Photo by Ryan Grothe.Īccording to the manufacturer, the 412 is equipped with the Bell BasiX Pro™ Integrated Avionic System: The county plans to order two more 412EPX helicopters in the future.Īll deputy pilots will complete ground and flight training as well as safety and familiarization training with the new helicopter before the 412 begins flying next year. This begins the phasing out of the current fleet of three Bell 205s which were built in the 1960s. It includes a flight deck with precision navigation to track and respond to incidents and is equipped with a bucket to help with water drops on a fire. The new patrol helicopter is the Bell 407GXi, which is dedicated to law enforcement operations 24 hours a day. Tony Mecham, County Fire and CAL FIRE San Diego Unit Chief, said the acquisition will improve response to both wildfires and remote area rescues. With a cruise speed of 230 km/h (142 mph) and a range of 672 km (417 miles), the Bell 412EPX has the capability for long-range duty at impressive speed.Ĭost of the helicopter was $15.7 million, using the department’s budget and funds from Proposition 172 ( PDF) - the Local Public Safety Protection and Improvement Act of 1993. This is the newest helicopter for the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. San Diego County’s new Bell 412EPX helicopter is equipped with a 375-gallon tank for water or foam fighting fires. There can be seven firefighters seated in the back for fires. The crew will include a deputy pilot, a CAL FIRE captain, and a paramedic. The 2023 Bell 412EPX is equipped with a 375-gallon tank that can drop water or foam. Sheriff Kelly Martinez introduced the new fire helicopter and a patrol helicopter, a $21 million investment for the two, at the Aerial Support to Law Enforcement Agencies base in El Cajon. Fire photographer Ryan Grothe attended a San Diego County Sheriff’s Department press conference last week as officials showed off their new firefighting helicopter.
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