San Diego County has new fire helicopter(s)

Fire photographer Ryan Grothe attended a San Diego County Sheriff’s Department press conference last week as officials showed off their new firefighting helicopter. 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.

Bell 412
Bell 412EPX photo by Ryan Grothe

The 2023 Bell 412EPX is equipped with a 375-gallon tank that can drop water or foam. The helicopter can seat 14 people. The crew will include a deputy pilot, a CAL FIRE captain, and a  paramedic. There can be seven firefighters seated in the back for fires.

San Diego County's new helicopter
San Diego County’s new Bell 412EPX helicopter is equipped with a 375-gallon tank for water or foam fighting fires. Photo by Ryan Grothe

This is the newest helicopter for the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. 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.

Cost 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. Tony Mecham, County Fire and CAL FIRE San Diego Unit Chief, said the acquisition will improve response to both wildfires and remote area rescues.

The new patrol helicopter is the Bell 407GXi, which is dedicated to law enforcement operations 24 hours a day. 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.

This begins the phasing out of the current fleet of three Bell 205s which were built in the 1960s. The county plans to order two more 412EPX helicopters in the future.

All 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.

San Diego County's new Bell412. Photo by Ryan Grothe.
San Diego County’s new Bell412. Photo by Ryan Grothe.

According to the manufacturer, the 412 is equipped with the Bell BasiX Pro™ Integrated Avionic System:

      • Garmin GTN-750 NAV/COM/WAAS GPS
      • Helicopter Terrain Avoidance Warning System (H-TAWS) capability
      • Power Situation Indicator (single indicator for quick pilot monitoring)
      • Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (NextGen, Standard ADS-B out, Optional ADS-B in)
      • LED cockpit lighting and panels

The 412 is a twin-engine helicopter that enables a pilot to land safely with a backup engine in the event of an engine failure. This is a key safety feature in fighting fires at night, which is planned for future operations. There is a contract in place with the City of San Diego for nighttime firefighting.

San Diego City Bell 412

July 2022 in San Diego on the Margerum Fire — City of San Diego’s Copter 2, a Bell 412, making water drops. The fire threatened homes on Margerum Avenue near Navajo Road but was held to just 2 acres. Ryan Grothe photo

The Aerial Support to Regional Enforcement Agencies (ASTREA) base has provided support to the Sheriff’s Department and partner agencies across the county since 1971. ASTREA averages nearly 6,000 missions annually supporting patrol and fire and rescue calls throughout the region.

Pilot injured during crash of helicopter while fighting fire in Portugal

helicopter crashed Portugal September 1
Helicopter similar to the one that crashed in Portugal September 1. H-60, a Bell 412 operated by Helibravo. Photo by Carlos Miguel Seabra.

The pilot was seriously injured when a helicopter crashed in Portugal September 1 while fighting a wildfire in Amares, in the district of Braga.

The accident occurred in a remote area and it took rescuers two hours to reach the site on foot. The pilot, who had to be extricated from the wreckage, suffered injuries to the pelvic area and legs.

The Lusa News Agency reported that a source linked to the aviation sector said that the Bell 412 operated by Helibravo out of Arcos de Valdevez occurred after a collision with a “very high voltage cable”.

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office to purchase SUBARU BELL 412EPX Helicopter

Bell 412EPX
Bell 412EPX. Bell image.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has signed an agreement to purchase a SUBARU BELL 412EPX helicopter.

In additional to general law enforcement support, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit also aids in personnel and cargo transport, airborne photography, search and rescue operations, wildland fire suppression, and emergency medical transport services.

Other organizations in Southern California that have recently agreed to purchase a 412EPX include San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, and San Diego Gas and Electric.

Certified in 2018, the 412EPX possesses an increased maximum internal weight of 12,200 lbs., external weight of 13,000 pounds, and ability to carry up to 5,000 lbs. of goods with the cargo hook. It is a joint venture between Bell and Subaru.

Photos of firefighting helicopters from Chicago, Sacramento, Kern County, and Santa Barbara County

Updated December 29, 2020

Bell 412EP helicopter, Chicago Fire Department. N682FD
Bell 412EP helicopter, Chicago Fire Department. N682FD. Photo by Jon Goldin, July 31, 2018.

At Fire Aviation we always like to receive photos of fire service aircraft, but we look forward to receiving shots of helicopters that are not often seen over wildland fires. Here are a couple of examples of ships from the Chicago Fire Department and the Sacramento Fire District.

Bell Uh-1H helicopter, Sacramento Fire District
Bell Uh-1H helicopter, Sacramento Fire District. N114FD. Photo by Jon Goldin, Sept. 29, 2018.

Kern County and Santa Barbara UH-1H helicopters are often used on fires in Southern California. These are good shots taken by Jon Goldin, who also took the ones above. Thank Jon!

Bell UH-1H helicopter, Kern County Fire Department
Bell UH-1H helicopter, Kern County Fire Department. N408KC. Photo by Jon Goldin, Jan. 1, 2018
Bell UH-1H helicopter, Kern County Fire Department
Bell UH-1H helicopter, Kern County Fire Department. N407KC. Photo by Jon Goldin, Jan. 1, 2018
Santa Barbara County Helicopter 308
Santa Barbara County Helicopter 308. N205KS. Photo by John Goldin

Updated December 29, 2020 to add photo of Santa Barbara County helicopter.

Bell 412 lands in water after tail rotor strike while refilling water bucket

The tail rotor of a Bell 412 struck a tree while it was attempting to refill its water bucket February 26, 2019 in the northwest part of Spain. The firefighting helicopter (EC-MAQ) operated by Babcock settled upright in a couple of feet of water in the Narcea River in Belmonte de Miranda, Asturias (map).

Photos show damage to the tail rotor. There were no reported injuries.

Park Police helicopter responds to D.C. shooting

During the law enforcement response to the tragic shooting at the Naval Yard in Washington, DC yesterday one of the the U.S. Park Police helicopters got a lot of air time on the television coverage.

According to reports the helicopter was used to insert snipers onto roof tops, serve as an observation platform, and to remove some non-law enforcement personnel from roofs or other areas. At times an armed officer was seen sitting in the open door. In addition to the video above, photos of the helicopter at the scene can be found at Yahoo and the New York Post.

The National Park Service has the helicopters organized within their Homeland Security Division, Icon Protection Branch, Aviation Unit which was created in 1973 with the acquisition of one Bell 206B Jet Ranger. Now they have multiple ships providing 24-hour coverage, including some twin-engine Bell 412EPs.

Last December we first wrote about the Park Police helicopters and included some photos taken during the response to Hurricane Sandy in the New York City area.