LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT’S ACQUISITION OF THE SIKORSKY FIREHAWK

The purpose of this paper is to serve as an outline for a public safety organization in its aircraft planning and acquisition process. This paper will follow the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s incorporation of two highly modified Blackhawk aircraft into it’s current fleet of aviation assets. These aircraft are tasked to accomplish many different missions to include fire fighting, personnel transport, rescue work, hoist operations etc. Subjects presented will include: The Fire Department’s operational needs that require an aircraft with this level of performance. The parameters for selection of the particular airframe. The modifications to be incorporated and how those modifications were derived. Selection of the Organizations to carry out the modifications. The use of outside consultants to verify the validity of the assumptions made by in-house staff. Lessons learned in the process.