New Fuel Tender Extends San Diego Firefighting Helicopter Use

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The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department put a new helicopter fueling truck in operation last week, increasing the capability of the department's air operations division.  It is the second fuel "tender" for the Air Operations division, and will allow each of the department's firefighting helicopters to work in separate areas without having to return to their base to refuel.

"This can make a critical difference in a fast moving incident like a wildfire," Air Operations Chief Perry Esquer explained.  "You want to keep the helicopters at the scene for as much time as you can."

The truck can carry 1800 gallons of jet fuel.  The $179,235 cost of the vehicle came through a grant from the Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund (IGSDF), a provision of the gaming compact the tribes have with the State of California.  The IGSDF is overseen by the San Diego County Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee and sponsored by the Barona Band of Mission Indians and Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation.

San Diego Fire-Rescue spent an additional $28,771 to outfit the truck with lights, sirens, radios and other specialized equipment.

The City of San Diego purchased its first fire-rescue helicopter, Copter 1, in July 2005 with a primary mission of supporting firefighting operations as well as hoist-air rescue, short-haul air rescue, offshore rescue, helicopter swift water rescue, night vision goggle operations, patient transport, high-rise firefighting, vehicle rescue, large animal rescue, fire mapping, infrared detection, and disaster assessment.

SDFD took delivery of its second helicopter in September 2008 and expanded its air operations to support the two helicopters operating simultaneously, with crews and support staff based at Montgomery and Brown Fields.  San Diego Fire-Rescue's first air operations fuel tender was also purchased with a IGSDF grant.



Author:San Diego Fire-Rescue Dept. Press Release