Jaws dropped open as one of the world’s fastest five-blade light turbine helicopters flew overhead shoppers yesterday morning. But during the demonstration — intended to teach fire safey — the Inter-island Helicopter was called to a rescue related to an
Jaws dropped open as one of the world’s fastest five-blade light turbine helicopters flew overhead shoppers yesterday morning. But during the demonstration — intended to teach fire safey — the Inter-island Helicopter was called to a rescue related to an injured man on the North Shore.
“Some guy had started to do an S.O.S. in the sand in Kalalau,” Inter-island Helicopter owner Ken D’Attilio said.
En route to the rescue, D’Attilio said a Safari Helicopters pilot informed him that the injured man had been picked up already and transported to the hospital.
Inter-Island proceeded to the beach, however, to hover over top of the sand and erase the S.O.S. message so other individuals would not be falsely alarmed, he said.
No further information about the rescue was available at press time.
It was an eventful day for Inter-Island Helicopters, the Kaua‘i Fire Department, Home Depot and community organizations, who despite the real-life interruption, teamed up to spread fire safety awareness through a live aerial demonstration and information tables.
“Unfortunately, disaster has hit us occasionally,” D’Attilio said. “This event lets the community learn the capabilities of our helicopters in conjunction with the fire department.”
Kaua‘i has suffered a rash of brush fires this year, scorching hundreds of acres across the island.
Inter-Island assisted the fire department with its Hughes MD530FF aircraft in tackling 16 fires in the past year, D’Attilio said, triple the amount of previous years.
The veteran pilot demonstrated to community members how aerial support can help firefighters.
Inter-Island employees, including Sean Cahoon and Gordon Stephen, helped firefighters attach to the chopper a 144-gallon Bambi Bucket, which hangs suspended from the aircraft after it lifts off.
As families watched from a safe distance, D’Attilio hovered over the fire department’s new 2,500-gallon portable water tank and dipped the bucket into the pool.
He then flew 20 yards to the corner of the parking lot and dispensed the 1,200 pounds of water in a matter of seconds on a small sign set up in a parking space for the purpose of the demonstration.
D’Attilio said when he and his pilots help fight actual fires, they can drop a Bambi Bucket full of water every 30 seconds to one minute, depending on the proximity to the nearest reservoir or water source.
It was the first time testing the portable pool, he noted, adding that is serves as “another asset.”
Firefighters attached a hose to the inflatable tank from a nearby fire hydrant, which kept the pool topped off with water.
“It works quite well,” D’Attilio said. “And we hit the target.”
Clyde Weddell, who has served with the Kaua‘i Fire Department 12 years, called the use of helicopters in fighting fires “invaluable.”
In addition to dropping water, the helicopters also let firefighters repel down 100-foot cables through heavy foliage to battle the blaze on the ground.
“If you can catch a fire early enough, and you can get this helicopter, you can stop it,” Weddell said. “Otherwise, the fire can get really big with all the fuel around here.”
Firefighters from the Lihu‘e fire station along with Engine 3 and a representative from the department’s Prevention Bureau offered fire prevention information at the event.
“In recognition of next week being Fire Prevention Week, our Fire Chief Robert Westerman would like to remind everyone about the importance of designing and practicing a fire escape plan for their homes,” Mary Daubert, county spokeswoman, said in an e-mail.
“Your family needs to know how to get out at the first sign of a fire, and the best way to ensure this is to design a plan and practice it,” Westerman said in a statement.
Inter-Island averages three calls per week from the county, which includes rescue and search missions for injured or lost hikers.
The private company, based at Port Allen Airport, serves as the county’s primary provider of helicopter assistance.
Local residents Misty and David Soares brought their 2-year-old son, David Jr., and 4-year-old daughter, Maegan, to the event because “they love helicopters.”
“Usually, they just get to see them flying by,” Misty Soares said. “Today they get a chance to see them up close.”
The children also learned about fire safety, she added, something good for the “little ones” to know.
Lihu‘e resident Kanoe Hayden’s daughter, Sierra, and son, Ethan, learned how to use a fire extinguisher and enjoyed a Home Depot woodworking table set up for families to build whatever they could think of making with the tools and materials provided.
At a neighboring table, the Kaua‘i Chapter of the American Red Cross provided pamphlets on disaster preparedness.
Meanwhile, a member from Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster on Kaua‘i answered questions about amateur radio and how volunteers can help when disaster strikes.
“This event lets folks know what supplies and materials we have in case of disaster.” Home Depot Store Manager Jabarr Bean said. “ Home Depot is a partner in the community and this was an exciting, fun, informative day.”
