Riverside County Sheriff’s Helicopters Grounded By Budget Deficit
Inside a hangar at Hemet Ryan Airport, Riverside County Sheriff’s helicopter pilots gear up for a full day of training. The volunteer Blythe Search and Rescue Team is along for the ride.
The Aviation Unit is made up of deputies with 43 years experience. Last year, they flew over 2,200 hours. The Sheriff’s Offic have five helicopters and one plane in its fleet. On this Saturday, the team focuses on rescues using the helicopters hoist. A deputy is strapped to the helicopter and dangles over the side as search and rescue team members are hoisted up 75 feet and into the helicopter.
“We run at the very edge of the envelope every time with safety that’s why we practice,” said Cpl. Andy Rasmussen, a veteran with the Aviation Unit. He’s the main pilot within the special ops team.
They go over mountain top rescues and the equipment used to rescue stranded hikers. This year so far, the Aviation Unit has plucked 11 hikers from nearby mountains. It’s what they train for in order to do it right.
“When you know they’re on their way, it’s an instant feeling of relief,” says Bill Royer, a volunteer Blythe Search and Rescue Team member.
But the blades might not rotate as much. In an effot to chop away at the Riverside County’s budget deficit, Sheriff Stan Sniff cut the Aviation Unit’s budget by close to a $1 million. At the end of the year they could safe even more by flying less, training fewer days and going on less rescues. Six Aviation Unit deputies will be put back in patrol cars.
Less flight time means if you’r stuck on a mountain and it’s not life-threatening, then they might not fly. A ground unit will rescue you even if you have to stay on the mountain overnight.
For high-risk pursuits and search warrants the helicopters will still be flown to protect deputies on the ground. “Patrol communications, officer safety, 10 deputies can be on the ground and we can be in the sky keeping them safe,” said Rasmussen. “We’re not detectible like a car on the streets.”
A final budget hasn’t been passed by County Supervisors.
