Heliport
16th Jun 2004, 02:58
San Diego Union Tribune report County supervisors accept grant to help purchase firefighting helicopter
SAN DIEGO – The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted today to accept a $1.5 million grant awarded to the Sheriff's Department by local Indian tribes to help purchase a firefighting helicopter.
The Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee's grant, funded by the Barona, Rincon and Viejas tribes, will be used to acquire a Type II firefighting helicopter to augment the department's existing fleet.
The helicopter, expected to be in use by May, will be operated by the Sheriff's Department.
"It is a great gift, and we can take advantage of it for the betterment of the county," Sheriff Bill Kolender told the board.
The supervisors postponed approving $600,000 to finance the helicopter's operation until a study is received in about two weeks on the county's aerial firefighting needs.
The county estimates it will cost about $1.9 million to acquire and outfit the helicopter, with the Sheriff's Department funding the additional $400,000.
The board also postponed a decision today on whether to begin soliciting bids for the lease of a Type II helicopter.
The supervisors voted unanimously last month to lease an additional fire and rescue helicopter for six months to bolster the county's fire season resources.
The Bell 205A1 would be equipped to perform firefighting, air rescue and emergency medical services, as part of the San Diego Regional Fire and Rescue Helicopter Program.
The helicopter would cost the county about $1.6 million, with an additional $120,000 provided for on-board firefighting equipment, according to a county report.
It would complement Copter One now leased by the city and the county and operated by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
The county's lack of a dedicated regional firefighting helicopter has been a major issue since the wildfires last October blackened more than 376,000 acres, destroyed more than 2,400 homes and took 17 lives.
http://www.nctimes.com/content/articles/2004/02/26/news/top_stories/2_25_0423_04_27.jpg
Copter One practicing a water drop
SAN DIEGO – The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted today to accept a $1.5 million grant awarded to the Sheriff's Department by local Indian tribes to help purchase a firefighting helicopter.
The Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee's grant, funded by the Barona, Rincon and Viejas tribes, will be used to acquire a Type II firefighting helicopter to augment the department's existing fleet.
The helicopter, expected to be in use by May, will be operated by the Sheriff's Department.
"It is a great gift, and we can take advantage of it for the betterment of the county," Sheriff Bill Kolender told the board.
The supervisors postponed approving $600,000 to finance the helicopter's operation until a study is received in about two weeks on the county's aerial firefighting needs.
The county estimates it will cost about $1.9 million to acquire and outfit the helicopter, with the Sheriff's Department funding the additional $400,000.
The board also postponed a decision today on whether to begin soliciting bids for the lease of a Type II helicopter.
The supervisors voted unanimously last month to lease an additional fire and rescue helicopter for six months to bolster the county's fire season resources.
The Bell 205A1 would be equipped to perform firefighting, air rescue and emergency medical services, as part of the San Diego Regional Fire and Rescue Helicopter Program.
The helicopter would cost the county about $1.6 million, with an additional $120,000 provided for on-board firefighting equipment, according to a county report.
It would complement Copter One now leased by the city and the county and operated by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
The county's lack of a dedicated regional firefighting helicopter has been a major issue since the wildfires last October blackened more than 376,000 acres, destroyed more than 2,400 homes and took 17 lives.
http://www.nctimes.com/content/articles/2004/02/26/news/top_stories/2_25_0423_04_27.jpg
Copter One practicing a water drop