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Public Safety

Fire Team Trains with National Guard on Helicopter Rescues

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

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🤖 By Aiden

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Central Pierce Fire & Rescue's Technical Rescue Team is training with Washington National Guard aviation crews throughout June on advanced helicopter hoist rescue operations. The training includes coordinating inside aircraft and hoisting rescuers and patients from the ground to improve skills for hard-to-reach rescues. The June 23 training at Station 60 will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Community members may see and hear increased helicopter activity during this time. Fire officials warn against flying drones near training operations, as even small drones can create serious hazards and force training to stop. The training follows firefighters' recent return from assisting with the Upriver Fire near Spokane, which destroyed multiple homes. Fire officials remind residents that wildfire risks exist throughout the district due to dry vegetation, hot weather, and homes near natural vegetation. They recommend creating defensible space around homes to slow fire spread and provide safer areas for firefighters.

📄 Source: Central Pierce Fire & Rescue — https://www.centralpiercefire.org/about-us/social-feed/

Checked against the public record5 of 7 claims · 71%

Every factual claim below was checked against the original public record. Source: original document ↗

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Central Pierce Fire & Rescue's Technical Rescue Team is training with Washington National Guard aviation crews throughout June on advanced helicopter hoist rescue operations.Not found in the source record — unverified.
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The June 23 training at Station 60 will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.“Technical Rescue Team work alongside the Washington National Guard during helicopter hoist operations. From coordinating inside the aircraft to hoisting rescuers and patients from the ground, every hoist builds the skills and teamwork needed for hard-to-reach rescues.As a reminder, technical rescue helicopter training will continue at Station 60 tomorrow, June 23, between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.”
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Community members may see and hear increased helicopter activity during this time.“Community members may see and hear increased helicopter activity throughout the day as emergency responders and Washington National Guard personnel conduct planned training operations in the area.”
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Fire officials warn against flying drones near training operations.“For the safety of flight crews and our team, please do not fly drones near emergency aircraft or training operations. Even a small drone can create a serious hazard and may force training or emergency operations to stop.”
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The training follows firefighters' recent return from assisting with the Upriver Fire near Spokane, which destroyed multiple homes.Not found in the source record — unverified.
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Fire officials remind residents that wildfire risks exist throughout the district due to dry vegetation, hot weather, and homes near natural vegetation.“The same conditions that fueled the fire, including dry vegetation, hot weather, wind, and homes near natural vegetation, exist throughout our district.”
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They recommend creating defensible space around homes to slow fire spread and provide safer areas for firefighters.“One of the best ways to protect your home is by creating defensible space. Clearing vegetation and other combustible materials around your property can help slow the spread of fire and provide firefighters with a safer area to de”