For a third year in a row the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) presented CAL FIRE
and DynCorp International with the
FAA’s Diamond Award of Excellence for Aviation Maintenance. The award
recognizes CAL FIRE’s aviation maintenance unit after all maintenance
technicians pass a rigorous and specialized aircraft safety training program.
"CAL FIRE’s aerial firefighting
fleet is an important part of our ability to meet our mission to protect the people,
property, and natural resources of California,” said Chief Ken Pimlott,
director of CAL FIRE. “This award is a testament to the hard work our aviation
staff and the DynCorp International mechanics devote every single day to keep
our aircraft flying safely.”
CAL FIRE maintains 23 airtankers, 14
airtactical aircraft, 11 helicopters, and numerous other fixed-wing training
and administrative aircraft. All the aircraft are maintained at the department’s
maintenance base at McClellan Air Park in Sacramento County. Since the
beginning of CAL FIRE’s air program in the 1970s, safety and superior
maintenance has been a top priority. Along with CAL FIRE’s seasonal aviation
experts, DynCorp International mechanics ensure that the state’s firefighting
air fleet is kept in pristine condition.
“I am very proud of the effort and
dedication of our team to achieve the third consecutive FAA Diamond Award, said
Jeff Cavarra, DynCorp International. “The CAL FIRE Aviation Program is a great
example of a Public/Private Partnership and DynCorp International is proud to
be part of the team” This year’s drought has required CAL FIRE to keep nearly
half of its airbases open during the time when the aircraft would typically be
brought in for maintenance. CAL FIRE and DynCorps’ maintenance team have worked
tirelessly to get CAL FIRE’s fleet operational in a timely manner. CAL FIRE’s
airtankers and helicopters have kept busy across the state as the department
has responded to over 500 wildfires that have charred over 1,130 acres. In a no
rmal year the department would
responded to fewer than 130 small wildfires.
For more information on CAL FIRE’s
firefighting air program visit www.fire.ca.gov.
