Friday , March 29 2024
Breaking News
Ontario Police get new Patches
Ontario Police get new Patches

County to buy helicopters

Riverside County will purchase two helicopters for its sheriff’s department.

The board of supervisors voted Tuesday to spend $11.5 million on a pair of helicopters from Airbus Helicopters, according to report in The Press-Enterprise.

One will replace a helicopter that crashed last August during a training exercise, the other will replace a 45-year-old model that is not equipped for rescues or flying at night.

About $9.5 million of the purchase cost will come from the county’s general fund, the rest from the insurance settlement that was paid on the crashed helicopter, the report stated.

County officials hope to have the new helicopters flying by next July, but they must first be fitted with extra equipment, including a rescue hoist, infrared heat sensors and a spotlight.

The board did seek competitive bids. The retrofitting almost doubles the price of both helicopters, according to the report.

Check Also

Palm Springs affordable housing project gets state grant

Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation to hold fundraiser

The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation will hold a fundraiser April 19 at the Prescott …