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San Diego to Buy Second Firefighting Helicopter

San Diego's city council has finalized a deal to buy a second firefighting helicopter for the city's fire department.

San Diego's city council has finalized a deal to buy a second firefighting helicopter for the city's fire department.

The chopper will cost $16 million over 15 years through a lease-to-buy deal with Koch Financial.

San Diego Chief Financial Officer Mary Lewis told the council at Tuesday's meeting that the helicopter's cost will be offset by vacancies in the Fire-Rescue Department.

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The council voted unanimously to approve the deal.

Fire officials hope to have it flying by August, before the arrival of seasonal Santa Ana winds.