TEHRAN — Air units will be launched in Tehran to support firefighters at operational incidents, Tehran’s Fire Department director general has said.

The idea of the air unit was proposed last September by Tehran’s Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Sa’eed Sharifzadeh told Fars news agency. 

“We have discussed different aspects of this scheme and we are now attempting to finance this project,” Sharifzadeh said, adding “We need some 2 trillion rials (nearly $57m) to buy four helicopters with equipment and maintenance expenses as well.”

“Currently we are holding talks with Tehran’s Municipality to buy two helicopters for this unit,” he highlighted.

The Velayat Park, southern Tehran, and the Milad Tower, northern Tehran, are considered as the airports for the helicopters to land and takeoff, he noted.

He further expressed hope that the air unit scheme gets off the ground by the end of the current Iranian calendar year falling on March 20, 2017.

MQ/MG