Helicopter Emergency Medical Short-Haul Rescue
Wildland fires rarely break out in convenient locations. Many ignite on isolated mountain ridges, steep canyons, and rugged terrain where crews must hike long distances to reach the incident. Smokejumpers typically parachute in or are transported by helicopter for the initial attack, followed by hotshot crews who often trek more than 15km to contain the fire.
These firefighters are among the most skilled and physically capable, yet rescuing an injured team member in such harsh terrain is extremely challenging. Carrying a patient out on foot while delivering medical care can take hours, exposing both the patient and rescuers to additional hazards. Tragically, some firefighters have lost their lives before reaching advanced medical treatment.
To solve this decades-long problem, the US Forest Service developed the Emergency Medical Short-Haul Programme—a helicopter extraction technique designed to retrieve critically injured or stranded firefighters from remote wildland locations.
Evolving Wildland Rescue Capabilities
Helicopters have been critical to wildland firefighting since the 1950s. Today’s Helitack crews, typically made up of seven to ten members, perform initial attack, shuttles, reconnaissance, and aerial water drops. By adding specialised training and gear, these crews can become qualified short-haul rescue units, significantly expanding their lifesaving capabilities.
Short-haul rescue is not new. Organisations such as Parks Canada, European alpine rescue teams, law enforcement agencies, and the US military have used this method for years to extract people from hazardous, inaccessible environments.
The Forest Service primarily utilises Type 3 light helicopters like the Airbus AS350 A-Star—an aircraft renowned for reliability. With a top speed of around 250 km/h, these helicopters can reach an injured firefighter in minutes.
Training for Rapid, High-Stakes Missions
Short-haul-qualified crews undergo extensive training and must complete proficiency exercises at least every 21 days. This ensures all personnel—from pilots to emergency medical technicians (EMTs)—remain mission-ready.
A typical mission begins when a firefighter suffers a life-threatening injury in an area where traditional evacuation poses extreme risk. Using the National Wildfire Coordination Group’s 9-Line Protocol, supervisors determine whether a short-haul extraction is necessary.
Once activated, the team assembles quickly: pilot, spotter, short-hauler, EMT, and ground personnel. After briefings and equipment checks, the helicopter launches and conducts a reconnaissance pass before landing at the nearest safe staging zone.
How Short-Haul Rescue Works
The crew rigs a 76-metre (250-foot) short-haul line to the helicopter’s belly hook, supported by a redundant safety system. After final gear checks, the short-hauler and EMT hook into the line and are flown to the patient’s location.
Firefighters on the ground move the injured person to the safest pickup point. Depending on the injuries, patients may be extracted using:
- Screamer Suit – for ambulatory patients
- Backboard or litter – for spinal or traumatic injuries
- Bauman Bag – for added protection during flight
The patient and attendant are lifted clear of obstacles and flown to a nearby landing zone where ground medical teams can take over.
Balancing Speed and Medical Care
One concern among medical professionals is that EMTs cannot provide hands-on care while suspended beneath the helicopter. However, the Forest Service emphasises that short-haul rescue is intended for rapid extraction from hazardous areas, not continuous prehospital care.
In many environments, carrying a patient out for hours over narrow or unstable terrain is far more dangerous and can compromise the quality of treatment. A brief three- to five-minute period without active medical intervention may be the safer option depending on the scenario.
Ultimately, the decision to deploy short-haul depends on many factors: the patient’s condition, terrain, flight distance, and availability of medical support.
A Lifesaving Tool for the Future
Short-haul extraction continues to evolve as crews refine procedures and equipment. While its application is carefully considered for each incident, the programme has already become a vital resource in reducing risks and saving the lives of injured firefighters.
About the Author
Michael Davis
Firefighter and Public Information Officer, Elk Creek Fire Protection District, Colorado. Lead Public Information Officer for the Colorado Wildland Fire & Incident Management Academy and member of the Jefferson County Type III Incident Management Team.
For official wildfire coordination and safety protocols, visit coloradofirecamp.com/ website,
