Ride Along in CDF Air Attack 340 Paso Robles (self-narrated)

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This is one (1) 'Ride-Along' response of many that I was blessed to fly as an 'observer' [as each incident served as an excellent opportunity to supplement my collection of personal, first-hand experience 'Fire Training' videos I've created over the years] ...aboard Air Attack 340 assigned at Paso Robles Air Attack Base in California, USA.

I sat in a very small back seat adjacent to several hundred pounds of radio equipment (this ages me!) in the military version of the Cessna Skymaster known as an "O-2" ...which I was the first to figure out how to configure a very simple NON-Hard Wire method to capture the full audio [Insulated from the sound of the twin engines!] that 'self-narrates' in 'Live-Time' each scene with all Air-to-Air; Air-to-Ground; and Ground-to-Ground radio communications/ operations... and of course, as you'll notice, the REQUIRED interruptions of each 'expletive' spoken on the on-board Intercom system!

...and NO! I didn't get sick as we joked as I held an oversized full VHS video camera at a challenging angle to one eye as I pointed the lens through the small weapon site on the side window as we pulled fairly good "G's" on each steep turn! ...as I maintained the proper camera angle to capture the shot at 6:30 and repeated again at 7:05.

Take a moment to witness the 'wing vortices' that can actually fan a fire immediately after a drop at this low altitude. Just watch as the prevailing on-shore flow (winds) move the left wing vortices downwind (right) and over this flank as indicated by the lift and curl action of the smoke column as seen all the way down the right flank! This phenomenon can act as a double-edge sword and actually increase fire behavior if the drop is in anyway compromised or incomplete.

When they joked about me getting air sick at 7:12 (as most do when they place one eye to the view finder of a camera in a steep turn), Roger Moulin (one the TOP Air-Attack pilots in the West) reached over and pulled back and opened Walt Embry's (Air Attack Officer seated directly in front of me) flight suit collar and stated, "If you have to let go, it goes right here!" Thank you God I have no middle ear issue(s) with a long list of professional aviator's in this bloodline.

We Fire Fighters can be so bad... seems we always give each other so much 'shi_!' ...consistently! ...every time! NO PRISONERS! ...EVER!!!

Just listen to the dialogue of the comments when we 'Buzzed' some millionaire's vacation home (just barely 'above' FAA minimums!) at 7:35 and again at 9:20!

Nope! Proof to mom we really never ever do grow up! The toys only get better with 'experience!' [Age and Treachery]

As 1992 was kind of a 'slow' fire season by comparative standards, we flew Bill and Dan in Tanker 03 (SP2V) overhead perhaps a little longer than conditions would usually warrant. Paso Robles Air Attack Base is consistently one of the busiest air bases on the planet which is one of the main reasons why they assigned and test-flew this first ever "variable flow" retardant delivery system which has since been further improved and become the industry standard in nearly every air-tanker flying today.

I hope you enjoy this video as much as I enjoyed the actual flight! ...and many other flights I took throughout the years that followed before the California Department of Forestry [CDF now known as CAL FIRE] 'up-graded' to the much faster and more maneuverable [two (2) seat] OV-10 'Bronco.'

All video captured/edited/produced by Rich Hoffmann, Fire Captain/Peace Officer (a medically retired 'PIG IN HEAT!!!') and twice Patented Inventor who has also become known as the "Painter of LIFE" dba Rich Hoffmann Photo-Graphics.

Feel free to also visit my other website at: www.rhphotographics.com

Remember, always be FIRE SAFE! ...but especially if you're a public service worker FOR your local community! Please point as many as you know to:

www.fireandlifesafety.org

Not many consider, "What can we TEACH our community to SAVE A FIRE FIGHTER's LIFE!?!

Kyle R. Wilson was KILLED at the age of 24 as he searched for 'POTENTIAL' fire victims who simply were NOT INFORMED how critically important it is during their extreme, expected emotional trauma to place someone, anyone, even a neighbor, in position at 6:05 AM on a weekday morning at 'The Pre-Determined Meeting Place' in front of their fully involved home to confirm FACE TO FACE to any First Responder that in fact all SEVEN (7) fire victims were out when in fact, "ALL ARE OUT!"

The first in Company Officer commenced an aggressive SEARCH yet was NOT INFORMED each and every fire victim had ESCAPED to SAFETY and were tending their immediate needs in the comfort of their neighbor's home while FF/EMT Wilson did his BEST to search every room in a soon to be fully involved COFFIN before becoming trapped himself and two (2) other Fire Fighters were injured as they were UNSUCCESSFUL to rescue him from within the wind driven inferno!

Think not only about what we can do to SAFELY ARRIVE! ...at ALL! ...but also what you can TEACH those in your community who rely heavily upon us whose actions can actually SAVE OUR LIVES AS WELL!!!

Nine (9) Fire Professionals DIED in Charleston, SC searching for 'Unaccounted For' fire victims... who had apparently had already ESCAPED TO SAFETY! The last that did NOT leave were the rescuers themselves!

HFT Fire
'The Technology to Take the HEAT!'
(888) 602-FIRE
rich@hftfire.com

In loving memory of 911, Charleston, and literally ALL who have fallen at our side! May God lead and protect our every step as we walk that fine line and SAFELY balance 'Risk vs. Benefit!"

Live and work that, "Nobody EVER gets hurt on my shift! ...EVER!!!"

Channel: Howto & Style
Uploaded: June 4, 2007 at 6:33 am
Author: hftfire

Length: 00:10:00
Rating: 5.00
Views: 20937

Tags: cdf air attack 340 calfire tanker 03 paso Walt Embry Rich Hoffmann Roger Moulen Kyle Wilson John Keane Dennis Cheshire

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Video Comments:
MistaSpin (July 20, 2008 at 4:01 pm)
Shitty View...lmao
pcpeeker (July 8, 2008 at 6:52 pm)
Where was this? And Was the fire truck that you can see Cambira Fire Egine 5797
DonnyG77 (May 13, 2008 at 6:41 pm)
great video!
Engineer6418 (April 5, 2008 at 2:39 pm)
Well done video. Ah the old days. I miss the sights and sounds of the older generation of air attack aircraft. Thanks for a trip down memory lane.
125ccshifter (March 10, 2008 at 12:45 am)
Call To Courage
It is from ladder 49
Apockiller (March 5, 2008 at 8:25 am)
Ah yes!! high way 46 east!! The bane of my exsistance!!! I used to be an EMT working for San Luis Ambulance. On my first week of driving I went to one of the worst accidents about 2 or 3 miles from the 101 junction. that was in 1986. biggest nastiest TC 3 people died.
dizzydonmez (September 16, 2007 at 4:25 pm)
This is an awesome video makes me want to fly and fight fires!!!!
firecap (September 2, 2007 at 1:48 am)
This is cool, Walt is a funny guy, Roger (RIP) was a great Air Attack pilot and Bill could really fly Tanker 03. The 46 IC that Walt is talking to is me. Weird to hear my voice on this. The house on the ridge is the second house built there, I went to the first one that burnt down by a lightning strike, it was Patty Hearst hide out after she was released from jail.
hftfire (September 2, 2007 at 3:52 am)
Small world the fire service is! Great to hear from you again! I worked as a CDC Fire Captain at the State Prison in Avenal and later flew the 58 Fire and Shell Inc.'s to metnion a few with Roger, Art, Roy, etc. ...you know the guys! So sorry to hear about Roger though. I hope his family and many friends the best during his absence. Like everyone, I think we all concurred the contribution he was across the board! All my best!
firecap (September 2, 2007 at 1:46 am)
This is cool, Walt is a funny guy, Roger (RIP) was a great Air Attack pilot and Bill could really fly Tanker 03. The 46 IC that Walt is talking to is me. Weird to hear my voice on this. The house on the ridge is the second house built there, I went to the first one that burnt down by a lightning strike, it was Patty Hearst hide out after she was released from jail.