Ground Crew Specialists (the unsung heroes of aerial firefighting)
All commercial aviation operations require professional ground crews working and communicating with flight crews. When it comes to aerial firefighting, this synchronicity, steeped in safety protocols, reaches an even higher level of importance during firefighting missions.
Coulson Aviation’s ground crew play an integral role in supporting flight crews as they attack out-of-control fires. Presently, Coulson has approximately 200 ground assets developed and mobilized in fire theatres all over the globe. These assets consist of mobile command-centres, trailers, pick-up trucks, automobiles, large-haul semi-trucks, and more.
As the Coulson Aviation Ground Fleet Services Manager, Dale, and his team keep these wheels turning. Dale is responsible for procuring and maintaining ground fleet equipment, staffing, and developing non-mechanical service teams (such as drivers, fuelers, equipment operators) to support all flight operations throughout North America.
Ground Crew Teams on the Move!
Dale - Ground Fleet Services Manager for Coulson Aviation’s aerial firefighting operations in North America.
One of Dale’s key focuses is supporting the fixed wing teams based in various fire theatres around the world, and the rotary wing teams operating as part of the 24/7 Quick Reaction Force operations in Los Angeles, Ventura, and Orange counties.
With another tough fire season ahead, and operating under intra-state and international COVID-19 protocols, transporting team members and equipment can create a logistical challenge - a challenge that requires experienced team members who thrive under pressure.
Dale says there is no such thing as an average day. In aerial firefighting, Dale’s teams can quickly be re-deployed to different bases hundreds of miles away, requiring mission critical support for flight crews including maintenance and refuelling enroute to their final destination(s).
“This could also involve working behind the scenes with authorities to stay on top of any closures or restrictions that may be in place to ensure we can gain access to where we need to be,” he said.
“We also have to be available to handle and remotely monitor the real-time performance of the ground fleet equipment to ensure any potential break-downs are mitigated, and rapidly dealt with if they occur.”
The Drivers of the Job
Dale has years of experience in transportation and fleet management, and as a former big rig driver he knows what it takes to move Coulson’s mission critical assets.
“I do this kind of work because I enjoy giving back to my planet and helping people. It touches all my business experience in a manner that changes by the hour,” he said.
“I have always been an ‘aviation nut’ from afar, but running big rigs became my ‘aircraft’ on the open road, so the ability to combine both my passions along with my communication skills has been both inspiring and humbling.”
“Seeing the results at the end of each fire season and hearing the teams’ battle stories of how they overcame obstacles makes it all worthwhile. The Coulson Group of Companies have been great to work with and I look forward to many more years with them.”
