COUNTYWIDE : Sheriff’s Copter Put to the Test by Fire, Chase

The Ventura County Sheriff Department’s newest chopper has received a baptism by fire, literally.

The former Navy helicopter, which the department has spent two years restoring, had just finished its trial flight when a fire broke out in Ojai on Aug. 25. The chopper, which can cruise at more than 160 m.p.h., rushed to the scene. With its 340-gallon water tank, the chopper helped save several homes along the Arnez Grade.

No rest for the weary.

As the air crew was returning to the heliport, a message came over the radio announcing a high-speed car chase in Camarillo. Once again, the helicopter took off and in seconds the crew spotted the suspect vehicle. According to sheriff’s reports, the air crew informed the deputies on the ground that the suspect was armed and enabled them to chase him down.

The Navy used the 1970 Huey as a rescue helicopter in Florida until the Sheriff’s Department acquired it in 1993 as part of a military conversion program.

The department plans to use the chopper--which is capable of carrying nine passengers--for law enforcement, firefighting and search and rescue. The helicopter is equipped with a jet engine and enough fuel capacity for a three-hour mission. It also has a rescue hoist that can lift a 600-pound load.

“It will help us perform our rescues more safely and get into tighter spots,” Deputy Dave Nadon said.

Though the chopper packs night vision gear, it also has a 30-million candlepower searchlight. The department is scheduled to commission “Copter 5” at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the county sheriff’s heliport in Camarillo.