FAQ'S
Please refer to this page for a list of common questions and additional items you will need. If we haven't answered your questions here, please Contact Us!
Heli-Hydrant
What is A Heli-Hydrant?
Our patented Heli-Hydrant is a fire hydrant for a helicopter. Instead of accessing reservoirs and lakes which are often far away from an active fire, helicopters can fly quickly to strategically installed Heli-Hydrants. Upon approach, the pilot simply activates the tank’s valve system through radio remote control in order to siphon the water. The tank, connected to existing city or county water supplies, fills on demand. When not in use, the tank drains and remains dry until needed.
This new and more efficient system of water-gathering does not require ground support crews, leaving more firefighters to form ground support crews for the crucial initial attack.
This new and more efficient system of water-gathering does not require ground support crews, leaving more firefighters to form ground support crews for the crucial initial attack.
How does THE TECHNOLOGY work?
The Heli-Hydrant tank fills by pilot-controlled remote control, and empties by pilot-controlled remote control. No ground personnel needed.
Heli-Hydrant tanks can fill multiple helicopters in a row. The tank itself is low-cost and has a small environmental footprint. Therefore, many Heli-Hydrants can be strategically placed in fire-endangered areas. This ensures efficient access to water across a much larger wilderness area.
When no longer needed, the Heli-Hydrant system drains and remains dry until activated again.
Heli-Hydrant tanks can fill multiple helicopters in a row. The tank itself is low-cost and has a small environmental footprint. Therefore, many Heli-Hydrants can be strategically placed in fire-endangered areas. This ensures efficient access to water across a much larger wilderness area.
When no longer needed, the Heli-Hydrant system drains and remains dry until activated again.
Is a heli-hydrant a tank or a basin or both?
Each Heli-Hydrant site is designed to meet the needs of its unique location. Some sites will have a tank and others will have basins. Heli-Hydrants come in a variety of sizes and colors.
Where will communities place these sysytems?
Each Heli-Hydrant is placed strategically within the water grid system and the environment. The sysytem is appropriate for areas with a high potential for fire and minimal water resources for helicopters to access. Our subject matter experts are available to help communities identify how and where Heli-Hydrants can provide water to fires faster. Contact our fire expert here.
Who installs HELI-HYDRANTS?
Whaling Fire Line Equipment Inc.
How does A HELI-HYDRANT get water?
Heli-Hydrants get water from the municipal water system just like a hydrant or a sprinkler system in a building. Contact our water expert here.
How do I, as a citizen, bring HELI-HYDRANT SITES to my community?
Contact us for more information. Contact the water department or fire department in your community and share your thoughts on improving the firefighting capabilities of your community.
Feel free to call us at Whaling Fire. We can help.
Feel free to call us at Whaling Fire. We can help.
As a developer, can I plan HELI-HYDRANT sites into new communities?
Yes, a benefit of new construction is greater flexibility in location of sites. Strategizing around the best placement for a Heli-Hydrant in a community or housing development is best done early on in the community planning stages.
What about Mosquitoes?
Typically, each Heli-Hydrant is dry when not in use and only has water when the firefighting pilot sends the signal and request the valve to fill the tank or basin. After use/ the fire is out, the tank or basin drains and is again dry until the next use.
What color is the Tank or Basin?
Multiple colors are available and special requests can be accommodated.
The Whaling Pack
items you will need to purchase
Nozzle: We recommend a small barrel (GSA Red, 8-24 or 10-40), please see photos below. Hose: It must be the light weight type. Our recommendation is the "Niedner - Hotline" with 100ft lengths being best. You will also need flagging tape.
The WHALING pack is made from what type of material?
The Whaling Pack is made of durable Cordura and DT thermoplastic.
What are the dimensions of the single pack?
The Single Pack measures 24x14x6.
what are the dimensions of the double pack?
The Double Pack measures 36x20x6.
What payment methods do you accept?
How is my order shipped and when can i expect to receive it?
Please refer to our Shipping Policy page.