County of San Diego Bolsters Aerial Firefighting Fleet with $18 Million Helicopter Purchase
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 on Tuesday to approve a proposal to improve the county's preparedness for wildfires.
"It only takes a spark, a downed power line or a stray ember carried by Santa Ana winds or a sudden shift in the weather can turn a quiet afternoon into catastrophe," said County Supervisor Jim Desmond during a news conference before Tuesday's meeting.
Desmond pointed out that over a dozen brush fires have occurred in San Diego in the past week. He urged the board to assess how prepared we are to handle a major wildfire.
"Over the past several weeks with the LA fires, I've heard from countless San Diegans asking the same critical questions. Could this happen? Could that happen here in San Diego County? Are our reservoirs and our hydrants full? Is our brush clear? Do we have all the resources necessary to combat a major fire in San Diego County," he said.
He proposed that the county investigate it thoroughly, including gathering agencies such as the San Diego County Water Authority, SDG&E, and the state insurance commissioner to discuss how we can work together to keep San Diego safe.
Desmond also proposed spending $15-20 million on a new twin-engine helicopter. He said two of the county's current helicopters were built in the 1960s and 1970s. He said a $4 million grant from the federal government could help with the cost.
However, during Tuesday's meeting, the board was told that the twin-engine helicopter it purchased in 2023 has yet to be used for night flying.
A San Diego County Sheriff's Office representative told the board the helicopter was down for eight months due to maintenance issues. He also said training is an issue. Pilots need to learn completely new emergency protocols.
"Its hard for me to go back to my district and say, 'Well we bought them, we're just not using them,'" said Supervisor Joel Anderson.
Supervisor Desmond said the new helicopter will go to San Diego County Fire, while the San Diego County Sheriff's Office will continue to operate the one purchased in 2023. Both departments must agree on training pilots for helicopters.
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department has a new $20 million tool to fight wildfires.
SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department has a new $20 million tool to fight wildfires.
The department unveiled its S-70i Firehawk helicopter Thursday, a modified version of the military’s Black Hawk helicopter.
The aircraft is bigger, faster and capable of dropping more water than the city’s other two helicopters combined. The Firehawk has a 1,000-gallon tank compared to the 375-gallon tanks in Copters 1 and 2.
San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Chief Colin Stowell said the Firehawk, dubbed Copter 3, represents the “latest and greatest in fire suppression and rescue capabilities.”
RELATED: Chula Vista brush fire highlights rare night water drop technique
“San Diego has over 45,000 properties adjacent to canyon rims and open spaces, posing a significant fire risk in our city. The speed of our response and capabilities of our equipment during the initial attack of those vegetation fires is critical,” he said.
With a retractable snorkel, firefighters can refill the Firehawk’s water tank in less than a minute, allowing the helicopter to make more drops in less time, Stowell said.
“Our ability to quickly get into the air and to make a difference will absolutely help to save lives,” said Mayor Kevin Faulconer.
In addition to the crew of three, the Firehawk can carry up to 12 passengers, meaning it can shuttle six more firefighters than its predecessors to hard-to-reach places.
RELATED: Blackhawk Helicopter joins the SDG&E firefighting arsenal
The helicopter also has advanced capabilities for night missions, with a high-intensity searchlight and a state-of-the-art obstacle avoidance system.
San Diego Fire operates the only helicopters in the county outfitted to fight fires at night.
To accompany the new helicopter, the city is building a $13.7 million hangar to house all three helicopters.
“The state-of-the-art, 30,000-square-foot facility will help protect the helicopters from rust and corrosion as well as allow for indoor maintenance work,” said city spokesman Gustavo Portela in a statement.
The city recently completed an Air Ops Division building to house the crew. Previously, pilots and crew members were housed in RVs and trailers and the helicopters were kept outside, Stowell said.
Copyright 2019 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Cal Fire San Diego adds helicopter based in Ramona to region’s aerial firefighting arsenal
RAMONA — Cal Fire San Diego has leased a firefighting helicopter to operate out of the Ramona airport — outfitted with a contract pilot — to bolster the region’s aerial firefighting capability, officials said.
The Sikorsky EH1 helicopter, often called a Skycrane, carries up to 2,650 gallons of water. The helicopter became operational Monday.
It’s the latest addition of aerial firefighting weapons in San Diego County. Earlier this year, the county approved a plan to buy a dual-engine helicopter for the Sheriff’s Department for firefighting, and San Diego Gas & Electric acquired the use of two more choppers for its fleet. The city of San Diego and the U.S. Forest Service also have helicopters used to fight fires.
The state’s $3.4 million contract with a company called Helicopter Transport Services gives Cal Fire exclusive use of the Skycrane and also provides a pilot and mechanics for the aircraft, which can be deployed to neighboring counties as needed. They are considered statewide resources, officials said.
Cal Fire San Diego will have use of the aircraft for one year, with two one-year extensions to the contract possible. The state now has 19 “exclusive use” contracts for firefighting helicopters, including 10 helitankers, a type of copter capable of dropping at least 1,100 gallons of water, foam, or retardant, said Cal Fire Capt. Robert Foxworthy.
Before this agreement, Cal Fire didn’t have any helicopters based in San Diego County, with the closest one based at the Hemet-Ryan Air Attack Base in Riverside County. The helicopter will only be used in the daytime, officials said.
Originally Published:
Need Known 2 years Ago Enhancing Firefighting Capabilities in San Diego
Two years ago, Cmdr. James Grant, a seasoned firefighter with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, shared his expertise on the crucial role twin-engine helicopters play in enhancing firefighting capabilities in the region. With a focus on community safety and public health, Cmdr. Grant explores the cutting-edge technology that's revolutionizing emergency response.
- The current fleet of firefighting helicopters in San Diego is limited, making it challenging to respond to multiple incidents simultaneously, which can put lives at risk.
- The addition of twin-engine helicopters to the fleet will significantly increase response times and allow for more effective firefighting efforts, ultimately saving lives and property.
- The introduction of advanced technology, such as advanced sensors and communication systems, will also enable more accurate and efficient incident command, streamlining the response process and reducing the risk of errors.
8 Years Ago, San Diego's Frontline Against Wildfires: Introducing Goliath
Meet Goliath, the Erickson Sky Crane helicopter that's joining the fight against wildfires in San Diego. With its imposing presence, this aircraft is poised to make a significant impact in the local strategy to quickly suppress fires.
- The helicopter's size is just one of its many advantages, with Captain Guy Qilaman noting that it can carry five times as much water as a normal chopper, making it a powerful asset in the battle against wildfires.
- Goliath's agility and maneuverability allow it to work closely with firefighters on the ground, providing crucial support in the early stages of a fire.
- The helicopter's capabilities are another key takeaway from this discussion, highlighting the importance of airpower in the fight against wildfires and the local strategy to tackle small fires with overwhelming force.
Comments
Post a Comment