On Tuesday, July 5, 2022, the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) participated in a joint news conference with the Orange County Fire Authority, Ventura County Fire Department, Southern California Edison (SCE), and Coulson Aviation, to discuss the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) program and announce the use of four fire-combat aircrafts for the upcoming fire season.
The news conference was held at the Joint Force Training Base in Los Alamitos.
This is the second year these fire agencies have come together to discuss the upcoming fire season and show-off the protection skills of the world’s largest fire suppression helicopters, equipped to drop thousands of gallons of water and fire retardant gel.
SCE has provided $18 million in funding to lease the equipment for the QRF to combat wildfires day or night in a six-county region. Each of the agencies provides staff and covers operational costs whenever the helicopters are needed.
In 2021, the program dropped nearly three (3) million gallons of water on more than 50 wildfires in Southern California, saving countless properties and protecting lives.
With the year-round threat of wildfires, the LACoFD encourages community members to download the Ready! Set! Go! Wildfire Action Plan (fire.lacounty.gov/rsg) for safety tips and information that can protect their family and home.