US Forest Service National Rappel Training

Wildland Firefighters on Rappel capable crews, come from all over the nation each spring to train at the National Rappel Program’s Rappel Academy at Salmon AirBase, in Salmon, Idaho.
Wildland fire aircraft play a critical role in supporting firefighters on wildland fires. Helicopters also deliver aerial crews called Rappellers to wildland fires. These are specially trained firefighters that rappel from helicopters in order to effectively and quickly respond to fires in remote terrain.
Rappellers may land near a wildfire but if there is no landing zone close by they can utilize their skills to rappel from the hoovering helicopter. Once on the ground, crews fight the fires using hand tools, chainsaws, and other firefighting tools.
Filmed and edited by Charity Parks.

[@D.Frasure]

Thank you to the US Forest Service!

[@winterwolf9969]

Thank you for sharing. I was happy to see a glimpse of what they do. I heard it's very challeging , and for the ones that tried and for the ones that made it, good job. Thanks also for the skilled trainers.

[@intotheforge3954]

That just looks fun

[@NDEfireONE]

Where do I start, I'm sure calling and getting contact with the rappel unit is one but what are they're quals and certs?

[@73goa]

How do I get into this training?

[@wowolfe]

twisty ropessss