APSA E-Newsletter : 2020 August

Welcome!

APSA's E-Newsletter is designed to bring you the latest on news and events within the public safety aviation community. The E-Newsletter may also be read online here at our website.

Announcement: Winner of Air Beat’s 2020 Photo Contest

APSA would like to congratulate John Izzo of the Los Angeles (CA) Police Department for submitting the winning entry in this year’s Air Beat Photo Contest. He will receive a GoPro HERO Black8 camera. Thanks to all the members who submitted photos. Please know that you can submit photos from your aviation unit anytime throughout the year by sending to airbeat@publicsafetyaviation.org. 

APSA’s In-depth Conference Courses Online, Registration Open

For 50 years, APSA has been providing one-of-a-kind training for public safety aviators by subject matter experts. And while our in-person meetings have been temporarily suspended, APSA has transitioned five of its in-depth courses presented during APSCON to an online training format. Courses are being conducted over 1, 2 or 3 days via Zoom, which continues this month. For more information and to register, click here.  The courses currently being offered this month are:

Safety Management Systems Course, August 19-21
Sponsored by Bell
The course utilizes information and recommendations from the International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST), Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, Airborne Public Safety Accreditation Commission, and APSA’s Safety Program Manager. This course is designed for unit managers, safety officers and other personnel that are tasked with designing and implementing SMS within their public safety aviation unit.

Maintenance IA Renewal Course, August 24
Sponsored by RMCI, Inc.
The course includes new topics and training. Instructed by maintenance and aviation experts, this course is an excellent opportunity for maintenance professionals to enhance their knowledge and to renew their IA certificate.

Aviation Safety Officer Course, August 26-28
Sponsored by Baldwin Aviation & Bell
This course is designed to train both new and experienced safety officers. It focuses on the complexities of being a safety officer in the field of public safety aviation and includes topics on risk management, reporting, duties and responsibilities, maintenance, aeronautical decision-making as well as the critical review of aviation accidents and mishaps. Due to the complexity of this course, APSA highly recommends that students have completed the SMS course prior to participating.

Courses are available at both member and non-member rates. If you are not a member, but would like to join our association and secure the member registration rates, visit our membership page. 

1st Annual Natural Resources Summit

Due to COVID-19, APSA’s Natural Resources Safety Stand-To that was scheduled for August 12, 2020 as an in-person event has been switched to a live webinar. Originally scheduled as an 8-hour event, the live Zoom webinar will take place from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM (EDT) to accommodate members and non-members. In order to participate in the first annual Natural Resources Summit, you must register online.

You’ll learn about wildlife telemetry, operating drones in conservation law enforcement as well as safety and risk profiles. A Zoom link will be emailed to you prior to August 12 to log into the training. Don’t miss it; register now. If you have any questions, please call 301-631-2406 or email APSA Training Program Manager Don Roby. 

Free Education Fridays: Webinar Series Brings APSCON Classes To Your Screen

APSA has worked with its instructors to take many of the classes scheduled for APSCON 2020 and create a Webinar Training Series of live 90-minute webinars for members. These webinars, scheduled to run through November, are offered at no charge as a benefit of membership; however, registration is required. If you know of someone who is not an APSA member and would like to access any of these webinars, they can easily join APSA here. 

The upcoming scheduled webinars through October are:

• Aug. 14 - Aircraft Positioning for Tactical Air Operations: Rich Bookbinder, California Highway Patrol (retired)
• Sept. 11 - Risk Management in the Fire and Rescue Environment: Doug Russell, Washoe County (NV) Sheriff’s Office (retired)
• Sept. 18 - Public Aircraft Operations: Brian Martin, Maryland State Police
• Sept. 25 - Airborne Use of Force-Lessons Learned: Mike Peck, Paladin Resources Group, Inc.
• Oct. 2 - Operational Risk Management: Glenn Daley, New York Police Department Aviation Unit (ret.)
• Oct. 9 - Your Role in Successful SMS: Chris Young, CY Consulting, Inc.
• Oct. 16 - Aerial Support of K-9 Units: Clay Lacey, Texas Department of Public Safety
• Oct. 23 - Human Factors, Real Life Applications to Safety: Bryan Smith, APSA Safety Program Manager
• Oct. 30 - Aerial Firefighting Tactics: Mike Sagely, Los Angeles County (CA) Fire Department

These webinars all begin at 1:00 pm EDT and each requires a separate registration. To see the full schedule and register for any or all of the webinars, please visit our website.

Tune In For Tech Talk Tuesdays

APSA is providing our Corporate Members with the opportunity to promote their products and services directly to our membership through our Tech Talk Tuesday Series. Scheduled to run now through October 27, these 60-minute presentations are being offered at no charge as a benefit of membership; however, registration is required. For a current listing of Tech Talk Tuesday subjects and presenters and/or to register, visit our website.  

The following Tech Talk Tuesdays are currently scheduled at 1300 hours on the date given:

• August 11: MD Helicopters for Law Enforcement
• August 18: Command and Control Satellite Communications for Aeronautical and Land Communications
• August 25: PAC45 Digital Audio Control Systems
• September 8: Hoist Load Stability Solutions
• September 29: Digital Airware’s Aviation Unit Software Overview
• October 6: STC for the Installation of True Blue Powers Lithium-Ion Batteries
• October 13: From Off to Lift Off in Two Minutes With the Use of Tanis Preconditioning Systems
• October 20: Rolls-Royce M250 Familiarization and Maintenance Tips
• October 27: Stephan/H’s New Generation of Professional Flightsuits

If you are not a member, but would like to join our association and access these presentations, visit our Membership page.

Indiana State Police Begins Operations at New Headquarters

The Indiana State Police (ISP) Aviation Section celebrated the opening of its new headquarters at the Indy South Greenwood Airport on July 21. Officials from the City of Greenwood finalized their agreement with ISP to construct a new hangar and office space in early 2019. The office space will be used by the ISP Aviation Section and ISP Special Operations Section. Construction on the hangar began last June and was completed in the spring this year. ISP recently finished moving personnel and its aviation assets to the new location.

SOURCE: www.localnewsdigital.com 

Western Australia Police Buys Australia’s First H145

The Western Australia Police Force became the first Australian customer to buy Airbus Helicopters’ new five-bladed H145 in late July. Purchased to replace its BK117 helicopter and to operate alongside the AS365 N3+, this state-of-the-art H145 offers a full range of capabilities for the Western Australia Police Force, including single-pilot and instrument flight rules, along with night vision goggles capability.

On top of its multi-mission fit out, this specialized platform will have a fully integrated on-board police mission system, providing exceptional airborne law enforcement capability. This is complemented with Airbusʼ Helionix avionics suite and 4-axis autopilot system, significantly reducing crew workload and underpinning flight safety. For exclusive use by the Western Australia Police Force, the new aircraft will be based in Perth, servicing the entire State of Western Australia.

SOURCE: www.australianaviation.com.au 

Chula Vista PD Approved For Broader Use Of Drones

The Chula Vista (CA) Police Department received certification on June 28 to fly its drones beyond line-of-sight and became the first police department in the nation to receive such approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. The UAS program had already been approved to operate larger drones BVLOS.

CVPD recently purchased new Skydio drones for the task, an American-made drone that uses a series of cameras to detect objects and avoid collisions and allows pilots to fly around buildings or into hard-to-access canyons during the day. The new drones are smaller and can be kept in the trunk of an officer’s patrol car until needed. The department has found them useful on the east side of the city, which is outside the range of its current drone fleet. The Skydio drones do not replace the department’s existing drones, which are based on buildings on the city’s west side and dispatched from police headquarters. Those DJI drones are larger and are equipped with speakers. All of the drones are only used to respond to calls or in an emergency.

CVPD has been ahead of the drone curve, taking part in a test program, dubbed Integration Pilot Program and run by the FAA. The idea is to figure out how to safely integrate drones into national airspace. The Chula Vista Police Department is the only law enforcement agency in the nationwide program. IPP Manager in San Diego, Katelyn McCauley, said in a news release that the waiver is "truly first-of-its-kind, operationally game-changing, and potentially extensible to public safety agencies nationwide."

SOURCE: www.kpbs.org 

APSA’s Remote Pilot-in-Command Courses Available In-Person and Online

Have it your way! APSA is pleased to offer our Remote Pilot-in-Command (RPIC) Course both online via live webinars and in person. If online works best for you, we will be conducting two courses for four hours a day over two consecutive weeks on Tuesdays and Thursdays on the following dates:

• September 15, 17, 22, 24
• November 3, 5, 10, 12

Tired of Zooming? We also have two in-person RPIC Courses scheduled:

• Alameda County, CA | September 14-15, 2020
• Huntsville, AL | October 26-27, 2020

APSA’s RPIC course is designed to provide students with a review of the Federal Aviation Regulations Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification Process and prepare students to pass the FAA Pilot’s Exam. Successful completion requires attendance of all online sessions. In addition, three briefings specific to law enforcement use of UAS are conducted. The course is intended for public safety personnel, both sworn and non-sworn, interested in obtaining their FAA Remote Pilot Certificate.

Registration and more information is available on the APSA website. 

Vail Police and Fire’s UAS Unit Fully Operational

The Vail (CO) Police Department and Vail Fire and Emergency Services put their new unmanned aircraft system into use last month as a public safety tool. The departments began deploying the UAS to help first responders gain situational awareness in law enforcement and other public safety incidents. A FAA-certified remote pilot-in-command and a visual observer operate the program.

The UAS program has been implemented both in Vail and throughout Eagle County, assisting the Avon Police Department in searching for a missing adult, locating an injured mountain biker on lower Vail Mountain, and in support of the Eagle Police Department’s efforts to locate a missing 3-year-old boy. During the latest incident, the UAS team flew more than 20 miles, totaling over 5.5 hours of flight time.

SOURCE: www.vaildaily.com 

Laser Strike Arrest Leads to Multiple Charges for Calgary Man

The Calgary Police Service arrested a man after he allegedly shined a laser pointer into the eyes of a police helicopter pilot on July 17. The 44-year-old was arrested on multiple criminal offenses, as well as charges under the Canadian Aviation Regulations and Aeronautics Act.

According to a release from the Calgary Police Service, the Helicopter Air Watch for Community Safety (HAWCS) helicopter had been responding to a service call when a laser was pointed into the cockpit. The HAWCS aircrew determined the laser came from an apartment and directed ground troops to the location. When they arrived, the occupants refused to open the door. Officers returned with a search warrant that yielded drugs, cash, weapons, ammunition and a Class 3B laser.

The 44-year-old man was arrested and charged with 14 offenses, including possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, obstruction of a peace officer, possession of a restricted/prohibited firearm with ammunition, careless storage of a firearm, and breach of probation, as well as the Canadian Aviation Regulations and Aeronautics Act charges of projection of a directed bright light source at an aircraft and creating a hazard to safety.

SOURCE: www.dailyhive.com 

Sheriff One Helps Save Hiker With Quick Action

The Pima County (AZ) Sheriff's Department, alongside Search and Rescue deputies, responded to a hiker rescue at the King Canyon Trail on July 18. The 20-year-old female hiker was having trouble breathing. Because of the location of the hiker, the department’s helicopter Sheriff One was used to help in the rescue.

SAR Deputy Jeremy Ramirez spotted the hiker on the trail and was lowered from the helicopter where he triaged the hiker, monitored she was in anaphylactic shock, and utilized an EpiPen. The hiker was then airlifted out of the trail, taken to an awaiting fire department ambulance, where she was then taken to a hospital. Doctors advised that deputy Ramirezʼ quick medical response saved the hikers life.

Source: www.kgun9.com

Video: NYPD Helicopter Crew Pulls Injured Jet Skier From Hudson

Members of the New York (NY) Police Department (NYPD) Aviation Unit and NYPD Special Operations team worked together to rescue an injured jet skier stranded in the Hudson River off the Bronx on July 25. See video of the rescue, which NYPD made public via its Twitter feed, here.

The dramatic rescue operation involved scuba-equipped officers first coming to the aid of the injured jet skier. The aviation team then arrived overhead and pulled the man from the Hudson with assistance from the officers in the water. The injured man was airlifted to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

SOURCE: www.pix11.com 

Continue Networking in APSA’s Meeting Groups

APSA conducts regularly scheduled online meetings for safety officers, maintenance technicians, SAR personnel, and UAS operators via a conference call you can join using your computer, mobile device or phone. Online meetings are open to any APSA member. Contract maintenance providers to APSA members are welcome to participate in the maintenance meeting as well. To receive meeting information and be added to the mailing list, send an email to safety@publicsafetyaviation.org.

The schedule for upcoming APSA online meetings is as follows:
Safety Officers: Friday, Aug. 14, 2020 from 12:00-1:00 PM EDT (1600 UTC)
Maintenance: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020 from 1:00–2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
SAR: Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020 from 1:00–2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
UAS: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 from 1:00-2:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)

Connecticut City Council Approves Police UAS Purchase

The Hamden (CT) Police Department was authorized in late July to spend grant money on an unmanned aircraft. The UAS was part of an array of equipment authorized to help the department during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hamden Legislative Council voted to accept $82,363 in coronavirus-related funding from the U.S. Department of Justice; the UAS and accessories are expected to cost $33,500.

Police Chief John Sullivan and former Chief John Cappiello said the drone would be used mostly for search and rescue operations. The DJI Matrice 300 RTK will be outfitted with a wide-angle and thermal camera. The department decided it might want the aircraft in the future, and the grant was an opportunity to obtain it without having to pay out of pocket.

SOURCE: www.newhavenindependent.org 

Texas Department Grows UAS Unit

The Kaufman County (TX) Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) has ordered a new unmanned aircraft system, which will grow its drone fleet to six. Department officials said they launched the unmanned aircraft unit last fall in an effort to catch more criminals and save lives. The KCSO Drone Unit is funded by grant and forfeiture funds. KCSO’s existing fleet of five drones have proven useful in criminal investigations and suspect pursuits, officials said. No timeline for receipt of the sixth UAS was provided.

Each of KCSO’s UAS is outfitted with high-definition cameras, mapping capabilities, spotlights, thermal imagers, night vision, blue tooth connectivity and public address speakers. KCSO also has five deputies who are trained and licensed to operate the drones. The drones are kept with deputies in their patrol vehicles and are ready to be deployed as soon as they are deemed appropriate or dispatched to another agency.

SOURCE: www.inforney.com 

California Man Gets 27 Months for Shining Laser at Helicopter

A 34-year-old man was sentenced last month to two years and three months in prison for pointing a powerful green laser beam at the Stanislaus County (CA) Sheriff Departments helicopter in 2017. According to court records, the man struck the department’s helicopter five to six times with a powerful green laser, causing visual interference for the pilot and tactical flight officer. The man’s actions, which occurred within the FAA-designated laser-free zone of the Modesto Airport, disrupted an air support response to a domestic violence call.

An examination of the perpetrator’s laser revealed it was 17 times more powerful than the legal limit for a handheld laser. The man pleaded guilty to the crime in March 2018.

SOURCE: www.gvwire.com 

Alabama County to Use Public Safety Drones

The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office is planning to use drones to enhance public and officer safety after 18 months of training and the purchase of DJI drones. Baldwin County has always relied on officers on the ground and in helicopters to monitor crime scenes and public safety at events. After examining what the latest drones are capable of achieving, Baldwin County decided it was the right time to invest in this technology.

The department is using the recently acquired drones for the crime scene photography and documentation, surveillance planning and operations, SWAT call-outs, monitoring large-scale events, traffic management and missing persons missions.

Source: dronedj.com   

LACoFD Has Two New Firehawks

With their arrival on Tuesday, August 4th, at the Barton Heliport in Pacoima, the Los Angeles County Fire Department has two new Firehawk helicopters fully equipped and ready to go. Both of the ships, Helicopters 21 and 22, were converted by Colorado company United Rotorcraft into firefighting machines, with extended landing gear, 1,000 gallon firefighting tanks, and retractable snorkel systems.

Now the LACoFD has 10 helicopters, 5 Firehawks, and 5 Bell 412 ships.

SOURCE: https://fireaviation.com/

Audi R8 Burst Into Flames During Armed Police Motorway Chase

Police have released a dramatic video of high speed chase on the M6 that saw a stolen Audi R8 burst into flames. Officers suspected the vehicle was carrying firearms and an operation involving multiple police units was launched to bring the vehicle to a stop. The video, shared by South West Region National Police Helicopter Service, shows the stolen car swerving across motorway and weaving past other vehicles. It then begins showering sparks - before catching on fire and becoming a glowing fireball on the infrared footage. The Audi eventually stops and armed police surround the vehicle and arrest the suspects.

On Twitter, the West Midlands Police Firearms Operations Unit said: "Great team work and bravery demonstrated during this incident. "Awesome to see Central Motorway Police Group, West Midlands Police dog units, police helicopter and ourselves working together to get the job done."

SOURCE: https://www.devonlive.com/ 

APSA Welcomes New Members

APSA would like to welcome the following corporate and individual members who joined during July 2020:

Corporate Members:

Vita Inclinata Technologies 

Individual Members:

Kevin Afflick, Charleston County (SC) Sheriff's Office
Aaron Allen, Knox County (TN) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Jay Best, Florida Department of Law Enforcement Aviation Unit
Jordan Brough, Independent Member 
Timothy Brueggeman, Nyrstar
Seth Burnett, Oak Ridge (TN) Fire Department
Clint Cabbage, Pasco County (FL) Sheriff's Office
Anthony Calk, Independent Member
Robin Camirand, Ontario Provincial Police
Allyn Crawford, Crawford Bringslid Vander Neut, LLP
Anthony Cummings, Knox County (TN) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Adam Daugherty, Oak Ridge (TN) Fire Department
Scott DeArmond, Knox County (TN) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Marcus Duncan, Knox County (TN) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Joshua Erbes, San Jose (CA) Police Department Air Support Unit
Milton Escobar, FIAAT / U.S. Embassy Guatemala (INL-G)
Sean Flynn, Anderson County (TN) Sheriff's Department
Josh Garner, TN Emergency Management Agency
Eddie Gibson, Knox County (TN) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Phil Glave, Canadian (QC) Helicopters Limited
Brad Goss, Roane County (TN) EMA
Joseph Grella, Nassau County (TN) Police Department
Evan Gulling, Nyrstar Tennessee Mines
Brandon Hemphil,l Knox County (TN) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Michael Holland, Knox County (TN) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Joshua Hoskins, Oak Ridge (TN) Fire Department
Melvin Jackson, Pinellas County (FL) Sheriff's Office Flight Unit
Richard Jimenez, Lake County (FL) Sheriff's Office
Glenn Jimenez, Texas Department of Public Safety
Michael Kittilstved, Spokane Valley (WA) Police Department
Matthew Lawson, Knox County (TN) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Michael LeBlanc, Clayton County (GA) Police Department
Kevin McCandrew, Knox County (TN) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Justin Morris, Knox County (TN) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Joseph Mullinax, Knox County (TN) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Shannon Newbold, Yolo County (CA) Sheriff's Aero Squadron
John Nice, Charleston County (SC) Sheriff's office
Lance Parker, Sacramento (CA) Sheriff's Office
Damian Peyinghaus, Pinellas County (FL) Sheriff's Office
Jorge Ramos, FIAAT/U.S. Embassy Guatemala (INL-G)
James Schipman, Guilford County (NC) Sheriff's Office
Carl Scott, Richmond (VA) Police Department
Christopher Sellers, Knox County (TN) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Michael Shamblin, Fairfax County (VA) Police Department Helicopter Division
John Sharp, Knox County (TN) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Glenn Simerly, Knox County (TN) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Robert Simpson, Knox County (TN) Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit
Raymond Ulrich, Florida Department of Law Enforcement Aviation Unit
Krista Weaver, Sevierville (TN) Police Department
Phillip West, Sevierville (TN) Police Department
Jeremy Whitefoot, Independent Member
Bruce Widzgowski, Pegasus Management Resources
Jeffrey Williams, Durham Regional (ON) Police Service