Kootenai County recently got a new search and rescue helicopter. Read more about it between the lede:
- Kootenai County in Idaho has approved a two-year, donation-funded pilot program for a helicopter unit for search and rescue purposes, with volunteer pilots who have at least 1,000 hours of flight time.
- The helicopter, a 1994 BELL 206, was purchased and upgraded using donated funds, with additional equipment like a thermal camera and spotlight purchased using $100,000 of asset forfeiture funds.
- Annual expenses for the helicopter unit are estimated to be around $71,500, and no county funds will be used to support the program beyond the $10,000 previously allocated to Spokane County each year for its helicopter.
Kootenai County helicopter unit takes off
COEUR d’ALENE — Kootenai County’s own helicopter unit has been cleared for takeoff.. . . .
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