Orange County Fire Authority Lets Firefighting Helicopter Contract Lapse

The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) faced a significant challenge this past week when a crucial firefighting helicopter contract lapsed. This situation raises concerns about the future of air support during potential wildfires in the region.

Helicopter Contract Expiry: What It Means for Orange County

The Quick Reaction Force (QRF) program, a collaborative initiative between Southern California Edison, Los Angeles and Ventura County Fire Departments, and the OCFA, has been instrumental in air firefighting efforts. The QRF includes three helitankers capable of carrying 3,000 gallons of water, essential for rapid fire suppression.

Leadership Disputes and Accountability

Brian Fennessy, outgoing chief of the OCFA, expressed disappointment over the contract’s expiration on January 1, 2026. He stated that the OCFA Board of Directors failed to approve a new agreement necessary to continue QRF operations.

Fennessy pointed out that he and his staff had made efforts to inform new board members about the program’s significance for safeguarding lives and property. However, a special meeting set for December could not proceed due to a lack of a quorum.

Differing Perspectives from Board Members

Amidst the leadership turmoil, OCFA Board member Donald Wagner criticized the process leading to the contract lapse. He claimed that communication breakdowns contributed to the failure to secure a new agreement.

• Wagner argued that chiefs should have coordinated with board members for available dates during the holiday season.
• He described the situation as “absolute government ineptitude,” blaming Fennessy for not adequately addressing the board’s financial commitments regarding a new contract.

Future of QRF Helicopters

Despite the contract’s expiration, Southern California Edison has clarified that the QRF helicopters will continue to be deployed in Orange County. The difference will be that they will no longer be operated by OCFA firefighters.

As of now, T-J McGovern has stepped in as the acting chief of the OCFA. The future of aerial firefighting in Orange County relies heavily on the decisions made by current leadership and board members in the upcoming months.

This lapse has spotlighted the critical need for effective communication and planning within the OCFA, especially as the wildfire season looms.