FRIDAY FORUM: Helene and Helicopters

The use of helicopters in the wake of Helene’s catastrophic impact to Appalachia is unprecedented in the history of modern day disaster response within the US. Since the wind died down, they have been used for rescue, reconnaissance, supply, transport, search, and the generally understood best way to move people and supplies within the complex landscape of a disaster within the mountains.  

As an East Coast urban rescuer, this concept was new to me as I’m sure it was to many.  Not that the use of helicopters is unheard of, but the reliance on them as the best and often only way to get things done on a massive scale is new territory. Most hurricane related disasters occur where you can drive to them, the role of helicopters dropping off quickly once the flood waters recede.  

Not so with Helene.  Many rural communities were tricky to get to on a good day, much less after mudslides and trees cut the only arteries supplying them.  There simply is no other way.

The triumph of HART teams, National Guard and Military Helicopters, and Private/Civilian Helicopters in the ongoing response cannot be overstated.  Big and small, hoist capable or dropping supplies, without these resources the loss of life and suffering would be all the greater.

A few thoughts for Rescuers and EM’s:

-Understand how to work with these assets.  Other than basic TR training and Medevac, I received little training in how to interface with these teams.  It was more a “that’s cool but I’ll never get to use it” learning environment.

-Plan to use them.  EM’s beware, Helene is a case study for future disasters in the mountains be they floods, earthquakes, or other issues.  Build them into your plan.

-Get creative.  Currently, small private helicopters are flying generators where larger airframes can't fit as temperatures plummet.  Private helicopters may be a necessity to build into your official response plan.  In the last two photos, helicopters were used for structural firefighting in post-Katrina New Orleans as they endured months of poor hydrant pressure and high fire volume.  

Some heroes have rotor blades.