San Diego County will see a new method of combatting wildfires with the unanimous approval from county leaders on Tuesday to purchase a twin-engine helicopter for aerial fire suspension.
The supervisors' decision will allow the Department of Purchasing and Contracting director to negotiate a fair price for a Bell 412 EPX Helicopter, estimated to cost $16 million. Climate change has created a hotter and drier environment throughout the San Diego region.
County leaders cite the importance of ensuring first responders have the regional assets they need to fight fires on a 24-hour basis.
Board chairman Nathan Fletcher made the proposal and said getting the helicopter “has been a long-desired goal,'' as the region deals with a higher risk of wildfires. He also thanked the San Diego County Sheriff's Department for its assistance with funding.
Fletcher added that the county's current fleet of single-engine helicopters, manufactured by Bell, cannot fly at night or carry as much water but a twin-engine helicopter will address those issues.
According to a letter released by Fletcher’s office, the current areal fleet consists of single-engine helicopters built out of the 1960s and 1970s airframes.
“Twin-engine helicopters are more efficient at fighting fires as they can fly at night and carry a larger amount of water. The entire fleet of single-engine helicopters must eventually be replaced,” the letter read.
Supervisor Jim Desmond lauded Fletcher for bringing the proposal forward.
“You need to provide the best firefighting capability possible,'' he said.
San Diego County fire was formed in 2008 to unify the administrative support, communications, support, and training of 15 rural fire agencies to provide around-the-clock protection to 1.5 million acres of the unincorporated community. According to Fletcher’s letter, aerial fire suppression became a critical component of firefighting strategy.
In a related action, supervisors also unanimously approved a roadside vegetation management and evacuation preparedness program, along with a contract with Perimeter Solutions to provide a brand of fire retardant.
