SAN DIEGO, July 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- San Diego Gas
& Electric (SDG&E) and Girl Scouts San Diego are pleased to
announce the completion of a $150,000
helipad at Girl Scouts' Camp Winacka near Julian. This helipad provides a new strategic
landing area for CAL FIRE and emergency responder aircraft in a
key, high-risk fire area.
The helipad is located just 200 yards from Upper Lake at Camp Winacka. The lake became a
dipping station for CAL FIRE
helicopters as a result of restoration work funded by SDG&E in
2013. Now, with the completion of the helipad, a fire-fighting
helicopter can be pre-positioned at Camp Winacka and load water
directly from the lake, saving precious response time in the event
of a backcountry wildfire. CAL FIRE
also will use the camp for logistics training.
"Every second is critical when getting to the scene of a
wildfire," said Tony Mecham,
CAL FIRE and San Diego County Fire Chief. "We thank Girl
Scouts San Diego and SDG&E for providing a valuable asset that
will help us more quickly reach small wildfires and prevent them
from becoming big ones."
The helipad and lake renovation serve dual purposes. During
summer camps and weekend visits, Girl Scouts can fish, canoe, and
engage in science, technology, engineering and math activities,
such as stargazing through telescopes and launching water
rockets.
The helipad also improves the local community's ability to
respond to medical emergencies involving campers, hikers or area
residents.
"We are thrilled that, by partnering with SDG&E to renovate
the lake and create the helipad at Camp Winacka, we are
contributing to emergency response during fire season," said Girl
Scouts San Diego CEO Jo Dee C.
Jacob. "These enhancements will also provide valuable
program space for thousands of Girl Scouts."
"Sealing the lake and building a helipad at Camp Winacka greatly
improve the region's fire preparedness," said John Sowers, vice president of electric
distribution operations for SDG&E. "SDG&E is proud to
support the safety of the region, and we applaud Girl Scouts San
Diego for creating a 'win-win' situation that benefits campers, the
community and CAL FIRE."
Click here for a video that includes a brief interview with
Chief Development Officer Debbie
Rider of Girl Scouts San Diego and aerial views of the lake
and new helipad taken by one of SDG&E's unmanned aircrafts.
SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and
reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4
million electric meters and 868,000 natural gas meters in
San Diego and southern
Orange counties. The utility's
area spans 4,100 square miles. SDG&E is committed to creating
ways to help customers save energy and money every day. SDG&E
is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy
services holding company based in San
Diego. Connect with SDG&E's Customer Contact Center at
800-411-7343, on Twitter (@SDGE) and Facebook.
Founded in 1912, Girl Scouting provides the nation's best
leadership experience for girls. Through Girl Scouts, girls
discover themselves, connect with others, and take action to make
the world a better place.
Girl Scouts San Diego provides activities for 43,000 local girl
and adult members, trains volunteers, and maintains two camps and
four program and service facilities.
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SOURCE San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)