HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Statement 1982/10/26 Item 10COL AGENDA STATEMENT
Item 10
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SUBMITTE
Proposi
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The hel
rescue,
Meeting Date 10/26/82
E: Resolution /~d-'~~Supporting County Proposition A - ASTREA
Helicopters
BY: Director of P ` Safety (4/5ths Vote: Yes NoXX )
.ion A would authorize special tax for fiscal year 1983-84 only.
of the special tax could only be used to purchase five new jet
ers and modernize helicopter housing facilities for the Sheriff.
copters would be used for the Sheriffs' law enforcement, search and
public disaster and fire services operations throughout the County.
RECOMME DATION: Adopt the Resolution
DISCUSS ON:
The AST EA helicopters which provide police, fire and rescue support to
all age cies in the County are woefully outdated and must be replaced. The
County f San Diego .has been providing this service of Aerial Support to
Regiona Enforcement Agencies (ASTREA) since 1972 but does not now have the
funds t purchase five modern turbine jet helicopters to update the fleet.
The Boa d of Supervisors has unanimously agreed to ask voter approval of
a ONE T ME ONLY FEE of $3.25 for each single family residence to finance
the pur hase. The average commercial property owner will pay a single fee
0~0. 0.
The spe ial tax would be levied, if approved by a 2/3 majority of those
voting, on the date such affirmative vote is declared by the Board of
Supervi ors. It would be collected with regular tax payments in the
same ma ner and subject to the same penalty as other County taxes.
The 1947 vintage helicopters we now fly have performed well but time and
technol y have passed them by. They are inadequate for rescue work
involvin evacuations, particularly in mountainous areas or some high
rise buildings in case of fire. Seating and carrying capacity is limited
and inju ed persons must be carried in a liter strapped to a landing skid.
Rescues 'nvolving multiple victims require repeat trips resulting in critical
time del ys. The cost of operating these helicopters is rising annually
as repla ement parts become scarce and the age of the machines increases.
The new 'et helicopters will provide a significantly quieter, more rapid
response to emergencies. The jet helicopters fly at twice the speed of
the exis ing helicopters and have a far greater carrying capacity. Jet
helicopt rs require less maintenance than the older piston machines and
are far ore efficient to operate.
Everyone in the County of San Diego benefits from ASTREA. In past years
ASTREA h s been responsible for over 1,100 rescues, 1,400 fire assists,
4,400 ar ests and recovery of $25 million of stolen property. During
t' of fire and flood ASTREA helicopters have plucked dozens of
i ile residents from almost certain death and delivered them to
sa ety.
The San iego County Grand Jury recommends support for Proposition A. It
is also upported by the County Board of Supervisors and San Diego Mayor
Form A-113 (Rev. 11/79) ,~
k - /105
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• Page 2 Item #10
Meeting Date 10/26/82
Wilson. It is my recommendation that the City Council support
Proposition A.
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A
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