The Los Angeles County Fire Department has welcomed the arrival of two contracted amphibious “Superscoopers” and one Erickson Air-Crane helitanker, as the height of Southern California’s fire season gets underway during a three-year statewide drought.

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These three aircraft join the Department’s own fleet of nine helicopters to help County firefighters provide robust air attack on brush fires, as announced by County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and Fire Chief Daryl Osby at a press conference today at the Van Nuys Airport.

“The Superscooper’s ability to scoop water from the ocean or any water source, and drop over 1,600 gallons on a fire gives us greater capacity than most of our own helicopter fleet,” says Osby. “The Superscooper and the Erickson helitanker provide the aerial might we need to knock down brush fires before they grow large and out of control, especially in Santa Ana wind conditions.”

From now until the rainy season begins, these aircraft will be automatically deployed on all first alarm brush responses.

Founded in 1923, the Los Angeles County Fire Department is an international leader of the fire service, and one of the largest emergency service agencies in the world.  Each day, more than 900 emergency responders are on duty to provide fire protection, life safety and environmental protection services to more than four million residents and commercial businesses in Los Angeles County’s 2,296-square-mile area. The Department remains a proud frontrunner in wildland and urban firefighting technology, offering specialized training opportunities in Urban Search and Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, Hazardous Materials, Air Operations and Homeland Security. Behind the scenes, more than 800 dedicated business professionals help carry out the mission.

Story from SCV News

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