The personnel of Zion 's Helitak Module are specially trained in the tactical and logistical use of helicopters for fire management activities. The 8-person crew (3 permanents and 5 seasonals) utilizes a contract helicopter and pilot throughout the fire season. They are based out of the recently constructed Interagency Air Operations Center in Cedar City , Utah .

In 1947, helicopters were first used on wildland fires in the Southern California area and were soon recognized as a valuable tool. Fire managers found that helicopters could rapidly transport personnel and cargo to a fire and then remain on-scene to perform a variety of missions.

Helicopters can be equipped with a bucket or fixed tank to drop water or retardant during firefighting operations. They deliver helitack crews (firefighting personnel) for initial attack, and transport personnel and cargo in support of fires. Some helitack firefighters are trained to rappel from the helicopter to reach fires in remote locations quickly. Helicopters can also carry instruments to provide infrared imaging or to generate digital maps of wildland fires. All helicopter operations must adhere to rigid National Park Service and interagency standards, policies and safety procedures.

When not assigned to wildland fires, helicopters and their trained personnel may be utilized to ignite prescribed fires, flying with helitorches suspended from the helicopter or dropping spherical ignition devices. They also respond to search and rescue, medivac, and resource management operations. One of the most important services helicopters can provide is the ability to remove injured firefighters from the fireline and deliver them directly to emergency medical facilities.