Blackhawk Helitak in Shire for Bushfire Training 

A Blackhawk Helitak will be used in a bushfire training exercise in the Shire this weekend.

The Helitak helicopter is owned by the State and is used to support firefighters in their efforts to save lives and homes during bushfires, by dropping water onto fires. They’re also used to support operations by transporting personnel, food, water and fuel to isolated communities during significant natural disasters, such as flooding.

The chopper will be used by the Shire and Department of Fire Emergency Services (DFES) as part of an exercise which is aimed at providing local volunteers with invaluable Ground Controller training.  

Ground Controllers play a vital role in bushfire incidents by supporting the Incident Controllers, who manage the response to an entire incident.  The role of Ground Controllers includes giving instructions to pilots to ensure aerial efforts are coordinated with ground crews. 

As part of this exercise one of the State’s Blackhawk Helitaks will be in the shire conducting some live training drops. As such they will be flying quite low and pulling water from an approved source. 

The training is expected to take place on Saturday between 09.30 and 12.30, south of Margaret River around the Margaret River Independent School, Devil’s Lair Winery and Witchcliffe.  DFES have advised that they will do everything they can to minimise disruption during this important training.