Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Opinion: Firefighting helicopter might make more sense. Hilton Head Island's Fire and Rescue Division.

Hilton Head Island's Fire and Rescue Division chief proposed accepting a Department of Homeland Security grant of $292,045 to purchase a fire-rescue boat, initially to be kept on a trailer at a fire station, then dispatched from a boat ramp.

Cost for training the personnel, annual maintenance and insurance would be borne by the town.

Considering the high-tech equipment the town already acquired for its Fire and Rescue Division headquarters and its seven fire stations, it appears that just one fire-and-rescue boat might not meet our fire department's already adopted standards.

The chief should convince Town Council to purchase not one, but two boats -- one moored at Skull Creek, the other at Harbour Town. This would allow response times similar to those used to justify seven fire stations.

Those familiar with operating a 26-foot power boat or sailboat know how to avoid getting close to shore in rough weather with big surf. That's what our fire chief wants this boat for, to fight fires from the water. But a flat bottom, light displacement vessel, such as he intends to purchase, is hardly suitable for such a task.

Wouldn't it make more sense to consider purchasing a small helicopter, specially equipped for fighting fires from the air? Response time would decrease substantially, a requirement for any equipment acquisitions during our chief's tenure. While it would require construction of a state-of-the-art hangar at our airport, it could certainly make our chief the most admired fire chief in this country.

Rolf Zenker

Hilton Head Island

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