Thursday, February 15, 2007 5:07 PM PST

Supes approve helicopter purchase

By a vote of 4-1, the Board of Supervisors of Placer County recently approved spending $2.5 million for an Aerostar A350 B3 helicopter to improve law enforcement, rescue and fire-fighting capabilities.

"I'm excited," said Sheriff Ed Bonner. "I'm very happy with the board's action, particularly Supervisor Bruce Kranz who took the lead, gave it traction and prompted the staff work that moved us from a good idea to reality. It would not have happened without Bruce."

Kranz wanted a helicopter with a water bucket as a critical tool for early detection and subsequent actions against catastrophic wildfire.

"Helicopters stopped the Ralston Fire in the canyon before it could reach a community. Our citizens deserve this service," Kranz said.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) will also use the helicopter.

"The Sheriff's helicopters will assist the CHP in its mission. Their value has been demonstrated many times, over and over," said Commander Rick Ward of the Newcastle-Applegate California Highway Patrol office.