Erickson AirCrane Says New Firefighting Strategy "Revolutionary"

It's the mother of all aerial bombardment tanks and Erickson AirCrane says it will revolutionize the firefighting business. The Central Point (OR) company says Italy has purchased four S-64 "helitankers," equipped with 2650 gallon tanks. The helitankers will be on the fire line later this year.

Italy, along with much of Europe, suffered one of its most devastating fire seasons ever last year. Rome is no stranger to the S-64. It's been using them on a contract basis since 1999.

The four new aircraft Italy plans to buy are also equipped with Erickson's "foam cannon," according to the news website www.newsashland.com. "We are seeing a tremendous evolution in the fire suppression capability of Italy with the use of the S-64 Helitanker over the last five years," says Gian Franco Blower, Erickson's VP for Europe. "The integration of the S-64 Helitanker into the Italian aerial firefighting fleet represents one of the most effective wild land and urban interface fire suppression strategies in the world."

The aircraft will go into service later this year with the Corpo Forestale Dello Stato, based in Sicily. It currently owns and operates a fleet of helicopters in a mix of single and light medium twins ranging from MD 500's to Bell 412's.

"Italy is positioning itself as a front runner in its strategy to combat the increasing threat of wild land and urban interface fires," Blower said. "This philosophy has come about under strong leadership of the Minister of Agricultural and Forestry Policies, Gianni Alamanno, and the Head of Civil Protection, Dr. Guido Bertolaso, and the unique relationship the two have in their shared determination to curtail the devastating effects of fires within the country."

Italian officials were no less pleased with the decision to purchase four S-64s and option two others. "The Erickson Helitanker has become totally integrated into the Protezione Civile fleet both in an organizational and practical sense." said Colonel Carlo M. Allochis, Director of the Aerial Firefighting fleet for the Department of Civil Protection. "The aircraft have responded well and have demonstrated excellent operability over long distances with their unique onboard mobile support system. They are considered as if they were a part of the Protezione Civile fleet and are integrated into the command and control of this organization."

FMI: www.erickson-aircrane.com