The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Helicopter Unit and their Bell 407, call sign “Henry One”, is a law enforcement unit charged with multi-mission responsibilities that include Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, ALS Medical Transport, and Fire Suppression. The helicopter unit is best known for regularly executing long line rescues quickly and efficiently in challenging environments and conditions when conventional rescue techniques are constrained by terrain, time, or available resources.

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Helicopter Unit regularly trains for:

• Cliffs
• Narrow
• Canyons
• Dense Forest with Tall Canopies
• Swift Water
• Ocean Surf
• Body Recoveries

Additionally, the flight operations may provide air support to other law enforcement agencies during life-threatening and emergency situations.

Search

Henry 1 can rapidly survey large areas for lost individuals or fleeing suspects. The helicopter is equipped with a 25 million candle power spot light, forward looking infrared (FLIR), and night vision goggles (NVG) to locate victims or suspects who may not be readily visible due to darkness or other obstacles.

Rescue (Long Line)

The helicopter unit uses a rescue technique known as long line rescue. The technique, oversimplified, is to attach one end of a 50, 100, or 200 foot rescue line to the external cargo hooks of the helicopter, and the opposite end of the rescue line to the crew member(s) executing the physical rescue. The pilot flies the rescuer to the victim, the rescuer secures the victim – the pilot, rescuer, and victim fly to a safe area where further medical attention can be provided if necessary.
The advantages of this technique are numerous. It puts two rescuers on the ground, it is extremely accurate, and it is exponentially faster than other extrication techniques – especially if multiple victims need to be rescued.

All these factors minimize exposure to inherent dangers to the pilot, the rescuer, and the victim. The crews that execute long line rescues are experts in this technique.

ALS Medical Transport

Henry 1 is staffed and equipped for advanced life support missions and can transport victims to the appropriate facility immediately following a rescue. The rescue paramedics onboard Henry 1 are highly experienced in the field and are specifically trained to operate in the helicopter unit’s multi-mission environment.

Fire suppression

Henry 1 uses a 150 gallon Bambi bucket during fire suppression missions. The bucket is slung below the helicopter, dipped into nearby water sources, and released over the fire. This capability is especially useful when other fire fighting resources are unavailable.