Copter
The helicopters are operated jointly between the Ventura County Fire Department and the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. The fire department uses the copters for firefighting, fire command and rescue operations.
For transportation, the copter can carry a crew of nine firefighters. The 375-gallon water tank is used to make water drops on brush fires or other major fires but, due to its weight, when carrying water, the copter operates with minimal staffing. Personnel on the ground can fill the tank from a fire engine, or the copter can hover over a water source, such as a pond or lake, and "snorkel" water into the tank. Under certain conditions the copter can make water drops at night.
Staffing: For firefighting operations, the copter is operated by Sheriff's Department personnel with a Fire Department crew chief also on-board.
Radio designation: Copter + number.
i.e.: Copter 7.
note: If the copter is operating on an "advanced life
support" mission with medical personnel on-board,
the radio designation is "Air Squad".
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