This is emergency rescue work in the operation of rotary-wing aircraft in the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department.

An employee in this class is responsible for assisting the Fire Department Helicopter Pilot in pre-flight, in-flight, post-flight and emergency rescue mission operations on a twenty-four hour per day basis. Emphasis of the work is on assisting the Pilot in piloting, navigation, radio communications and emergency rescue activities. Responsibilities include responding to a variety of emergency rescue missions requiring air-ambulance service, hoist and sling-load operations, extrication of victims and patients from disastrous or threatening environments, and the transportation of patients and victims to appropriate trauma network facilities. Additional responsibilities include responding to firefighting missions and transporting authorized personnel, materials and supplies to aid in recovery or rescue efforts. Supervision is received from the Fire Department Helicopter Pilot who reviews work for efficiency and successful accomplishment of assigned missions.

ILLUSTRATIVE TASKS

Responds to alarms and assists the Fire Department Helicopter Pilot in the operation of rotary-wing aircraft in accordance with FAA Rules where applicable and in accordance with the type of situation found; assists in all pre-flight, in-flight and post-flight checks; and assists in the operation of rotary-wing aircraft in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) and in over-water situations.

Assists the Fire Department Helicopter Pilot in the operation of an Airborne Command Post (ACP); observes and reports conditions not visible from the ground at emergency incidents such as structural fires, grass fires and natural disasters.

Assists in the performance of a variety of emergency rescue operations; on-scene fighting and suppression of fires; provides emergency medical care; extricates victims from rooftops and inaccessible areas for transport to designated care facilities; uses water drop capability to hold fast moving fires or fires in inaccessible areas until ground units arrive; protects exposures; extinguishes fires; protects personnel and equipment trapped by fire; lays hose lines to inaccessible areas; and utilizes the night-sun for take-off and landing from confined areas, personnel safety and search purposes.

Assists in the performance of sling-load and hoist work operations.

Assists in transporting victims from incident sites to designated locations as determined by appropriate authority and patients from hospital-to-hospital and to specialized facilities such as decompression chamber, burn unit and spinal cord center on a case-by-case basis.

Assists in transporting blood and organs for critical recipients, high teams to attack fires in high rise buildings, triage teams and medical supplies and equipment to mass casualty

situations, special agents such as METAL-X and SODA-ASH to hazardous materials incidents and delivers equipment and personnel to incident locations.

Assists in the maintenance of flight logs, maintenance records and the technical orders relative to the aircraft.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGES, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Knowledge of piloting rotary-wing aircraft and the capabilities and performance characteristics of rotary-wing aircraft.

Knowledge of the requirements for flying under instrument flight conditions in adverse weather, at night and in off-site landing situations.

Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of the various types of apparatus and equipment used in firefighting and emergency medical rescue work.

Knowledge of modern firefighting and fire prevention techniques, practices and methods, departmental regulations, policies and procedures and fire codes and safety regulations.

Knowledge of first-aid principles and their application.

Ability to assist in the operation of rotary-wing aircraft in firefighting and rescue missions, under instrument flight conditions, in adverse weather conditions, at night and in off-site landing situations.

Ability to react promptly and correctly in emergency situations.

Ability to identify fire spread potential in buildings, open areas and conflagrations.

Ability to train in specialized techniques of firefighting and fire prevention.

Ability to maintain records and prepare clear and concise reports of activities.

Skill in piloting rotary-wing aircraft.

Physical strength, agility and ability to meet the high physical requirements necessary to become a firefighter and perform physical tasks requiring sustained effort.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Must possess a Commercial Pilot Certificate in Rotocraft Helicopter Operations, Commercial Pilots Certificate in Helicopter Instrument Rating, and a Class 2 Medical Certificate. Completion of 500 hours flight time as pilot-in-command of aircraft is required. Must obtain a State of Florida license as a Firefighter within the one year probationary period.

REV 05/03