Last Updated: 4:50 p.m.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has acquired its own helicopter, a Bell 505 formerly owned by Dan Newlin, the personal injury attorney and friend of Sheriff Rick Staly who’s made frequent appearances–with the helicopter–at sheriff’s events.
The helicopter’s new N-Number will be 611FC, according to Federal Aviation Administration records. 61-1 is the dispatch call number for Staly. It’ll be housed at the East Flagler Mosquito Control District, which has its own helicopter, on the grounds of the county airport.
The new N-Number was reserved by Sheriff’s Chief of Staff Mark Strobridge under the Sheriff’s Operations Center’s address at 61 Sheriff E.W. Johnston Drive in Bunnell, according to the FF record. The FAA authorized the change in N-numbers on Jan. 7, from 407DN, which had been Newlin’s identifier. The helicopter is being repainted elsewhere in Florida, in agency colors.
The acquisition is taking county officials by surprise. “I wasn’t aware of that,” County Administrator Heidi Petito said by phone from Tallahassee, between meetings with legislators this afternoon. She said the acquisition of a helicopter wasn’t discussed, “not with me and nothing that went to the Board of County Commissioners.”
“When we do his budget we just approve his budget in total,” Petito said. The sheriff “is allowed to spend the money in whatever category, so when the County Commission approves his budget, in theory what they’re approving is just the dollar amount, and he has the ability by statute to use it accordingly, so he could move the money around. I don’t know if he had to pay for it, acquire it or if it was a gift.”
Contacted about the acquisition this afternoon, Strobridge–himself a seasoned pilot, but only of fixed-wing aircraft–was surprised when asked about the acquisition but did not explain it, saying he would call back with information, then subsequently referred to an upcoming press release.
The Sheriff’s Office is describing the acquisition as a private-public partnership with Newlin. The helicopter is valued at $1.42 million, the agency said. The agency contributed $700,000 ($125,000 from the asset-seizure fund resulting from drug arrests, the rest from what the agency describes as one-time savings). Newlin is contributing the balance “in market value,” plus $30,000 for equipment.
The Bell 505 includes an advanced FLIR camera system, night-sun spotlight and medivac capabilities, and would be used for search and rescues of missing persons, tracking fleeing suspects, directing deputies, and in maritime searches and routine patrols. “Unlike drones, a helicopter can carry personnel and equipment to remote or hard to access areas of Flagler County such as Flagler Estates and Western Flagler County conduct emergency medical airlifts, and operate across greater distances, greatly extending FCSO’s operational range and response time,” the agency says.
The agency release does not address operational costs but suggests it will give the county 24-hour medevac coverage. “I dedicate the [medevac] capability to Mrs. Jane Gentile-Youd who has long clamored for 24-hour medivac capability in Flagler County,” Staly is quoted as saying in the release, referring to the late county advocate and former county commission candidate. She died last week. “It is truly sad that Jane passed before she could see her vision become a reality. I want to once again thank Mr. Dan Newlin for his donation and support of the Sheriff’s Office, as this would not have been possible without him.”
“I did not know about it, so I’d have to know how he got it,” Commission Chair Leann Pennington said, guessing it was a gift. “I guess it’ll be a subject of discussion at budget time.” She said it is “a good investment for our community as it continues to grow,” but cautioned: “I have to wait and see what he proposes on how we’re able to operate it and stay within our budget rails.”
Whether a purchase or a gift, the acquisition carries reporting and oversight requirements regardless. Even as a gift, the helicopter would incur substantial operations and maintenance costs.
Flagler County FireFlight is the county’s emergency helicopter. FireFlight’s budget this year, for a 12-hour operation, is slightly over $1 million–half for personnel, half for operations, including fuel ($60,000), training ($47,000), maintenance ($132,000) and insurance ($101,000). The county has two pilots. Flagler County last year bought a replacement for FireFlight for $5.4 million, the emergency helicopter the county has owned and operated for 26 years, assisting the sheriff in as many policing operations as it has transported trauma patients to area hospitals–800 missions each since 2002. It has also conducted 300 search and rescue operations.
Petito was not aware of any issues in service that the county’s existing emergency helicopter was providing. “We’ve been working very well to provide service to law enforcement. I’m not aware of any deficiencies or anything we haven’t been able to provide.”
It’s been no secret in Bunnell that the sheriff has been eying a helicopter for his agency for years. The County Commission approves the sheriff’s budget but grants him wide autonomy under Florida’s Amendment 10, approved by voters in 2018 and limiting county commissions’ budgetary controls on constitutional officers. The discussion at budget time has not been about a helicopter acquisition for the sheriff, but about the feasibility of extending FireFlight’s operations to 24 hours.
FireFlight operates 12 hours a day, seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The sheriff has called on assistance from neighboring counties, typically from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, when needing air support in policing operations. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office has three Bell 407 helicopters–each with a top speed of 160 miles per hour–acquired collectively for $19.6 million, according to the News-Journal.
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office has a $164.6 million budget. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has a $48 million budget funded by the county, and an $11.2 million budget with Palm Coast, which contracts for its enhanced policing.
“I would have to defer to the sheriff’s discretion and trust that he will be a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars while keeping us safe,” Palm Coast City Council member Theresa Pontieri said. “My foremost concern when I’m looking at public safety is life and limb first, and property, and making sure that whatever we’re doing, we’re being fiscally responsible.”
The Newlin helicopter acquisition has not been a subject of public discussion, nor did the sheriff suggest that he was looking to acquire a helicopter when he last discussed his agency’s budget with the county or with Palm Coast. The last time an item directly involving the Sheriff’s Office appeared before the County Commission was the renaming in October of the Operations Center in Bunnell as the Rick Staly Law Enforcement Center.
Newlin is an old friend and formerly worked under Staly’s. Briefly an EMT in his late teens, he became a police officer in his native Chicago before joining the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for 10 years, where Staly was his supervisor as undersheriff. Newlin served 18 more years as a reserve deputy.
Last June, Staly asked him to serve as an honorary deputy in Flagler County. “As my first supervisor, Sheriff Staly has been recognized for thousands of leadership awards and crime-solving accomplishments,” Newlin wrote on his Facebook page over an image and a video showing him taking the honorary deputy oath. “To continue volunteering as an Honorary Deputy Sheriff and working alongside such a champion leader is an opportunity of a lifetime.”
“This donation is about giving back to the community and helping law enforcement do their jobs more effectively,” Newlin was quoted as saying in a release. “When I learned about the Sheriff’s Office’s need for a helicopter, I knew it was an opportunity to make a real difference. This aircraft will help save lives, protect families, and keep Flagler County safe for years to come.”
Newlin owns the Central Florida Dan Newlin Injury Attorneys law firm. A lavish donor to political candidates and political action committees for years, including the Florida Democratic Party and Democratic candidates, but over the years more frequently to Republican candidates, he donated $1 million to the Make America Great Again PAC on May 7, 2024, according to federal campaign finance records. Trump mentioned the check during his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention. Within weeks of his election, Trump nominated him to be the U.S. Ambassador to Colombia, where Newlin owns a ranch. He has yet to be confirmed by the Senate.
Jay Tomm says
This is what he wanted for years…Surprised it’s not a ex military one like we ALL know he would have liked more.
Now comes the funds from the general fund to support it! Further proof how much of the counties money goes to FCSO
Disgusted in Flagler County says
I’d like to know where the money is going that the FCSO, is receiving for holding illegals until ICE picks them up. Where is that money going???
Revolted says
I was hit in the head by a falling helicopter and Dan Newlin got me 87 million dollars!
JimmyK says
Really? We need two helicopters? For what? Sounds like the sheriff wants more toys and ability to say he owns one now.
Let’s see where the money comes from to maintain and operate this new toy
Unbelievable. I have no money left to have to start paying for big boy toys when we have one.
TR says
Sheriff’s dept. now only has on helicopter. The other one being used I believe was the fire departments and assisted when a patient had to be airlifted or the sheriff’s dept needed it to locate someone from the air in assistance to the deputies on the ground.
Think Clearly says
“Needed it”??? You mean WANTED it. The sheriff’s office has never had one before and somehow survived. If they want to locate people they can do what they have done, and what every other agency has been doing, us drones. They have a drone unit that provides round the clock coverage. Most agencies nationwide wide are doing away with the their air operations units due to incredible costs and switching to the cost effective drones, but not Flagler. Just like most things, they are completely backwards.
That Guy says
Great…the Sheriff’s empire continues to expand beyond the ridiculous. so I am guessing he will be asking for an additional $1.5-$2.0m dollar a year for pilots, maintenance, a hanger and operational costs. when will it ever stop with him and his ego-driven toys!!!
His budget is out of control, the numbers cited in the article show Volusia County at about $300 per person in the county for Sheriff and our sheriff is over $420 per person …40% more then neighboring counties….he has to stop, this is a peaceable older community and don’t need this overwhelming police force. I saw a older lady pulled over on Saturday and had 4 deputies at the car, the driver had to be 80.
At least the crazy airport lady will have something new to complain about…imagine the noise
YOU ARE "THAT GUY" says
It takes a special kind of JACK OFF to compare residents making valid complaints
of over 170 thousand student flight schools performing touch and goes 24/7 over
residents homes, businesses, high school, hospital, etc to a medical helicopter performing
a threatening life saving event and that guy is you!
TR says
What’s ridiculous is that you don’t seem to understand that the sheriff’s department needs to expand with the growth in population if Flagler County. I hope you never need the assistance of the sheriff’s department. I say with the projection with the amount of people supposedly going to fill all these out of control homes being built, the sheriff’s budget should double without any hesitation. All the people complaining about what the sheriff is asking for or what these complainers are thinking they know what he’s going to ask for shouldn’t think for one minute to call the sheriff’s office when they need them. Don’t call 911 when you might be in a terrible accident. Don’t call 911 when your house might get broken into. Don’t call 911 when your house may be on fire. Just don’t call 911 for anything. Then lets see how that works out for you.
Skibum says
I don’t disagree with you, TR, because as a retired LEO myself I have always supported law enforcement’s efforts here and the budget increases that Sheriff Staly has requested in the past to keep up with the population growth. But as a matter of whether or not the acquisition of Newlan’s helicopter for exclusive use by FCSO was a good decision, or even needed at the present time, I’ll just say that I am among many people who are scratching our heads and wondering if this is something that is financially feasable.
Let’s put aside the fact that Flagler County already has a fire department helicopter based at the local airport in Palm Coast that can is already available to be shared with law enforcement, and has been used many, many times by FCSO over the years when needed. Volusia County’s law enforcement helicopter is also available nearby, and has assisted in law enforcement operations here in our county as well on numerous occasions when requested.
Having spent nearly a decade in law enforcement in southern CA, I know how valuable it is for law enforcement to have the assistance of a helicopter in the air. But even in much, much larger cities than we have in Flagler County, those cities have made the decision not to be financially burdened with all of the operational and maintenance expense of having their own law enforcement helicopter, and using a neighboring city or county’s helicopter via what is commonly known as “mutual assistance” when eyes in the air are needed. It is not feasible for FCSO to have every type of law enforcement equipment or team that they may need to use just every now and then. Like the bomb squad, or a dedicated SWAT team, or a comprehensive crime lab. Personally, I doubt the feasibility of FCSO needing it’s own helicopter right now, especially when the county already has one that can be used nearly anytime FCSO requests it, or if it is not available, VCSO’s helicopter might also be available from nearby Daytona Beach.
Usually, there has to first be a formal request that is approved by county leaders, full justification that includes specifics of how air operations would help the sheriff’s office, how much it would cost for both operations and ongoing maintenance, then significant planning in conjunction with county leaders to ramp up such a multifaceted operations because adding a helicopter is not as easy as just having one gifted and then it is all done. Absolutely not.
This will incur a much higher, ongoing budget need for FCSO, and I am surprised that something of this magnitude was even pushed forward by the sheriff without having first met with, discussed, and received complete buy-in from the county administrators who have budget oversight. That is shocking!
I hope this goes well in the long-term. Right now, there are still too many questions that not only don’t have answers, apparently there are county budget officials that have never been approached or included in the dialogue so they would know what to ask. That is very concerning, if true.
YOU ARE "THAT GUY" says
TR: Don’t waste your time on this person, “THAT GUY” is all over
the place with his “CRAZY” statement. According to “THAT GUY”
he can determine a persons age while driving by a traffic stop made
by deputies (as just maybe this person HAD to be stopped before
killing people). He also claims that PC is an elder community when
we see more and more young families at our stores and markets.
Lastly he will be the first one to dial 911 in the event of he or his family
members in an emergency situation. All BS talk , no brains! Then he
rambles on to talk s**t about the airport communities which has
nothing to do with this article, sounds like a hater and a divider to me.
Harriet says
” “I dedicate the [medevac] capability to Mrs. Jane Gentile-Youd who has long clamored for 24-hour medivac capability in Flagler County,” Staly is quoted as saying in the release, referring to the late county advocate and former county commission candidate. She died last week. “It is truly sad that Jane passed before she could see her vision become a reality.”
Thank you for dedicating this to Jane Gentile -Youd. This will help save lives. It was very important to her. Will there be a plaque in her honor?
TR says
Thanks for the info.
DP says
And he could have expanded on a proven helicopter that’s currently in service 12hr’s a day, 365 yr. How??? Hire two additional pilots, and then the current program would be available 24/7, 365. But nope the Sherrif wants to claim OH the need. And guess who’s going to be paying for all the additional costs, which none will ever be reimbursed.??? Your right the TAXPAYER.
FedUp says
Most attorneys are lobbyists, and lobbyists need to be eliminated from any negotiations, direct or indirect ties to political candidates that have influence over elections and laws. Here is a fine example of an attorney/lobbyist, Dan Newlin.
Skibum says
Well, hmmmmm. Not so sure this latest acquisition is a well thought out, long-term benefit to FCSO or county taxpayers, but we’ll see. Law enforcement helicopter operations, and especially maintenance and upkeep, requires significant, ongoing expenditures. Flagler County already has the availability of Volusia County’s Air 1 sheriff’s helicopter nearby, and that air resource has been utilized here numerous times.
Is FCSO going to be hiring it’s own law enforcement pilots? If this is a surprise to county administrators, it does not appear, to me at least, that this was a well thought out plan because it will require an enormous amount of financial outlay that could otherwise have gone to more traditional equipment needs. The devil will be in the details that I’m quite sure the county fathers will require the sheriff to explain to their satisfaction, if they are going to buy in to this, shall we say, extravagance, for FCSO.
C says
I think it’s great!
robert zabinski says
I think it’s a shared blessing for Flagler it will be used ALOT can’t be in 2 places at once .
BRAVO
COOL MAN TOY
Ed says
So a bomb squad is out of the question BUT a beautiful helicopter with no qualified operator (?) Currently working for S.O.
Who will fly this toy ?
JimboXYZ says
Probably one of the FCSO drone certified officers ? From toy helicopters graduating to real ones. Step up those drug busts to fund this whirlybird.
Using Common Sense says
FCSO better figure out how to cover the cost of their new toy out of the huge, and bloated budget they already have. Palm Coast residents are tired of taxation without representation!
Spendingspree says
Hey let name another building after him for his reckless spending for his ego. What a waste….. AGAIN!!!
Raymond says
Then you guys b#tch and moan that the Sheriff isn’t doing enough. A peaceful town.? You guys have no idea. I’ve been in Palm Coast since 1980 and I’ve never heard so many people cry and complain then you guys. You guys do know that there are roads that lead our of Palm Coast right? Pack your Sh#t and leave. That’s a thought or you gonna cry about that to.
TrumpHole says
Moved there in ’89. Saw lots of good change, but not recently, too dysfunctional for me. Moved out in ’25.
Concerned Citizen says
Well. LOL
1.) Who will fly it? Fire Flights pilots are multi mission certified.
2.) How will Staly operate Medivac missions? Will Fire Rescue loan out a Flight Medic? A Paramedic trained in Flight Ops is required to handle patient transport. During transport those helo’s are required to be flight followed as well.I’m guessing that’s already been thought of. As the Dispatchers have Flight Following experience with Fire Flight. For those not in the know FAA Part 135 covers patient transport.Again I am guessing that they will install Spidertracks which is what Fire Flight utilizes.
§ 135.79 & Subpart L: The Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) under Part 135, Subpart L, specifically address HAA operations, requiring strict adherence to flight following/locating procedures.
FAA Advisory Circulars: AC 135-14B emphasizes that flight following isn’t just recommended but a regulatory requirement, even suggesting it as an industry best practice even where not strictly mandated.
Purpose of Flight Following: It’s a system for monitoring aircraft, especially vital for HAA missions due to their time-sensitive nature and potential for operating in challenging conditions.
RobdaSlob says
Concerned Citizen – 14 CFR part 135 would not be applicable to operations by the Sheriff department unless they are going to get a part 135 certificate and do for-hire (charter) work. As a Sheriff’s office I trust this will be a public use aircraft as defined by 49 US Code 40102. Since we went there, for public aircraft operations (such as Flagler County Sheriff), the FAA does not regulate many aspects that apply to civil aviation, such as:
– Aircraft airworthiness certification
– Many operating rules in 14 CFR Part 91
– Pilot certification requirements (when flying strictly as public aircraft)
So the questions I hope that are going to be asked to the Sheriff is what is their plan to maintain this aircraft and crew – what will the pilot certification requirements be, what aspects of 14 CFR part 91 will they not be meeting, how will they maintain this aircraft to ensure it is airworthy, etc… and of course how will this all be documented, maintained, audited, etc. Failure to do so would of course expose the county to legal action in event of an accident. And expose the tax payers to that burden.
Concerned Citizen says
As someone active in the Emergency Services Community.
If Sheriff Staly intends on doing Medivac (as the article states) the mission fall under Part 135. Further Medivac missions in Florida require a Paramedic or Flight Nurse. So again I wonder how this will be addressed when doing Medivac Ops. My understanding from associating with Fire Flight and other transports is. Medivac patients are billed. Which places the helo under Part 135 during that flight to the receiving Hospital.
Florida Medivac (air ambulance) missions fall under FAA Part 135 regulations. These operations, which involve transporting patients or medical personnel for compensation, are classified as commercial on-demand, non-scheduled, or charter services
. All such air ambulance flights must adhere to strict Part 135 safety and operational standards.
Key details:
Part 135 Applicability: All commercial helicopter and airplane air ambulances are regulated under 14 CFR Part 135, specifically Subpart L for helicopter air ambulance operations.
Regulatory Requirements: Operators in Florida must hold a valid Part 135 operating certificate, which mandates specific pilot training, maintenance, weather minimums, and equipment, such as safety management systems.
Scope: These regulations cover patient transport,, positioning, and, repositioning flights.
Other Standards: In addition to FAA rules, many air ambulances adhere to voluntary, higher standards from organizations like the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS)
RobdaSlob says
Concerned – We would not all be speculating if he was more transparent.
Also correct if the Sheriff intends to do medivac “for hire” it will need to be part 135. The stack of manuals required for 135, the safety management system, training, FAA ride alongs, etc is all pretty onerous. What’s that tab going to cost us taxpayers and who is coming in to do all that work?
It also begs the question on why is our government developing a pay for service operation when there are commercial entities that do this for a living.
If he puts it under “public use” the level of rigor he has to do and the requirements are much lighter than 135. But he can only carry individuals required for the mission, not patients for hire or other ride alongs. Which means his claim of that the helicopter will do medevac is a misleading deflection.
He could do it all under Part 91, but again no fee for service activity.
And I suspect the helicopter has an executive interior in it today and he would need to pull it and replace with a medevac. As already noted by others the 505 is at best a “light medevac” helicopter. Not much of a useful load – typically equipped it has less than 1,000 lbs of useful load with a full bag of gas. But they are used for that activity. What’s that change in interior going to cost? And if it is in the medevac config how does that impact its ability to do its normal “police mission”.
Finally I will note the helicopter is now registered as “government”. Yeah looks like the Sheriff has a new toy – he has some work to do to convince me otherwise.
Skibum says
I doubt medivac missions are on the table with this new bird. It would have to be retrofit for that, and the county fire dept already has a helicopter fitted for medical evacuation. This one would likely be used specifically for law enforcement… like a patrol car in the air. Not an emergency ambulance. Many jurisdictions have law enforcement helicopters that are not designed for medical transport.
Bob Peterson says
The county commissioners are to blame for this waste of our money. Every single year since Staly has been sheriff he has substantially demanded more money from both Palm Coast and Flagler County. When ever he is questioned he says he needs the money or crime will skyrocket. Not one public official has asked or looked at the huge increases in salaries and promotions at the sheriffs office. I know because I asked for the records under the open records law and the county commissioners stated they have never looked at them and that I had to ask the sheriff. So I did and the sheriffs office didn’t respond to my open record request. There are no reporters interested in looking at waste and abuse in Flagler County so this continues. I wish someone would reel this reckless spending in.
Jay Tomm says
All County sheriff departments are exempt due to new laws from the STATE. Where they spend their money, names, address, numbers of employees, ranks, all of that is now exempt from public record.
Thank DeSantis
Jc says
Staly been talking about this helicopter for at least 2 years. He’s had a pilot on staff since May. Who are they trying to fool. If he truly wants to dedicate it my dear friend, Jane . Who passes last week. He can donate the helicopter directly to Advent Health. Strobridge saying he knew nothing about it today, but yet registered it on January 7th. Gifts and donations are not allowed under Florida statute. What kind of expenses will this accrue? Will he want a hanger next? Maintenance? insurance? Pilot salary? Are there fees to keep it at the airport? Several odd us emailed and questioned the commission about this back in Oct when we heard they transferred dispatchers from the sheriff to the county. And kept the funding with the sheriff. He was bragging about buying the helicopter. I even asked Flagler live. If they heard anything about this. No one heard about the dispatcher being transferred. This is concerning.
Joy Cook says
In this article Staly claims that my dear friend , Jane did not see her dream come true. Well! Sheriff , you were misinformed. Jane did see her dream come true in 2024 , when the second firefight was purchased by the county. In the article by Flagler live.. two things stick out that were in your statement . 1. Firefly will be a patient transfer and will have plenty of room for the paramedics to work on patients. As they are being transported to the hospital. And I’m sure they are fully equipped. 2. It will also be available 24/7 . And if you read below the article, you will see the beautiful comment my friend, Jane wrote and how pleased she was that she got to see this happen. https://flaglerlive.com/fireflight-decommissioned/
You are that guy says
Joy Cook: I would also like to add that our beloved Jane Gentile Youd was
extremely disappointed at Staly’s comment at a FCBOCC meeting when she
suggested that your deputies should be equipped with mask during the
COVID epidemic and your very strange response was they Jane should buy them!
Greg says
He has more taxpayer money than he knows what to do with. It’s time Staley gets his unlimited cash stopped.
Taxpayer says
When reading this what I got out of it is Sheriff Staly isn’t very upfront with County Commissioners or City of PC Officials. Wonder what else he is doing that he hasn’t been up front about when asking for more money for his office?
Good money after bad says
Let’s face it. Staley is a snake in the grass with to much money to burn
L says
Ok? What are you a TRUMP wannabe? You ” quietly ” received a helicopter? So what did you have to give him?
When you respond to a crash CALL DAN NEWLIN do you get some of the proceeds from the settlement?
If so air flight is free?
Sherry says
Awwww. . . Staley got a “FREE” big boy aircraft toy, just like ole “donnie”! LOL! Pay NO attention to those “STRINGS ATTACHED” , or to the costs $$$$ associated with operations or maintenance. It’s all “FREE”. . . Right Maga? LOL! LOL! LOL!
What Else Is New says
Does this remind anyone of another gift to a government employee? Perhaps a gift from Saudi Arabia? For goodness sake, return the helicopter to Newlin. Staly has enough toys.
Pogo says
@Now we know what the tone
… lack of substance, or acquaintance with reality of the first class passengers of Titanic’s lifeboats, sounded like. Only in America.
“I don’t want to belong to any club that would accept me as one of its members.”
— Groucho Marx
Endless dark money says
What a police state we live in. If we ever want to get tough on crime we better build better communities, ensure good pay, provide healthcare, those are better at preventing crime than 100 prisons.
JimboXYZ says
Crime falls on the individual really. If there weren’t so many man hunts, stolen vehicles & drug dealer finding their way to Flagler County, there wouldn’t be a need for helicopters. With Advent having no ambulance service, that leaves the residents of Flagler County to provide a Fire Department service for paramedic ambulatory services. I think all those costs should be billed back to Advent itself, since they are a profitable community hospital. It’s all part of the unaffordable healthcare insurance in America. The healthcare system has found a way to get the entire county to fund their profit center. Just no fiscal accountability or responsibility for the inflation on insurance premiums & healthcare facilities for delivering anything affordable. What are the percentage of needs for an ambulance period. I think they find that most of those dispatches are auto accident related for just the fire department trucks alone ? Some need to learn how to drive a car a little better and that would significantly reduce a necessity for the ambulance services that are part of the statistical calculation for cost per incident.
Endless dark money says
So we have allowed republicans to defund what 17 million from our public schools just last year often to charter schools that never opened….They gutted all assistance programs, even cut kids cancer research. But we got helicopter money for police? Funny how when it comes to bombs there is never a shortage of money but when it comes to helping people even feeding children all the sudden there’s no money….as far as healthcare it’s time to join the rest of the world and have some level of universal care. Not tying healthcare to some job that seem to be evaporating quickly.
Laurel says
Well, I hope it doesn’t cost the Flagler County tax payers an arm and a leg, and I hope it actually does become useful. Not sure why such a vehicle is so extremely expensive.
What I will say is, I got so sick of Dan Newlin’s commercials invading every, single second of TV viewing, and his name and face plastered everywhere, that I change my TV settings to Jacksonville. I can’t relate to weather or activities in Orlando anyway; Jacksonville is closer and coastal. So, bye-bye Dan! But…I suspect his name will be somewhere visible on the copter.
Skibum says
I, for one, hope Dan Newlin (I misspelled his name in an earlier comment… shows you how much I pay attention to his ads) stays in Columbia. I think that is an excellent place for him to practice law!
Make Palm Coast pay says
Wonder if the city of Palm Coast will chip in a few million for this toy ?
They will probably be the most reliant on it & I’m sure it’s not in thier current contract.
Bill Palm Coast says
How much will the city of Palm Coast contribute to this folly ?
Those with the most use should contribute their share ?
JS says
I guess this shows the Sheriff can be resourceful finding money & the things they want/need, so shouldn’t be an issue if they don’t get a budget increase (or homesteaded property tax etc goes away) in the future. Just refer back to this “partnership”.
That said, the Bell 505 is not a great choice for the job they’re touting it will do, especially “Medivac”. It’s a light duty helo to compete with a Robinson (R66, those little ones you see at fairs & sightseeing for $20/ride), but with even less payload capability. The added weight of the new retrofit equipment plays a factor more so than a “real” Jet Ranger or more capable machine (ie FireFlight Airbus) and they may find it heavy on hot days (nearly year-round). I guess it gets their feet wet like a starter home & once an asset in their arsenal, they’ll simply replace it later,, Putting out that PR with either little knowledge of the bird or simply arrogance that people won’t notice is concerning. Might be more compared to patrolling the streets with a pellet gun instead of Glock but portraying equal power, until it’s not & situational demands fall short. IMO haphazard, but typical to this admin fashion and way more behind the scenes that needs a good thorough audit.
Pogo says
Bingo
Who, and whatever, lives here after a few hours of a Cat 6 hurricane will probably have a whole new perspective anyway.
Mike P says
Where is the money coming for this??? Flagler County’s existing emergency helicopter, FireFlight, operates on an annual budget of slightly over $1 million. Its specific breakdown includes:
Maintenance: $132,000
Fuel: $60,000
Insurance: $101,000
Training: $47,000
Personnel: ~$500,000 (roughly half the total budget).
The FCSO’s Bell 505 is expected to have similar or slightly higher operational costs due to its mission profile.