Sunday, June 30, 2013

Pasadena Police Show Off Helicopters at Open House


The Pasadena Police Department’s Air Operations Section hosted its annual open house at the Benedict Heliport in Altadena on Saturday. 

As part of the Foothill Air Support Team, otherwise known as FAST, the section also serves other communities in the San Gabriel Valley, including Alhambra, Arcadia, Covina, Monrovia, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, and Pomona.
Officers were on hand to show off some of the department's six helicopters, and there were also demonstrations from SWAT, K9 and motorcycle units. See the attached video for some highlights from the event.

Here are some interesting facts about FAST according to the Pasadena Police Department's website:

  • Air Operations personnel respond to approximately 6,000 calls per year.
  • The average response time to a call for the helicopter is 72 seconds. The air crews were the first officers on scene approximately 35% of the time. Approximately 4,000 calls are handled each year by the air crew allowing ground officers to respond to other calls for service. 
  • The Air Operations Section participates in approximately 200 arrests each year.
  • In order to participate in the FAST program, each agency has agreed to provide a qualified and motivated police officer to perform the role of Tactical Flight Officer (TFO). Following a rigorous training schedule, this new TFO works alongside a Pasadena Pilot to serve the FAST cities.
The Benedict Heliport is located at 2175 Yucca Lane in Altadena just off the 210 Freeway at the Arroyo/Windsor Exit.

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