Hailed at its inception as a joint public-private partnership between the county fire agencies of Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange County and SoCal Edison, the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) program has dropped millions of gallons of water, aiding aerial firefighting efforts during hundreds of fires since its inception in 2021.
The four-aircraft program involves the operation of three Chinook CH-47 helicopters, each capable of carrying 3,000 gallons of water, all led by a Sikorsky S-76 command and control aircraft, piloted by members of the three primary county agencies and Coulson Aviation.
The helicopters could be deployed at a moment’s notice, primarily in a six-county region of Southern California but would be available as needed to fight fires in any of the 15 counties where Southern California Edison (SCE) provides electric utility services, providing aircraft support in areas where tanker planes might not always play a role, particularly at night when those planes are usually grounded.
“The QRF has proven to be a game-changing resource in reducing wildfire risk in Southern California,” a statement from SCE read.
The program established by now-former Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Chief Brian Fennessy in 2021 expired last Wednesday and will not be renewed as originally designed after members of the OCFA board failed to vote to approve a new contract.
The board was set to take a procedural vote to approve the county’s $17.14 million annual net-cost for participation in the QRF’s 2026 program at its Nov. 20, 2025, meeting, however, the item was modified from an item on the board’s consent agenda to a discussion item requiring an individual vote. That vote never took place.
SCE’s statement added the utility “urged the Orange County Fire Authority to approve the agreement before year-end, providing uninterrupted program continuity starting Jan. 6, 2026 – consistent with the unanimous support received in past years. OCFA has opted not to finalize the agreement for 2026… SCE will do everything possible to maintain continuity of this program with our other partners, as safeguarding our communities from catastrophic wildfire is essential.”
While the QRF program still exists for 2026, SCE spokesperson Scott Johnson says the aircraft will now only be operated by pilots and crew from Los Angeles and Ventura County.
Although OCFA did not vote to continue its partnership with the task force, Johnson says the QRF will still respond to fires in Orange County when requested.
“SCE remains committed to wildfire mitigation through grid hardening, enhanced operational practices and situational awareness. Working with local fire agencies, including support of programs such as the Quick Reaction Force, is part of that commitment,” SCE spokesperson Scott Johnson said.
Fennessy’s last day with OCFA was Friday, following his retirement from the agency to lead the newly created U.S. Wildland Fire Service, as its inaugural director.
The OCFA’s acting Fire Chief TJ McGovern shared that he is looking forward to continuing the “mission of protecting life and property throughout Orange County” in a written statement shared with NBC Los Angeles.
The statement continues, adding, “We are fortunate that the OCFA added two new 1,000-gallon-dropping FIREHAWKS in 2024, giving us a four-aircraft fleet that can be bolstered by additional aircraft when requested… these assets, combined with the operational excellence of our Air Operations section, firefighters, and hand crews, provide a high-quality response that keeps our communities well protected during wildfires.”
The next Board of Directors meeting for the Orange County Fire Authority is scheduled to take place on Jan. 22, 2026, at the agency’s operations and training center. As the meeting agenda is not posted, it is not known if the board will discuss the QRF contract to renegotiate its involvement.