Helicopter to land at ERMS on Sunday morning for Safety Day

Here is some information on the helicopter that will be flying in this Sunday (09/13/2015) for Safety Day. The helicopter is scheduled to arrive at East Ridge Middle School at 11:30 am. 

Eagle One –Stratford Police Helicopter 

Airborne Search and Rescue began in Connecticut after a tragic boating accident in 1992 took the lives of Bruce Nelson and Tom D’Ancona. At the time, CT had no police search and rescue helicopters in the state. Since then, the victim’s families formed the Nelson-D’Ancona foundation, a registered non-profit organization to support the acquisition and operation of a police rescue helicopter. The Old Saybrook Police Department refurbished a surplus UH-1 “Huey” helicopter from the CT Army National Guard and began the Eagle 1 Program. Funding for the operation and refurbishment of the helicopter was provided through the non-profit foundation at no cost to the taxpayer.

In 2002 the aircraft was transferred to the Fairfield Police Department and later in 2009 to the Stratford Police Department. It is staffed on an as-needed basis by pilots and crew from the Stratford, Hamden, Meriden and New Milford Police Departments as well as civilian volunteers. These officers had substantial military training, were current members of the CTARNG and were qualified on several different airframes, including the UH-1. Currently, the airframe is maintained by the Stratford Police Department and stationed at Bridgeport Municipal Airport.

To date, crew members have responded to numerous requests for service including: missing boaters, hikers and swimmers, evidence collection, aerial photography, and homeland security flights. In 2008, the crew of Eagle 1 found a man missing in the Coventry woods for 2 days. The semi-conscious man was airlifted directly to the hospital. Most significantly, in 2005 the crew and aircraft deployed to New Orleans, LA and worked directly for FEMA for 30 days airlifting, food, water, medicines and rescue personnel to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. 

After nearly 20 years of service, additional support to continue operations is needed. While local police departments and volunteers can easily absorb staffing requirements; the operational and maintenance costs for helicopter flight operations remains extensive. Fuel costs are $500/hour, insurance costs are nearly $15,000/year and licensed mechanics can charge $60/hr for maintenance. Historically, the Nelson-D’Ancona Foundation has absorbed all operational costs. In addition, equipment upgrades such as a FLIR (forward looking infrared) sight and rescue hoist are needed to best serve the public, but funding limitations have restricted acquisition. 

The Stratford Police Department and the Nelson-D’Ancona foundation desire to seek state assistance in securing funds to maintain operations for Eagle 1. This business plan details the costs incurred as well as the funds requested to maintain and sustain a viable Police Search and Rescue Helicopter for the State of Connecticut.