To enhance the Fire Department’s fleet of firefighting aircraft, the Board of Supervisors authorized the acquisition of two Sikorsky S70i Fire hawk helicopters for the Department’s Air Operations Section.
“This acquisition supplements our county’s potent aerial fire-fighting arsenal and our ability to knock down wildfires to protect life and property,” Supervisor Barger said.
At a cost of nearly $29.45 million, the two aircraft will be customized to include a 1,000-gallon water tank, custom landing gear, rescue hoist, and other specialized systems. Scheduled for delivery in December 2017, both helicopters are anticipated to be operational by the 2018 fire season.
“These new aircraft will provide upgraded operational capabilities to meet current and anticipated future mission requirements,” the Los Angeles County Fire Department said in a staff report.
