Chile Aerial Firefighting Teams Use Coulson's COVID Protocol

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Aerial firefighting pilots need to be prepared for anything given how dynamic fire can be. The challenge of operating during the COVID-19 pandemic is not something that normally comes to mind.

Across the world moving people safely has been an issue, and when providing an essential service to a country, safety of staff has to be front of mind.

Coulson Aviation has a strong and well-practiced Chile COVID plan in place which outlines how teams operate together in operations, during lockdowns, where they stay, how they move around and the required testing.

Chile Executive Program Manager Craig has been in country since December 2020, leading the fleet of six aircraft fleet and 80 plus personnel and supported by Chilean partner PESCO, a leading Chilean transport and logistics organisation.

Craig said Coulson team members have worked closely with the relevant authorities across countries to ensure the health and safety of the different teams and the continued ability to operate in firefighting.

“Operating safely, and within the guidelines required by Chile, as well as the countries from which the teams are coming has been number one priority,” he said.

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“It was one of the first plans we put in place because moving 4 Chinooks, a Blackhawk and the pilots, flight engineers, maintenance crew and management between countries was always going to be a big job.”

Craig said 'COVID bubbles' had been established to protect all of the crew that are working in Chile, with daily COVID procedures and regular rapid and PCR testing to ensure the highest level of protection is provided.

“We have a testing program in place which means medical staff come to them to undertake the testing; importantly the team members don’t have to leave their accommodation to get tested,” he said.

Different regions within Chile have been in lockdown at various times which means everyone has had to be flexible and able to respond appropriately.

Given the intensity of aerial firefighting, and the challenge of moving people between countries, many of the team members are working on a 21 day on and 21 day off rotation.

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Coulson Pilot Colin is operating on a Chinook with a Bambi bucket in Chile on such a roster.

“This year is particularly challenging with the Covid-19 pandemic. Organizing the movement of personnel, parts, and equipment to support four large aircraft at separate bases, in a foreign country is challenging at any time,” he said.

“But this year, the rules governing travel to and within the country have changed regularly, which complicates things. Our logistics team has done an amazing job.”

Teams are operating in Chile until April.

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