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The County of San Diego has approved spending $150,000 as part of a new partnership with the City of San Diego and SDG&E that will keep our region safer during the upcoming fire season. The innovative agreement will take advantage of SDG&E’s purchase of a new Erickson Air-Crane S64F Helitanker, which will be used to construct portions of the Sunrise Powerlink, but can also be retrofitted to fight fires.
The County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 on Tuesday to approve the expenditure to help pay for flight time at the recommendation of Supervisor Ron Roberts. Roberts and San Diego City Councilmember Kevin Faulconer announced the partnership at a recent news conference at the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Repair Facility in Kearny Mesa with SDG&E President and COO Michael Niggli.
“Not only is SDG&E making this critical piece of infrastructure available to our County, but also they are willing to help establish a fund that will put this helicopter to use during an emergency,” said Roberts.
The Air-Crane, nicknamed the “Sunbird,” has the largest lifting capacity of any commercial helicopter in the world and is equipped with unparalleled firefighting capabilities. The Air-Crane has the ability to carry and drop up to 2,500 gallons of water on a wildfire, which will be a significant addition to the region’s four existing helicopters that have the capacity to carry only 375 gallons.
“This is a very important step in preparing for the upcoming wildfire season. Having the tools and our firefighters ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice is absolutely essential to knocking down fires before they become catastrophic. This piece of equipment will go a long way in helping us do that,” said Faulconer.
To help fund operations during fire emergencies, SDG&E has offered to contribute up to $150,000, in conjunction with $150,000 from the County and in-kind dispatch services from the City of San Diego.
“While the main focus of the Air-Crane will be constructing the much-needed Sunrise Powerlink project, it will also help to keep our communities safe,” said Niggli. “The helicopter will bolster San Diego’s air-response capabilities and provide local firefighters with a powerful tool in their firefighting tool chest.”
“I am proud and excited that our region will have such an amazing machine to not only help build the critically needed Sunrise Powerlink, but to also keep us safe during fire season,” said Ruben Barrales, president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of the Community Alliance for the Sunrise Powerlink (CASP).
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Click here to see what Supervisor Ron Roberts says about the importance of the Sunrise Powerlink as we strive towards energy independence.
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Click here to see Councilmember Faulconer convey his support for the Sunrise Powerlink and clean, renewable energy in San Diego.
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