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Fire eaters : the people and aircraft combatting wildfires over the last century / by Pigott, Peter,author.;
Includes bibliographical references and index."The riveting history of how aircraft have transformed the fighting of wildfires. Throughout history, when threatened by wildfires our only defence was to pray for rain and run -- until aircraft changed the way we fight fires. Beginning with the Canadian "H-Boats" in 1924, aircraft have become indispensable in detecting and extinguishing wildfires. Fire Eaters tells the incredible stories of the Ontario Provincial Air Service, the first government aerial fire suppression organization in history; one of its pilots, Carl Crossley, who invented the water scoop-up and drop-off system; and the Canadair CL-215, the first purpose-built water bomber. Today, helicopters with "Bambi Buckets" and snorkels can dump water while hovering directly over the flames, and Air Tractors and Dash 8-400AT air tankers not only perform a crucial role in saving communities but also protect our ecosystem. Satellites -- unmanned aircraft able to fly for sixteen hours, even overnight when manned aircraft do not -- and artificial intelligence already play a decisive role in fire management. But it is the men and women of the aerial fire service who have really changed the way we fight fire around the world. Their bravery and dedication mean that response times are fast, fires can be contained sooner, and people have the chance to save rather than lose everything"--
Subjects: Ontario. Provincial Air Service; Aeronautics in wildfire control; Air pilots; Airtankers (Forest fire control); Wildfires;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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Overkill / by Bell, Ted,author.;
"Putting it all on the line to rescue his kidnapped son pits counterspy Alex Hawke against Russian President Vladimir Putin in this action-packed thriller from New York Times bestselling author Ted Bell. On a ski vacation in the Swiss Alps high above St. Moritz, Alex Hawke and his young son, Alexei, are thrust into danger when the tram carrying them to the top of the mountain bursts into flame, separating the two. Before he can reach Alexei, the boy is snatched from the burning cable car by unknown assailants in a helicopter. Meanwhile, high above the skies of France, Vladimir Putin is aboard his presidential jet after escaping a bloodless coup in the Kremlin. When two flight attendants collapse and slip into unconsciousness, the Russian leader realizes the danger isn't over. Killing the pilots, he grabs a parachute, steps out of the plane. and disappears. Hawke has led his share of dangerous assignments, but none with stakes this high. To save his son, he summons his trusted colleagues, Chief Inspector of Scotland Yard Ambrose Congreve, former U.S. Navy SEAL Stokley Jones, Jr., and recruits a crack Hostage Rescue Team--a group of elite soldiers of fortune known as "Thunder & Lighting." Before they can devise a rescue plan, Hawke must figure out who took his boy--and why. An operative who has fought antagonists around the globe, Hawke has made many enemies; one in particular may hold the key to finding Alexei before it's too late. But an unexpected threat complicates their mission. Making his way to "Falcon's Lair," the former Nazi complex created for Hitler, Putin is amassing an impressive armory that he intends to use for his triumphant return to Moscow. Only one man can smash the Russian president's plan for domination--a master counterspy who will cross every line to save his son. and maybe save the world itself in the bargain"--
Subjects: Thrillers (Fiction); Spy fiction.; Hawke, Alex (Fictitious character); Intelligence officers; Kidnapping;
Available copies: 1 / Total copies: 1
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