DATE:
September 27, 2022
20
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE - ESTABLISHING ADDITIONAL HELI-HYDRANTS AND HELOPODS TO SUPPORT WATER-DROPPING HELICOPTERS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) has supported aerial fire protection in the region by taking numerous efforts to ensure firefighting helicopters are available to provide air support and water drops during local fires. On October 5, 2021 (4), the Board took action to increase the availability of reliable and accessible water sources for the region's firefighting helicopters by directing a feasibility study to identify potential locations and partnerships and to develop a cost analysis and strategy for the implementation of helicopter firefighting technology. Strategic placement of water hydrants can help firefighting helicopters refill with water more quickly and reduce the travel time to refill locations, allowing more frequent water drops in areas that lack water sources. As a result of the additional support, our firefighters' efforts to contain a fire early and mitigate property damage and loss of life are supported.
On January 25, 2022 (1), San Diego County Fire (County Fire) returned to the Board with an update on the general locations within the unincorporated area that would benefit from an additional water source based on criteria that includes helicopter travel times and wildfire risk assessments. Since then, County Fire has developed an ongoing implementation strategy that utilizes two types of hydrant systems, Heli-Hydrants and HeloPods, and interagency collaboration to provide additional water sources for the region's water-dropping helicopters.
Today's request is for the Board of Supervisors to approve the necessary actions to establish additional Heli-Hydrants and HeloPods in San Diego County, including an agreement with the San Marcos Fire Department and the Vallecitos Water District for...
Click here for full text