Mandate TCAS Equipment on All CAL FIRE Contracted Aerial Firefighting Aircraft
Mandate TCAS Equipment on All CAL FIRE Contracted Aerial Firefighting Aircraft
The Issue
On August 6th, 2023, a tragic incident occurred during the Broadway fire in Cabazon, California. Two CAL FIRE-contracted helicopters collided mid-air while responding to the fire. This devastating accident claimed the lives of Fire Captain Tim Rodriguez, Assistant Chief Josh Bischof, and civilian pilot Tony Sousa.
This heartbreaking event could have been prevented if both helicopters had been equipped with Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS). TCAS is an aircraft collision avoidance system designed to reduce the incidence of mid-air collisions between aircrafts. It monitors airspace around an aircraft for other aircraft equipped with corresponding active transponders and gives warning of possible collision risks.
Only the aircraft with Rodriguez, Bischof, and Sousa was equipped with this critical piece of equipment. If CAL FIRE truly took the safety of their courageous firefighters as seriously as they say they do, they would require all aircraft on site to be equipped with TCAS.
In recent years, California has faced some of its largest and most destructive wildfires. In 2020 alone, over 4 million acres were burned in California due to wildfires (source: CAL FIRE). With such high-risk situations becoming increasingly common, it's crucial that we do everything possible to ensure the safety of our brave firefighters and pilots who risk their lives battling these fires.
We call upon our lawmakers and anyone else with the power to mandate that all contracted aerial firefighting aircraft be equipped with TCAS systems. This requirement will significantly reduce the risk of mid-air collisions during firefighting operations and help protect those who protect us from these devastating fires
These three men were husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, and friends to anyone who knew them. They were brave, hard working, passionate firefighters and unwaveringly devoted to their families. Their loss has been indescribable.
Please sign this petition today to support this life-saving initiative for our brave aerial firefighters' safety.
20
The Issue
On August 6th, 2023, a tragic incident occurred during the Broadway fire in Cabazon, California. Two CAL FIRE-contracted helicopters collided mid-air while responding to the fire. This devastating accident claimed the lives of Fire Captain Tim Rodriguez, Assistant Chief Josh Bischof, and civilian pilot Tony Sousa.
This heartbreaking event could have been prevented if both helicopters had been equipped with Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS). TCAS is an aircraft collision avoidance system designed to reduce the incidence of mid-air collisions between aircrafts. It monitors airspace around an aircraft for other aircraft equipped with corresponding active transponders and gives warning of possible collision risks.
Only the aircraft with Rodriguez, Bischof, and Sousa was equipped with this critical piece of equipment. If CAL FIRE truly took the safety of their courageous firefighters as seriously as they say they do, they would require all aircraft on site to be equipped with TCAS.
In recent years, California has faced some of its largest and most destructive wildfires. In 2020 alone, over 4 million acres were burned in California due to wildfires (source: CAL FIRE). With such high-risk situations becoming increasingly common, it's crucial that we do everything possible to ensure the safety of our brave firefighters and pilots who risk their lives battling these fires.
We call upon our lawmakers and anyone else with the power to mandate that all contracted aerial firefighting aircraft be equipped with TCAS systems. This requirement will significantly reduce the risk of mid-air collisions during firefighting operations and help protect those who protect us from these devastating fires
These three men were husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, and friends to anyone who knew them. They were brave, hard working, passionate firefighters and unwaveringly devoted to their families. Their loss has been indescribable.
Please sign this petition today to support this life-saving initiative for our brave aerial firefighters' safety.
20
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on November 23, 2023