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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 3, 2005 Helicopters exit region to help out restoration By CHRIS CONRAD Mail Tribune Hold tight New Orleans — air relief from the Rogue Valley is on its way. Two Carson helicopters launched from Grants Pass Friday afternoon, beginning the 2,618-mile journey to help alleviate the Big Easy’s suffering by reviving communication systems in the devastated city. One aircraft, hired by AT&T, was headed to New Orleans’ St. Louis Parish to reconstruct the telephone network. "There is a dire need for helicopters," said Joseph Rice, Carson Helicopters director of operations. "We could send two more." The second, ordered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, planned to deliver a repeater to the top of the Superdome to restore radio communications for emergency personnel, Rice said. Advertisement Because no infrastructure for air support has been established in the area, the helicopters’ five-person crews are forced to be entirely self-sufficient for the mission. Both crews were outfitted with about 10 days of supplies, including food and water. A 10,000-gallon jet fuel tanker is accompanying the helicopters because it is unknown whether enough fuel will be available at the scene to keep the aircraft afloat. "They’re not going to be able to rely on any other support," Rice said. "These are self-contained operations." Rice was frustrated by the federal government’s lack of knowledge in what these heavy-duty helicopters can do. "We can pull anything blocking roads with our hydraulic grapples to allow rescue workers to reach people," he said. "We can fill 1,000-gallon water tanks in 30 seconds to drop on burning buildings." The day before the hurricane raged through New Orleans, Carson Helicopters administrators were on the phone with federal agencies, offering their support. "We were on the phone between nine and 10 hours a day, but couldn’t get a confirmation," Rice said. Rice believes that Oregon pilots, who have honed their skills battling forest fires and other disasters endemic to the area, can be an invaluable resource for relief efforts. Carson pilots can drop food and supplies in narrow city streets to people who continue to wait for the National Guard. The company will receive pay of about $15,000 per day for both operations, a discounted price. "Because of the hurricane disaster, we reduced our rate by 25 percent," Rice said. Carson Helicopters is not deterred by skyrocketing fuel costs. "We cut profit to get aid down there," Rice said. Erickson Air-Crane Inc., based in Central Point, is ready to send its helicopters to fight fires and remove debris from New Orleans’ streets. All the government needs to do is ask for aid — which it hasn’t yet done. Like Carson, Erickson has hit bureaucratic roadblocks when dealing with federal agencies. "We’re to the point that we are talking to administrative assistants of decision-makers in the area," Erickson spokesman Dennis Hubbard said. "Right now we are focused on contacting the decision-makers to let them know what our capabilities are," Hubbard said. "We’ve done a number of post-hurricane operations, usually involving powerline restoration." Hubbard said that Erickson pilots are primed and ready to get to Louisiana as soon as possible. "We are getting resources together to head out at a moment’s notice," he said. Reach reporting intern Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail Helicopters exit region to help out restoration ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune reporter Paris Achen contributed to this story. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Advertisement s