Helicopter dip tank will provide firefighters critical access to water for aerial fire suppression, part of district’s larger effort to increase wildfire resilience
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California:
WHAT: |
Metropolitan Water District will be joined by representatives from Los Angeles County Fire Department and Rolling Hills Estates to inaugurate and demonstrate a new strategically located fire-fighting facility in the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The Palos Verdes Reservoir Dip Tank will allow aerial firefighters to save critical time and more effectively fight fires by providing a quick-fill water source in an area highly vulnerable to wildfires. |
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WHEN: |
10 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19 |
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WHERE: |
Palos Verdes Reservoir, 2300 Palos Verdes Drive N, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 |
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WHO: |
Adán Ortega, Jr., Board chair, Metropolitan Water District |
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Debby Stegura, mayor, Rolling Hills Estates |
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Shane Chapman, assistant general manager, Metropolitan Water District |
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Robert Harris, deputy fire chief, Los Angeles County Fire Department |
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VISUALS: |
Live demonstration of a firefighting helicopter taking water from the helicopter dip tank as it would in an actual fire. |
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BACKGROUND: The Palos Verdes Reservoir is a covered, treated water reservoir in the Palos Verdes Peninsula, a high fire hazard zone. Following the Palisades and Eaton Fires in January, Metropolitan, in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, installed a helicopter dip tank to help protect critical infrastructure and homes in this vulnerable area. The open-top tank holds nearly 4,000 gallons of water and can be filled in five minutes and automatically refilled during use. This is Metropolitan’s second helicopter dip tank. The first was unveiled earlier this month at the Robert B. Diemer Water Treatment Plant in Yorba Linda. These facilities are part of Metropolitan’s climate adaptation and fire management planning strategies. |
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Contacts
Rebecca Kimitch, (213) 217-6450; (202) 821-5253, mobile; rkimitch@mwdh2o.com
Maritza Fairfield, (213) 217-6853; (909) 816-7722, mobile; mfairfield@mwdh2o.com
