San Diego County approves grant for firefighting helicopter

Reported by the Times of San Diego, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved fire-safety measures, which included the acceptance of a federal grant to help purchase a firefighting helicopter.

The board approved a $3.75 million federal grant, with the money to be used for the purchase of a twin-engine firefighting helicopter. County officials said the helicopter will also help on search and rescue missions as well as the suppression of wildfires.

“When a fire starts and lives are in danger, every second counts. The new firefighting helicopter will help suppress flames and rescue people in harm’s way,” said Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, Vice Chair of the board.

The board also approved a $3.41 million federal grant to reduce fire risks in heavily vegetated areas.

Lawson-Remer said: “Clearing vegetation along roads, especially in our unincorporated areas, is a preventative measure to reduce the possibility of fires along evacuation routes. We adopted a wildfire evacuation preparedness plan last year, and this will help us continue to put it into action.”

In August, the council of San Diego approved plans to lease three helicopters for the police department.