Scanlon Secures Proposal to Study Use of Chinooks to Respond to Wildfires in Landmark Disaster-Recovery Legislation
Washington,
August 2, 2022
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) voted last week to pass the Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act, a package of 49 disaster-related recovery and response bills that will fund critical drought resiliency infrastructure improvements. Language secured by Rep. Scanlon in the package directs federal agencies to conduct a study on the usefulness of CH-47 Chinooks in responding to wildfires. The CH-47 Chinook is manufactured in PA-05 at Boeing’s Ridley Park facility. Chinook helicopters are currently used in several western states to fight wildfires and conduct search and rescue operations. Notably, southern California has successfully used modified Chinooks to fight wildfires as part of the state’s “Quick Reaction Force.” These modifications allow the Chinook to carry up to 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant, more than most other firefighting aircraft. “My district is the proud home of the Army’s CH-47F Block II Chinook program, and hosts more than 4,000 skilled men and women who build the best heavy lift helicopter in the world,” said Rep. Scanlon. “The Chinook facility in Ridley Park is a critical regional economic engine that represents the absolute best of American manufacturing. Inspired by California’s recent success with using modified Chinooks to fight wildfires, I look forward to investigating how the Chinook can serve larger, more coordinated relief efforts across the nation.” This action follows Rep. Scanlon’s success earlier this month in once again securing funding for the CH-47F Block II Chinook program in the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Find a summary of the Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act here. ### |
