FRESNO (KMJ) — One of Fresno County Sheriff’s Office two helicopters is getting a brand new replacement.
Deputies currently have access to two helicopters to assist crime fighting from the sky. The current Eagle One and Eagle Two have been with the department since 1996, but they were actually 1991 models when they were bought meaning they date back to before Bill Clinton was President.
“The Board of Supervisors approved the replacement of one of our helicopters”, explains Sheriff Margaret Mims. “It will be replaced a with brand new upgraded model. Getting this approval to bring the money in to purchase that helicopter is very important.”
“We are moving the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office forward with necessary resources to keep our community safe.”
The McDonnell Douglas MD 530F will cost $3.5 million, with funds from the Sheriff’s 2015-2016 budget, prior year’s revenues, and Federal Asset Forfeiture funds used to pay for it. The two remaining choppers will be combined to bring one up to complete working order.
“We’re going to evaluate both helicopters and use the components from both to make sure that the helicopter that we keep is most air worthy and then trade in the other helicopter”, continues Sheriff Mims. “So we’re still evaluating which one we’re going to keep.”
Crime fighting equipment on the helicopter that’s removed from service, such as the FLIR thermal imaging infrared camera and Nightsun searchlight, will be removed and installed on the new one.
The Sheriff’s Office say the new model will offer more power, carry more weight, and has the ability to fly at higher elevations in hotter weather.
