SANTA BARBARA – The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department and Fire Department have merged their aviation units saving the county more than $270,000.
It's been months in the making as the Board of Supervisors subcommittee on public safety along with Sheriff Bill Brown and Chief Michael Dyer came up with a collaborative plan.
The new agreement will utilize the fleet of six helicopters and one Cessna more efficiently.
"The result of that is what we're seeing now is going to be better service for a savings of over a quarter of a million dollars for the tax payers so it really is win-win," said Sheriff's Department Spokesperson Drew Sugars.
Without the merger, the program would cost nearly $2.3 million but under the new agreement, that amount will be reduced to $1.99 million.
"The aviation unit is very expensive, everybody understands that," said Sugars. "It's also vital in an area like Santa Barbara County; up to 90 percent of this county is rural, a lot of it back country."
The rugged terrain in Santa Barbara County increases wildfire danger and people who might need search and rescue assistance if they get lost in the hills. The collaboration will provide more service for the public.
Seven days a week, two crews will be available in the new joint schedule to aid in fire or law enforcement emergencies.
The Santa Barbara County Air Support Unit agreement will begin July 1.
