$27,500 Allocated for New Helipad

The City Council set aside funds Wednesday for a new helipad near the Lopez Canyon Landfill that city fire officials said would afford better access to brush fires, among other benefits.

The required $27,500 will be drawn from the Lopez Canyon Community Amenities Trust Fund, which was established in 1991 to help residents in the area around the now-closed landfill.

The ability to fly in and out will improve firefighters’ ability to protect the community in numerous ways, said Annette Castro, chief deputy for Councilman Richard Alarcon. The councilman introduced the helipad motion at the Fire Department’s request.

Dean Cathey, the Fire Department’s assistant chief in charge of emergency services, said there are about a dozen city helipads, which the department calls “Helispots.” They are used for water drops, transporting injury victims and shuttling firefighters to hard-to-reach areas.

“Lopez Canyon offered us a very good place,” he said, adding that Alarcon notified fire officials of the availability of trust fund money. “We usually try to locate these in the hills, as far as we can from residential areas.”

The asphalt landing surface is to be built within the landfill property. Cathey said last year’s closure of the landfill has not affected the fire profile of the area.

Two key helipads already serving the Valley are above the Hollywood sign on Mt. Lee and near the intersection of Coldwater Canyon and Mulholland drives.