CHAIRMAN BILL HORN

SUPERVISOR DIANNE JACOB

San Diego County Board of Supervisors
Contacts: Anita Lightfoot, 619-550-9798, anita.lightfoot@sdcounty.ca.gov
Steve Schmidt, 619-206-9108, steve.schmidt@sdcounty.ca.gov

NEWS ADVISORY

HELICOPTER ADDS MUSCLE TO COUNTY FIREFIGHTING

WHAT:

San Diego County is adding a third helicopter to its firefighting fleet, beefing up
regional air support in time for the high-risk fall wildfire season.
The Bell 205 A-1 ++ will be based at Gillespie Field in El Cajon and flown by
ASTREA, the Sheriffs Department aviation unit. It can hoist critical equipment,
ferry firefighters to remote spots and includes a 375-gallon water tank for fire
suppression.
Chairman Bill Horn called for the new helicopter in the wake of the May 2014
wildfires. His proposal was later included in a county study, initiated by
Supervisor Dianne Jacob, that recommended additional improvements in fire
protection.

WHEN:

Thursday, Oct. 8, 11:00 a.m.

WHERE:

Gillespie Field
ASTREA Base
1745 N. Marshall Ave., El Cajon

WHO:

Chairman Bill Horn

Supervisor Dianne Jacob
Chief Tony Mecham, San Diego County Fire Authority/CAL FIRE

VISUALS:

The Bell helicopter, ASTREA team and firefighters.

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