DATE:
October 21, 2025
05
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
AUTHORITY FOR COUNTY FIRE TO OPERATIONALIZE AN AERIAL FIREFIGHTING PROGRAM, APPROVE THE SINGLE SOURCE PURCHASE AND OUTFITTING OF A SIKORSKY S70 FIREHAWK HELICOPTER, EXTEND AN AGREEMENT WITH SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC FOR REGIONAL AERIAL FIREFIGHTING RESOURCES, AND ESTABLISH APPROPRIATIONS (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
On January 28, 2025 (16), the Board of Supervisors (Board) took several actions to bolster wildfire preparedness, response, and educational efforts in our region, including directing the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to identify funds to purchase a night-flying helicopter for San Diego County Fire (County Fire) to staff and conduct night-time water drops on wildland fires in our region. County Fire has been working to identify acquisition options, financing, funding for debt payments, staffing, maintenance, and operational support.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), County Fire's operational partner for fire protection and emergency medical services, has fully transitioned to the Sikorsky S70 Firehawk and maintains 16 of these in their fleet for aerial firefighting. The Sikorsky S70 Firehawk has been determined by County Fire staff to be the most effective helicopter platform for attacking wildland fires due to its durability, increased water storage capacity, and ability to remain in the air longer than other platforms. To increase aerial resources in the San Diego region, and through the existing Cooperative Agreement between the County of San Diego (County) and CAL FIRE, CAL FIRE has offered, indefinitely, to cover staffing, fuel, and maintenance costs if the County purchases a Sikorsky S70 Firehawk. San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) purchased a Sikorsky S70 Firehawk helicopter for firefighting purposes but that helicopter has not yet been deployed. SDG&E has offered to sell their aircraft to the County so that County Fire can u...
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