up to date equipment.
Like the 76-444, this helicopter is ONLY used for SAR-missions and lifeflights.
It is fitted with a large internal cab and an external winch is mounted on the side of the helicopter.
The helicopter is on 24h standby.
STAFF: 1 Pilot; 1 co-pilot and 1 Medic/Diver
EQUIPMENT: Two searchlights mounted on both sides; Infrared camera dome; first-aid kit, fire extinguisher; extra radios and lifesaving equipment; foldable stretcher; side-mounted winch.
No pictures available
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