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Specialist Response - Aerial Observation Platform

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Aerial observation platform

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service is a pioneer when it comes to the area of Remotely Operated Observation Platforms.

Early in 2008, the Service took ownership of a high performance electric helicopter, fitted with a computer controlled system and a fully gyro-stabilised camera mount.

The helicopter has proved so successful that Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service hosted a Remotely Operated Observation Platform seminar early in 2009.

Aerial observation helicopter equipped with cameras

The purpose of the helicopter observation unit is to provide incident commanders with real time overhead video/stills or thermal imaging of an incident from a safe position.

This can be achieved by placing the helicopter in a high, stable hover in a stand-off position above and to one side of the incident site.

The helicopter can be flown out to a distance of 500m from the pilot and to a height of up to 400ft.

The live aerial images from the helicopter can be received and integrated into the Command and Control system via the command vehicle, thereby providing incident commanders with real time data as the incident progresses.

The helicopter and all of it associated equipment is stowed and mobilised on the Command Two vehicle at Service Headquarters and if required can also be mobilised independently.

 
  • Heath fires;
  • Large scale flooding;
  • Large scale property fires;
  • Large scale Urban Search & Rescue involving collapsed structures;
  • Hazardous chemical spillage;
  • Monitoring acetylene cylinder temperatures;
  • Location of hotspots;
  • Fire investigation;
  • Any Incidents of special interest;
  • Assisting other agencies.

 
Aerial shot of Emsworth workshop fire
  • Emsworth – Workshop fire
  • Waltham Chase – Workshop fire
  • Milford on Sea – SOLFIRE exercise
  • Banstead (Surrey) – Waitrose fire investigation
  • Clanfield – Joint working with Animal Health Department.