Title
HEARING - Consider recommendations regarding the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Public Safety Aviation’s Final Report and Recommendations, as follows: (EST. TIME: 45 MIN.)
a) Receive and file the Subcommittee’s Final Report, including the following recommendations:
i) Form a joint fire and law enforcement aviation program within the Sheriff’s Department based on an Operational Agreement between the Fire and Sheriff Department that recognizes very different missions requiring a tightly integrated team, under unified command, of pilots, crew chiefs and maintenance personnel willing to communicate and maintain positive working relationships to serve the people of Santa Barbara County;
ii) Include the vital elements of aircraft and equipment availability, operational procedures, financial policies, staffing levels and leadership expectations in the Operational Agreement;
iii) Use professional pilots for public safety flight operations; Crew Chiefs should be made up of appropriate Fire or Sheriff personnel to match the mission; and
iv) Clarify the roles and responsibilities for medical evacuation provided by the aviation program and emergency medical transportation provided by CALSTAR to eliminate mission and dispatch confusion;
b) Receive and file a report from the Fire Chief and Sheriff about the Operational Agreement and transition plan;
c) Request an implementation status report from the Fire Chief and Sheriff in July 2012 and January 2013 or sooner if circumstances warrant; and
d) Request the development of a helicopter replacement plan that includes future public safety aviation needs to protect life and property.
COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S RECOMMENDATION: POLICY