Cloudburst Fire Bucket expands US and Canadian footprint through Boost Systems partnership

IMS New Zealand, the company behind the Cloudburst Fire Bucket, has strengthened its presence in the US and Canadian helicopter firefighting market through a new partnership with North Vancouver-based Boost Human External Cargo Systems. Under the agreement, Boost will serve as the exclusive US and Canadian representative for Cloudburst products, providing localized sales support, technical expertise, and in-region inventory for operators.

The partnership comes as IMS introduces its latest Monsoon Valve technology, a development designed to integrate seamlessly with Boost’s Quick Release Cargo Basket.

The new valve retains the Cloudburst Fire Bucket’s multi-drop capability while improving discharge flow rates and performance, which can make a tangible difference for helicopter crews tasked with protecting communities from increasingly severe wildfires.

“We’re already seeing the benefits for operators in North America,” said Richard Lane, Founder and CEO of IMS. “Through Boost, we can deliver faster support and ensure equipment is available where and when it’s needed. Having a strong partner like Boost, who understands both external load operations and the firefighting market, is a real advantage for us and our customers.”

This fire season, the US/Canadian customer base is expanding, with multiple 1,000L (263gal) Cloudburst Fire Buckets entering service with new clients, while existing operators have added 1,600L (421gal) units to their inventories. Operators cite the Cloudburst Fire Bucket’s simplicity, rugged construction, multi-drop capability, and precise delivery as key factors in their adoption.

With US and Canadian operators increasingly looking for reliable, easy-to-service aerial firefighting tools, IMS believes the Boost partnership will help expand Cloudburst Fire Buckets presence across the region. “The market here is growing rapidly,” Lane said. “Fires are getting larger and seasons are getting longer. Having equipment that can keep pace with that reality is critical, and that’s what we’ve designed Cloudburst to deliver.”

IMS has partnered with BOOST Systems to enhance aerial firefighting capabilities in Canada and the US.