SAN DIEGO -- San Diego's fire chief showed off the city's newly purchased firefighting helicopter Wednesday.

The $4 million Bell 212 is equipped with a 375-gallon water tank, searchlight, rescue and medical equipment, video cameras and night vision gear.

Copter 1 will "keep small brush fires small" and save the lives of both firefighters and citizens, fire Chief Jeff Bowman said.

The city was without a helicopter during the early stages of the disastrous Cedar Fire in 2003 because its lease had expired just days before.

Both the city and county continued leasing helicopters until they could arrange purchases.

Copter 1, which will respond to calls in both the city and the county, was bought with funding help from the Barona Band of Mission Indians, the Sycuan and Viejas Bands of Kumeyaay Indians, Scripps Health, the Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies and Sunroad Enterprises.