Following its move to new company headquarters in Kirchanschöringin in southern Germany, near the Austrian city of Salzburg, Global Helicopter Service (GHS) is now able to fly its helicopters from its home base and offer an aerial firefighting services in Germany and neighbouring countries. This service can be provided in addition to its recently-announced air ambulance service.

The start of summer means that wildfires can become increasingly common, and GHS is available to despatch its experienced crews and Bell 412 helicopters to immediately assist in the extinguishing of fires.

GHS believes that integrated planning, prevention and immediate intervention are critical in the fight against wildfires, and it has pilots and crews with years of experience from firefighting operations in southern Europe and a mission-ready Bell 412 available to carry out firefighting missions seven days a week.

The use of helicopters for aerial firefighting is still developing in Germany, and there are said to be insufficient air assets and pilots with firefighting experience. “This shortcoming and the fact that local officials are not aware of the existing helicopter service results in unnecessary danger to residents and emergency services and costly avoidable environmental damage,” states the operator.

GHS has taken measures to ensure it protects its employees against the COVID-19 outbreak while safeguarding its ability to continue to provide these critical operations that protect local communities and their property.