Date: May 17, 2001	Contact: Darren Pudgil
	tel: (619) 531-5894

ROBERTS GETS "SUPERCOPTER" PLAN OFF THE GROUND
Special Aircraft Would Be First Of Its Kind In San Diego County

SAN DIEGO - The Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies today approved Supervisor Ron Roberts' recommendation to set aside approximately $1 million annually to acquire a desperately-needed piece of
emergency equipment -- a multi-dimensional fire and rescue helicopter capable of both dropping water and transporting a large number of emergency personnel.

"San Diego is one of the only large metropolitan areas in the nation without an aircraft that offers this kind of
capability," said Roberts. "Essentially, this a supercopter. A region our size needs its own fire and rescue helicopter, one centrally-located and ready to respond to every corner of the county 24 hours a day. The simple fact is this helicopter will save lives -- period!"

According to local fire officials, the industry standard is the Bell 412 Twin Turbo Engine model, which has seating capacity for 14 passengers and the ability to transport and discharge nearly 400 gallons of water. It can be leased, staffed and maintained for approximately $1.8 million annually.

Roberts, a member of the Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies (SAFE), an organization that provides services for freeway emergencies such as the call-box system, had proposed earlier this year that the SAFE board allocate approximately $1 million each year for the next five years to lease the helicopter. Today's vote comes nearly two months after the SAFE board voted to conceptually approve Roberts' proposal pending an analysis by the SAFE board's budget review committee.

Additional funding will now be needed, but Roberts is hopeful that the SAFE board's action today will inspire corporate sponsors, individual donors, and other public agencies to step up and allocate the remaining funding.

In addition to dousing flames, this specially-equipped helicopter would be enormously effective in a number of life-threatening scenarios. For example, when a car accident occurs in a remote, hard-to-reach area, the helicopter could aid in a rescue effort by delivering equipment like the “jaws of life."

Lifeguards also would be able to utilize the helicopter to rescue swimmers who get caught out beyond the surf line or trapped along a cliffside.

Other capabilities include flying in paramedics to emergency situations, plucking someone out of a flood channel, and providing rapid roof-top evacuation from high-rise buildings in the event of a fire.

"This helicopter is vitally important to the safety and security of San Diego County residents," said Deputy Fire Chief Michael Burner from the San Diego Fire Department.

"It will be one of the most valuable weapons in our arsenal."