At the Airborne Public Safety Association's conference (APSCON) late last week in Houston, Textron subsidiary Bell signed three purchase agreements for helicopters and delivered two Bell 407GXis.

The Louisiana State Police took delivery of the two 407GXis, adding to the Air Support Unit’s all-Bell fleet that includes a 407GXP, two 430s, a UH-1H and UH-1V, a Huey II, and a 206L4 Long Ranger.

Meanwhile, San Diego’s Fire-Rescue Department said it is buying a Subaru Bell 412EPX to expand emergency-response capabilities. “The aircraft's high-altitude power, increased weight capabilities, and spacious interior will greatly improve our emergency response capabilities, allowing us to better serve the city of San Diego and the surrounding communities,” said Chuck Macfarland, chief of air operations for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

The two 505 orders include one for Spokane, Washington's county sheriff’s office, which operates Bell OH-58s and a UH-1H. The Spokane Regional Air Support Unit plans to expand its search-and-rescue capabilities, homeland security activities, and natural disaster damage assessment support.

Making its first helicopter purchase, the city of Peoria, Arizona, signed a purchase agreement for a Bell 505 to launch the Peoria Police and Fire Department’s aviation unit. The unit will use the helicopter for public safety missions covering the city’s 180 square miles, serving 195,000 residents in the Phoenix outskirts and surrounding West Valley cities.