THE CREW
The Malheur Rappel Crew traces its roots back to 1971; the first time a Helitack crew staffed a helicopter on Airport Hill in John Day. Since then, the crew has grown into a highly trained organization fully staffed at 27 aerial delivered firefighters. Our primary mission is to provide aggressive initial attack resources from our exclusive-use Bell 205 rappel platform, both regionally and nationally.
In addition to our local and regional IA responsibilities, we mobilize to meet initial attack needs, support large fire suppression efforts, and participate in prescribed fire operations across the lower 48 and Alaska.
The Malheur Rappel Crew is one of 12 rappel bases making up the USFS National Rappel Program. Our airbase is located in John Day to facilitate an effective response to any local smoke reports on the Malheur National Forest and the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. We boast 1.7 million acres of timbered rappel country in our back yard, with four wilderness areas in our response zone.
There has been a helicopter based out of John Day for over 50 years and we take pride in our excellent record of safety, versatility, and effectiveness.
In addition to our local and regional IA responsibilities, we mobilize to meet initial attack needs, support large fire suppression efforts, and participate in prescribed fire operations across the lower 48 and Alaska.
The Malheur Rappel Crew is one of 12 rappel bases making up the USFS National Rappel Program. Our airbase is located in John Day to facilitate an effective response to any local smoke reports on the Malheur National Forest and the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. We boast 1.7 million acres of timbered rappel country in our back yard, with four wilderness areas in our response zone.
There has been a helicopter based out of John Day for over 50 years and we take pride in our excellent record of safety, versatility, and effectiveness.
OUR MISSION
Remote Initial Attack:
Our primary mission profile is quick-response initial attack. Helicopter rappelling is a proven and highly efficient tool to rapidly deliver firefighters to remote or priority incidents. Aircraft and rappeller mobilization is coordinated at the regional and national level.
Aviation Operations:
While the crew's main focus is fire suppression, crewmembers will find themselves with the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of aviation assignments throughout the season. From personnel transport and cargo delivery to helispot construction and filling helibase roles, our rappellers have the chance to work on a variety of aviation taskbooks and skills.
Large Fire Support:
Large fire support assignments have taken the crew to nearly every state in the lower 48 and Alaska. We specialize in filling roles as needed, both on helibase and off. We maintain IA availability while providing qualified and trainee single resource bosses, helibase management, and medical capabilities to the team.
Prescribed Fire:
The Malheur Rappel Crew typically supports prescribed fire efforts at the head and tail ends of our fire season, offering valuable training opportunities in fire and fuels management.
Our primary mission profile is quick-response initial attack. Helicopter rappelling is a proven and highly efficient tool to rapidly deliver firefighters to remote or priority incidents. Aircraft and rappeller mobilization is coordinated at the regional and national level.
Aviation Operations:
While the crew's main focus is fire suppression, crewmembers will find themselves with the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of aviation assignments throughout the season. From personnel transport and cargo delivery to helispot construction and filling helibase roles, our rappellers have the chance to work on a variety of aviation taskbooks and skills.
Large Fire Support:
Large fire support assignments have taken the crew to nearly every state in the lower 48 and Alaska. We specialize in filling roles as needed, both on helibase and off. We maintain IA availability while providing qualified and trainee single resource bosses, helibase management, and medical capabilities to the team.
Prescribed Fire:
The Malheur Rappel Crew typically supports prescribed fire efforts at the head and tail ends of our fire season, offering valuable training opportunities in fire and fuels management.
OUR CORE VALUES
The Malheur Rappel Crew is dedicated to providing professional wildland firefighters and aviation managers to resource management agencies throughout the United States. Through our dedication to moral integrity, work ethic, training, mentorship and leadership we will stand together as a high-reliability organization, now and in the years to come.
- We will conduct ourselves in the highest ethical manner in all relationships with peers, superiors, and subordinates.
- We will be honest and truthful in our dealings with each other, our fellow firefighters and with the public.
- We will encourage new ideas and learn from our mistakes as well as the misfortunes of others.
- We will abide by an uncompromising code of integrity, taking responsibility for our actions while building the team for the future.
- We will train how we work and work how we train.
- We will be accountable for our behavior on a professional and personal level, avoiding improper or illegal behavior or even the appearance of such behavior.
- We will provide a safe and harassment-free work environment for all of our employees.
- We will build the team by assisting those around us to be the best, and striving for the best in ourselves.
- We will let our actions speak for us and honor those who have preceded us. Our work will lay the foundation for those who will follow us.
- We will embrace the challenges and honor the vast achievements of the U.S. Forest Service.
- We will respect the system of safety checks and balances our team abides by and bring each other home safe every time.
CREW CONTACT
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MALHEUR RAPPEL CREW
ADDRESS 72000 Airport Rd. John Day, OR 97845
PHONE 541.575.3384
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