I saw a police helicopter flying around the other day, after a much to long absence. Does anyone know if they have brought them back and the frequencies for the helicopter?
Thanks
Thanks
Police Helicopters
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fodbuster
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The State of Utah owns the two helicopters that used to belong to the Salt Lake County Sheriff (aircraft ID's N351SL and N352SL). They use the call sign "Star 7" or "Star 8" depending on what is going on that particular day. And no, none of the other police departments have purchased any yet. However, there is a possibility that a local agency may be getting one. In terms of frequencies...they will operate off any of the UCAN frequencies.
Junior1970
Member
I know that the Dept Of Public Safety has a copter but I thought SLCSO sold theirs off during last years budget cuts?
Thanks for the information. I had heard they had sold them off as well. I had not seen them for a long time and thought maybe the new govenor had put them back in the air. I will have to listen to see if I hear them on Ucan. I hope to see more of them around. I had seen them numerous time when they were active and I could listen to them on the scanner.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
fodbuster
Member
Okay...here is the "official" word on the helicopters....
A couple of years ago, when the county budget was getting ugly, Sheriff Kennard was "forced" to give up the helicopters. The State of Utah purchased the two helicopters from the Sheriff's Office. The irony of the whole situation is the fact that the two helicopters were donated to the Sheriff's Office by a rather prominent family. The only expenses that were required to be covered by the S.O. were fuel, maintenance and crew.
Now, the state has two helicopters that they paid for, and one of which stays in their hangar most of the time. (Actually, they rotate which one is up on a given day). Read: Star7 is the gov's taxi.
IMHO, the citizens of Salt Lake County got SCREWED on this deal. It used to be that the S.O. provided air support for any police agency in the valley. Granted, none of the other agencies paid a dime to the S.O. for use of the air units. I had a couple of candid conversations with some of the members of the S.O. Air Support Unit, and their capture record was nearly 100 percent. The citizens of this valley need to buck it up, pay an extra 10 bucks per year on their property taxes, and allow the county to purchase at least one NEW helicopter. Sure, let the county A.S.U. fly it and maintain it, but make sure that the cities pay their fair share of the operating costs.
<steps down from soapbox>
Sorry, I just had to vent. It is really frustrating for me having been in and associated with Public Safety for the better part of ten years (most of it at the airport), knowing that I live in a valley where you can't get air support.
A couple of years ago, when the county budget was getting ugly, Sheriff Kennard was "forced" to give up the helicopters. The State of Utah purchased the two helicopters from the Sheriff's Office. The irony of the whole situation is the fact that the two helicopters were donated to the Sheriff's Office by a rather prominent family. The only expenses that were required to be covered by the S.O. were fuel, maintenance and crew.
Now, the state has two helicopters that they paid for, and one of which stays in their hangar most of the time. (Actually, they rotate which one is up on a given day). Read: Star7 is the gov's taxi.
IMHO, the citizens of Salt Lake County got SCREWED on this deal. It used to be that the S.O. provided air support for any police agency in the valley. Granted, none of the other agencies paid a dime to the S.O. for use of the air units. I had a couple of candid conversations with some of the members of the S.O. Air Support Unit, and their capture record was nearly 100 percent. The citizens of this valley need to buck it up, pay an extra 10 bucks per year on their property taxes, and allow the county to purchase at least one NEW helicopter. Sure, let the county A.S.U. fly it and maintain it, but make sure that the cities pay their fair share of the operating costs.
<steps down from soapbox>
Sorry, I just had to vent. It is really frustrating for me having been in and associated with Public Safety for the better part of ten years (most of it at the airport), knowing that I live in a valley where you can't get air support.
LGLHOOK
Member
The helicopters are owned by the Utah DPS (pretty much UHP). They operate off the main UHP freq. when it is in the air here. If they are helping on another detail in the state, they would be on a Regional channel (UCAN), statewide channel (VHF) or on the direct departments freq. in which they are assisting. It is flown by the UHP of Salt Lake county and there for, it's call sign is the troopers id number. :idea:
I had some gang activity at my house one night. Now I have a scanner for that very reason. I did a stupid thing and opened the door, right in the middle of the whole thing. I called 911 and in less than 2 minutes I had two helicopters over my house. I know the helicopters are the best thing we ever had. I heard they were given up due to buget cuts because of the new Salt Lake City Library. I never go there. I was so happy to see them up in the air again, I thought we had them back. I listened to them on the scanner after I had bought one and thought they were the best investment the County could have. I agree with you. Why not bill us on our taxes and put it to a darn vote. How come we never get to vote on the good things we have. The helicopters I have always felt were stolen from the public. Maybe there is something we can do. Why can't the surrounding cities and counties pay there fair share? It was a shame they were grounded. Maybe we should tell the govenor to get off that helicopter and give it back.
JoeyC
Senior Member
When I lived in San Diego, the SDPD helicopter ABLE, MADE the department! Here in Reno, its a waste of taxpayer money. In San Diego air support is almost always working catching the bad guys and keeping the pursuits safe. Here in Reno they never even ask for air support until the scene is cold. A police helicopter I believe is a MAJOR asset to a department, however, if you were to poll the public, I think you will find the majority of citizens would rather NOT have the noise.
I think those who have seen them in action would vote for them. I guess it depends on where you live. When those helicopters were around they were busy all the time. They seem to use life flight for almost everything now. Do we the tax payers pay for life flight to do search and resuce? I often wonder who pays them for that? I love living in Utah, but gosh some of these people here are clueless. I read only a few articles about the helicopter being gone and it seems most of the public didn't even know they existed. Oh I can't get on the soapbox. The whole thing is just to upsetting. It just does not make sense. I was really hoping the helicopters were back.
fodbuster
Member
No, your hard-earned taxes do not pay LifeFlight for search and rescue activities; well, not directly. Since AirMed is technically owned by the state of Utah (the hospital....the aircraft that they used are leased from Air Methods), your taxes may pay part of that. Truth be told, there is no charge for the search and rescue activities unless a patient is actually transported. (At least that is what I have been told).
brian2j101
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fodbuster said:
I work for Life Flight as a dispatcher and I can tell you that is correct. We are not funded by the state at all as we are a private organisation. And unless we transport we do not charge for the S&R or Hoist operations.
Why would Life Flight not charge for the services? They have wear and tear and also gas. That does not make sense. My hat is off for the service but it does not seem fair.
LGLHOOK
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Oh believe me, they charge. They charge out the A$$. They are not funded by the state so you do not pay for it through your taxes is what they are saying.
brian2j101
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LGLHOOK said:
We charge when you get taken to the hospital. but when we come pluck someone off the side of the mtn and take them to the command post and not a hospital there is no charge, they write it off.. Yes it is expensive when you do get transported (aprox $6-9,000) by helicopter in the valley areas. All I can hope is that if I ever get transported I have good health coverage!
LGLHOOK
Member
Brian,
You have the benifit of working for Life Flight, that is benifit enough. They wouldn't charge you.
You have the benifit of working for Life Flight, that is benifit enough. They wouldn't charge you.
brian2j101
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Haven't transported our own yet thank goodness but who knows what they would do I would hope they would be nice enuf to write off what insurance doesn't pay for... I wouldnt be surprised to see a bill tho HAAHA
tyler1653
Member
I also recently saw a new helicopter in salt lake city. It was a Eurocopter a-star just like the DPS helicopters, but this one looked blue and it said SHERRIFF on the bottom. The DPS choppers are green. Did they get a paint job? Or is there actually a new chopper?
LGLHOOK
Member
The DPS helicopters are actually brown. AirMed or Lifeflight has a blue chopper from Denver I believe that they are using following the crash of the one out by the airport, Brian would be able to confirm that.
Surplus of money for SL County
Did anyone read in the paper the other day, (Salt Lake Tribune) about the enormus surplus of money the county has? It seems that they are close to violating the law because of the the surplus they have. If they have such a large surplus where are the helicopters? I think we should have a vote. Why not get SL County, Taylorsville, West Jordon, and Murray and we all chip in and pay for those helicopters? There is money, so what the heck is going on? It makes you wonder who in the heck is calling the shots up on the hill and in our cities of Utah. Where is the Govenor?
Every City who is consider anything, has helicopters. What in the heck is the problem with Utah? If the County has that much money maybe they need to pay Lifeflight back and the men who risk there lives saving these kids who get in trouble in the mountains. It just does not make sense. None of it makes sense. I think we should arm every citizen with a scanner for one night. That would make them wonder why we don't have helicopters anymore. They wouldn't sleep and they would probably go right out and buy a scanner. We need to educate the public about what is really happening in our streets. The helicopters were worth 50 patrol cars going in different directions.
Did anyone read in the paper the other day, (Salt Lake Tribune) about the enormus surplus of money the county has? It seems that they are close to violating the law because of the the surplus they have. If they have such a large surplus where are the helicopters? I think we should have a vote. Why not get SL County, Taylorsville, West Jordon, and Murray and we all chip in and pay for those helicopters? There is money, so what the heck is going on? It makes you wonder who in the heck is calling the shots up on the hill and in our cities of Utah. Where is the Govenor?
Every City who is consider anything, has helicopters. What in the heck is the problem with Utah? If the County has that much money maybe they need to pay Lifeflight back and the men who risk there lives saving these kids who get in trouble in the mountains. It just does not make sense. None of it makes sense. I think we should arm every citizen with a scanner for one night. That would make them wonder why we don't have helicopters anymore. They wouldn't sleep and they would probably go right out and buy a scanner. We need to educate the public about what is really happening in our streets. The helicopters were worth 50 patrol cars going in different directions.
Does anyone know Gephart. We should call him.
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