Alabama Enhances Public Safety, Adds Search-and-Rescue Chopper

Article

Alabama state troopers have added a new search-and-rescue helicopter to their aerial fleet.

Public Safety Director J. Christopher Murphy unveiled the Bell 407 helicopter, which seats six to fly tactical teams and can handle a 180-gallon “Bambi bucket” to carry water to fight forest fires. The aircraft, which can fly at 150 mph, also can deliver supplies and has a hoist to lift people. It’s equipped with night vision and other equipment to aid in locating people.

At the unveiling Tuesday, Murphy said the chopper’s greater speed and versatility will expand trooper emergency air and rescue capabilities.

He said the helicopter was purchased with a $3 million grant from the Justice Department.

There are eight pilots, plus mechanics and other personnel assigned to the trooper aviation unit. The pilots fly an average of 3,500 hours a year and members are on call 24 hours a day.

DPS said its five fixed-wing planes and eight helicopters are based in Cullman, Montgomery and Fairhope.

Murphy said the worth of helicopters was shown following disasters such as the tornadoes that struck Prattville and Enterprise.

Alabama helicopters were also first on the scene at the Mississippi coast after Hurricane Katrina struck, and DPS pilots spent eight days flying supplies to stranded residents.

Murphy said he knew the helicopter was the right one when he first saw it.

“We felt like it was an omen,” he said. “It was in our blue-and-gray color scheme.”

Information from: The Birmingham News