Colton Firefighters Receive Helicopter Training

By: Miguel Cruz

Community Writer

Photo Courtesy of:

Colton Fire Department

Photo Description:

The individuals which attended Helitac training (left to right): Capt. Bradfield (COL), Eng. Atchison (LOM), FFPM Wurm (COL), Capt. Ruston (COL), FFPM Boucher (LOM), Capt, DeBellis (COL), Eng. Vail (COL), Eng. Hutchison (COL), FFPM Granger (COL), FFPM Engle (COL), Capt. Aragon (COL), Eng. Foulks, FF Maldonado (LOM).
Colton and Loma Linda Fire Departments have recently taken steps to ensure that their firefighters are prepared for more types of unforeseen emergencies. On Friday, March 21st, 17 local firefighters were sent to the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Aviation Division to complete Helitack training. The training will provide firefighters with the skills needed to successfully use helicopters during their operations, and scenarios such as rescues in a remote part of the city. The training was done in response to a river emergency in Colton this past winter, where, after a rainstorm struck, a victim was trapped in a tree being unable to get to safe dry ground. Because the victim was in a remote area of the city, firefighters had to use a helicopter to perform the rescue. About 34 firefighters from both cities have received Helitack training this year so far.