Collier Commissioners approve $750K for firefighting chopper

NAPLES, Fla. The Collier County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to spend $750,000 on a new firefighting helicopter.

Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk asked for the chopper that can immediately dump water on fires.

Commissioner Penny Taylor earlier questioned the idea, since the state can provide the same sort of technology. But first responders argued having the helicopter at the ready within the county — instead of having to fly one in from another part of Florida — could prove a critical timesaver.

“We’re gonna be able to do emergency response much more quickly than making a request from other communities such as Miami-Dade or the Coast Guard,” Rambosk said.

Taylor ultimately voted to approve the expenditure. The helicopter costs $400,000, and the rest of the money will be used on hoisting and training.

All of the money for the chopper will come from the county’s sheriff reserve fund.

The helicopter the county is buying is a used model that was once part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s fleet. A brand new helicopter would cost $6.5 million.

Below is video of the same model helicopter in action:

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