Unofficial Malheur Rappel Crew Site
The
Malheur Rappel Crew (MRC) is a Type I, twenty person crew that specializes
in initial attack and helicopter operations. Operating out of the
John Day, Oregon airport, it is one of 5 US Forest Service helicopter rappel
crews in Region 6. The crew serves the Malheur National Forest, and
has been used on fires throughout the Western United States and Alaska.
This page presents information about the crew, its aircraft, and fire
rappelling. This is not an official Forest Service site, but simply
reflects the personal opinions and observations of a rappeller on the MRC.
Rappelling
Rappelling is a fast and efficient way of getting to fires in remote areas.
Firefighters rappel from helicopters hovering at altitudes of up to 250
feet above the ground. It's basically just another way to get to
work. On the ground, rappellers are like any other wildland
firefighter, using the same type of gear and tools.
Specialized equipment for rappel operations includes a flight helmet,
optional flight suit, heavy leather rappelling gloves, a Sky Genie descent
device, rappel harness, belly bag that converts to line gear (containing
hard hat, water, survival gear, and food) and 250 feet of bagged rope.
Once the rappellers are on the ground, a fire box containing two Pulaskis,
a shovel and 36 hours of food and water for two people is lowered from
inside the helicopter with a letdown line. A chain saw box can may
also be lowered depending on the need.
The Malheur receives a large number of lightning caused fires.
A typical initial attack mission with the Type III helicopter includes
the pilot, spotter, and two rappellers. The helicopter has its doors
removed for increased visibility and easy rappeller access to the skids.
Once over the fire, the spotter selects an appropriate hover site and communicates
with the pilot. He then signals the rappellers to throw out their
rope bags. Once the bags are on the ground, the spotter gives the
signal to go to the skids. The rappellers exit the helicopter, stand
on the skids with knees bent, holding the bottom of the door frame with
one hand, and the Genie descent device with the other. When the spotter
gives the rappel hand signal, the rappellers step off the skids and start
their descent. Under ideal conditions, a 250 feet rappel will last
roughly twenty seconds. Rappellers may encounter trees, strong winds,
conditions that cause the rope to spin, uneven terrain, and obstacles on
the ground. Once on terra firma, the rappellers begin their job as
firefighters.
After the fire is controlled and mopped up, the rappellers will pack
out to a road or trail head. Packs often will exceed 100 pounds,
and the rappellers may hike up to six miles over varied terrain.
There are 5 rappel bases in Region 6, and crews often get a chance to
work with each other. "Boosting" is temporarily sending one or more
rappellers to another helibase. Typically, there may be more fire
activity in one forest than another, with additional resources required.
Since all of the R6 rappellers receive standardized training and use similar
gear, it's easy for bases in the Malheur, Wenatchee, Siskiyou, Umatilla,
and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests to "boost" each other when needed.
Rappelling is only one aspect of the job. In addition to initial
attack duties, crew members are trained in helibase and helispot management
and operations, and may perform traditional helitack duties such as initial
attack and crew and cargo transport.
Aircraft
MRC uses two contract helicopters for its operations. The Type II
medium aircraft is a Sikorsky 58-T. This work horse helicopter can
carry nine passengers, and is mostly used for large fire support.
The Type II is usually sent out of the area to major fires in the Western
United States. During the 1998 fire season, it's been equipped to
rappel from. Click
here to learn more about 68U.
The Type III light aircraft is a Bell 206 LIII. This helicopter
is primarily used for initial attack, bucket work, and limited cargo transport.
This is the crew's primary rappel aircraft. Click
here to learn more about 98D.
The helibase also supports a contract Ayers Thrush, Seat Engine Air
Tanker (SEAT). This versatile aircraft is the only one of its kind
being used by the Forest Service. It's a converted crop duster that
can deliver 450 gallons of retardant on a fire. Click
here to learn more about Tanker 412.
Training
Crew
members receive extensive aviation and fire training. Rookies and
old timers report at the beginning of June, and receive three weeks
of intensive training. The first week is devoted to general topics,
such as CPR, first aid, and fire safety. The second week covers S-217,
Introduction to Helicopter Operations. Crew members must pass the
final test with a minimum 85% score. After completing the 217 course,
a day and a half is devoted to chain saw training, with a full day spent
in the field for practical hands-on work. Each morning starts with
an hour to hour and a half of group PT, consisting of stretching, running,
and different exercises.
The final week is rappel training. Crew members start ground training,
progress to a 15 foot low tower, then move on to rappels from a 40 foot
platform on a nearby fire lookout tower (there are plans to build a high
tower at the helibase). Safety is a key component during this phase.
A series of eight helicopter rappels must be completed before a rookie
can go on an operational fire mission. Four rappels are done at the
helibase, and four rappels are done in "typical terrain." This means
in trees, slopes, and uneven surfaces you encounter in the real world.
Following rappel certification, each Wednesday is devoted to training.
In addition to practice helicopter rappels, crew members get experience
in medical evacuation, crash rescue, air tanker operations, urban interface
situations, burn-outs, and other fire skills.
After rookie training is completed, PT is mostly left to the individual
(except Wednesday group PT days). Crew members are expected to workout
between 0900 and 1030 each working day, selecting their own PT regimes.
Random tests throughout the season ensure the crew meets the minimum physical
standards.
Hiring Information
The crew typically has between three and eight openings each season, which
runs from June 1 to October 1. As with other crews, the number of
open slots depends on the number of veterans that return. Past history
shows that many crew members do a three year stint before moving on to
other things.
Entry level, seasonal rappellers are GS-4s. In addition to the
seasonal openings, the crew frequently will have a few detailer slots.
Positions are fairly competitive, with over 100 applicants each season.
Hiring is usually done by the first part of April, so it pays to get an
application in early.
The minimum experience requirements for rookies are a season of wildland
fire fighting. Realistically, the more experience you have, the better
your chances for getting on the crew. There is an amazing amount
of fire wisdom and experience on the crew, and you'll find former shots,
jumpers, engine bosses, and hand crew folks, some with nearly 30 seasons
of fire. While not required, certifications such as Class C faller,
EMT, Squad Boss, or Helicopter Crew Member are a plus.
The minimum physical requirements are: a three mile walk on flat terrain
with a 45 pound pack in 45 minutes (next season the pack test for rappellers
may increase to 85 pounds), 20 pushups in a minute, 25 sit-ups in
a minute, 7 pull-ups, and a mile and a half run in 11 minutes 40 seconds.
These minimums are usually surpassed by most. In the 1998 rookie
class, it wasn't uncommon to see times under 38 minutes for the pack test,
over fifty sit-ups and push-ups within the minute limits, more than twenty
pull-ups, and sub-six minute mile pace runs.
Housing isn't provided, but there are a number of apartment and house
rentals in John Day and Canyon City. Rent is in the $225 to $300
a month range, depending on size and if utilities are provided.
If you're interested in applying, after fire season contact:
Brad Gibbs (Helibase Manager) or Jeff Meyerholz or Kevin Brown (Helibase
Assistant Managers)
Malheur Rappel Crew
P.O. Box 909
John Day, OR 97845
541-575-1322
photos and text copyright 1998, Joel McNamara (joelm@eskimo.com)
- last modified 9/08/98