San Diego Regional Fire Helicopter Program

The San Diego Regional Fire Helicopter Program was established during the summer of 2002 to fill a dangerous gap in aerial firefighting resources in San Diego County [http://www.10news.com/news/1525525/detail.html] . For several years, a two Bell 205s from Kachina Helicopters were used under contract by the the County. A Bell 212HP was purchased by the City and put into in service in July 2005 [http://www.sandiego.gov/fireandems/about/copter1.shtml] with the help of $200,000 from the San Diego Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies. In early 2008, the City purchased a Bell 412 which was was put in service in August. Owned by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, the helicopters, are known by the call signs Copter 1 and Copter 2, respectively. They are capable of carrying 375 gallons of water or retardant and up to 15 personnel. Their most common firefighting application is initial attack, performing quick knockdown of brush fires in urban canyons and preserves, allowing ground ground crews easier suppression. During major conflagrations, they will serve as support units, ferrying supplies and airlifting injured firefighters as well as routine water dropping. Though primarily used in wildland firefighting, there have been a few structural applications as well. In addition to firefighting, the helicopters are an invaluable tool in performing aerial rescues such as extracting injured hikers from areas unaccessible by ground crews as well as airlifting victims from vehicle accidents.

References

* News 10: Fire Helicopter Finally Becomes Reality

* San Diego Fire Department: Air Operations Division