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New dedicated heli-firefighting fleet with fast buckets

June 30, 2009, Calgary – A new fleet of fully-equipped helicopters dedicated to aerial firefighting will operate in Lebanon this year, using the FAST Bucket and accessories to make its efforts more effective.  

Feu Vert, a non-profit organization responsible for the protection of the historic cedar forests throughout the country, funded the acquisition of the aircraft and FAST systems after a technical committee comprised of several agencies reviewed equipment options and made recommendations.

The new Lebanese fleet will be made up of three S-61 helicopters equipped with the FAST Bucket aerial fire fighting system manufactured by Absolute Fire Solutions (AFS).  In addition, 10 complete FAST systems were chosen to modernize and expand the country’s UH-1H fleet’s capabilities.

To outfit both the UH-1H and S-61 aircraft this season, the Feu Vert technical committee selected AFS’s versatile FAST Bucket because of its advanced technology, ease of use, and lightweight characteristics.  Equipped with the FAST Fill powered pump-fill option and the FAST Foam retardant dispensers, the 16 FAST buckets were selected to equip this fleet by a technical committee after comparing the unique features of the FAST with other conventional helicopter firefighting buckets.

 “We wanted the very best solution for the introduction of aerial firefighting capability for our country.  The lightweight FAST bucket, with its cockpit-controlled volume and multi-drop capability, allows us to get the most retardant on the fire per flight hour, and makes the FAST Bucket the best value for our program.\" said Fadi Saab, a senior member of the Feu Vert Selection Committee.  “The simplicity of the FAST system, and its powered fill and foam accessories, was also a critical factor in our decision”.

Of the sale, AFS President Steve Matthews comments, “We are pleased our FAST bucket product was chosen to support the Feu Vert mission.  This important sale marks the first delivery of our FAST bucket product into the Middle Eastern Region, and represents the 15th country where our buckets and full suite of accessories are being used.  Operators and Governments worldwide are starting to realize that they have a choice – they do not have to accept the limitations of a conventional bucket, and in these challenging budgetary times, they appreciate the increased effectiveness of the FAST system.”

AFS is a Calgary-based company that introduced the FAST Bucket to the helicopter firefighting market in 2007.  The full line of FAST products is available through worldwide distribution partners, Simplex Manufacturing Company of Portland, Oregon, and Tempest Heli-Parts of Prince George, Canada.