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National Fire Plan Success Story

Pacific Northwest Rappel Academy
Pacific Northwest Region, John Day, Oregon
June 2008

Helicopter
Helicopter used at the Rappel Academy.

Class of the 2008 Rappel Academy on the training tower.
2008 Rappel Academy.

This year’s training at the Pacific Northwest (PNW) Region Rappel Academy held in John Day, Oregon, wrapped up in early June. Since 2002, the annual Rappel Academy has successfully provided high quality, intensive, safe training to the Region’s rappellers. Rappellers are firefighters that are delivered to wildfires by means of rappelling down a rope from a hovering helicopter.

The Rappel Academy incorporates "basic training" and cross training of rappellers in all makes and models of rappel aircraft used in the region. The Academy provides standardized instruction regarding rappelling procedures and operations for rappellers from all six regional bases. This is real, hands-on training using real equipment, real time proficiency testing, and the actual helicopters that will be used by the rappellers throughout the summer. This training increases proficiency and safety for each and every rappeller, regardless if they are a rookie or a veteran of many seasons. Ultimately, the training enhances preparedness and suppression response by facilitating the mobilization of rappellers to any rappel base in the region. The ability to operate from any of the six rappel helicopters in the region allows the rappellers to "back up" geographic areas that may have an increased level of initial attack activity.

The concept of the Academy approach allows for the entire region to standardize procedures and operations. In 2001 one of the key steps that helped the Rappel Academy take shape was the construction of a training tower in John Day, Oregon. This tower greatly improved the quality and reality of the training, especially for first year rappellers. Construction of the tower was done in full collaboration with the Grant County Commissioners and the County Airport Manager. The Academy has been held in John Day every year since and has benefited from the support of that community.

This Regional Rappel Academy is committed to providing high quality and intensive instruction, mentoring, and coaching which enhances the safety of a high risk program. Today, the Pacific Northwest Region has over 100 qualified rappellers that can work from any of our bases, and helicopters are standard in all their procedures and aircraft configurations. The overall success and efficiency of the regional rappel program is the direct result of the Academy approach to rappel training.