GEORGETOWN, Del. - The Delaware State Police Aviation Unit put a new helicopter into service in December. The Bell 429 twin-engine helicopter can hold about 2,000 pounds more than the aircraft that served before it.
Sergeant William White says DSP's last helicopter served for about 15 years. The new one costs around $10 million, but it will actually save taxpayers money. One reason is that DSP trades in its retired aircraft.
"The Office of Management and Budget does a competitive bidding process where we put out the specs for the aircraft and then the companies bid competitively," says White. "That's how we bring cost down."
The aviation unit averages a little over 3,700 missions each year. This upgrade will help with more. White says 50 percent of those missions are for EMS. Law enforcement support missions take up 40 percent. The remaining 10 percent is filled by search and rescue operations.
The helicopter holds 7,000 pounds including fuel and it can carry more people than the one that served before it. The pilot sits up front. The paramedic has a seat in the back, which slides forward so that two patients can fit inside. There is room for two more paramedics if necessary. Sergeant White says it can help the agency transport patients to the hospitals faster.
Sergeant White says the biggest upgrade is the twin-engines, which provide an additional safety margin. Forward Looking Infrared, or FLIR, and track and beam search and rescue features have also been improved.
"We assist the Coast Guard with search and rescue missions," says White. "They will call into our dispatch center and we will go out into the Delaware Bay and either search for a missing vessel or an overdue vessel. Occasionally we'll get to do a rescue in the marsh. Sometimes kayakers will go up into the marsh areas."
DSP uses this Bell 429 and its two other helicopters 24/7 year round. Aside from assisting the agency with missions, they can often be seen at community events.