Today, the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) held a media conference informing the public of the dangers that mountain area slacklines present to HFD aircraft. The HFD shared examples of how these slacklines create a significant hazard to HFD personnel and the public while greatly impacting emergency operations. Not only can the aircraft collide with the slackline, but rescuers, victims, or the water bucket being hauled below the aircraft as well, which can suffer potential catastrophic consequences.
HFD personnel have observed an increase in slacklines being rigged in these mountain areas, which may force the HFD’s aircraft to divert their course, thus jeopardizing life-saving efforts during rescue and wildland fire incidents.

“Due to the location of rescue and wildland fire emergencies, the HFD’s flight operations are primarily at a low-altitude in valleys or on ridgelines. Unmarked wires or lines in the path of our aircraft are nearly impossible to spot while the aircraft is moving and present a very serious hazard to our personnel that can result in injury or worse, death.

We would like to ask for the community’s assistance in keeping our personnel and those we serve safe by not placing permanent or temporary wires or lines in areas that can affect search and rescue and fire fighting operations,” said Senior Helicopter Pilot Joshua Yeager.

The public can report the location of these slacklines to the HFD so responding units are aware of the hazard and can take appropriate precautions to avoid it by calling 808-723-3473