SONOMA COUNTY,
CALIFORNIA
1,604 square miles of mountainous forest, narrow river
canyons, and steep coastal cliffs bordered by the world's
largest ocean. The diverse beauty that beckons visitors
from around the world also contains environmental elements
potentially hazardous to life and limb.
Being airlifted to safety by a rescue helicopter is
the last thing anyone has on their mind. Fortunately,
there are a handful of professionals who make the business
of rescue their top priority...
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Current Employment Opportunities
Pilots and Paramedics, click here.
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Flight ETA Map
From Henry 1's hangar at the Sonoma County Airport in Santa
Rosa, CA to surrounding counties.
Click map to enlarge |
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Screen Saver |
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Download this free screen saver [6.0MB]. The Henry 1 screen
saver contains 18 images of the rescue helicopter and crew
in action.
Click image to
download
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Videos
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Cliff Rescue
A cyclist inadvertantly drives off a 70ft cliff. Pilot Andrew
MacRitchie, Deputy Sgt. Eric Thomson, and rescue medic Kim
Martinez are dispatched to a cliff rescue in Contra Costa
County.
Go to the Video Page
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Henry 1 pilot Paul Bradley takes us on a
tour of the rescue helicopter and demonstrates how helicopters
fly.
Right
click here to download
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Air Show Demo
The rescue helicopter and crew perform a long line rescue
demo that's about as up close and personal as you'll ever
get without actually being the victim. Our five camera shoot
puts you in the pilot's seat, on the rescue line and in
the middle of the action.
Go to the Video
Page
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America's Most Wanted
Pilot Paul Bradley, Sheriff Bill Cogbill, and Henry 1 were
featured in the August 28, 2004 episode of America's Most
Wanted.
Go to the Video Page
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Fire Suppression
Fire season started early in Marin County this year. Henry
1 pilot Andrew MacRitchie, and crew were on hand for the initial
attack with almost sixty bucket drops in hilly terrain. See
how MacRitchie and the Bell 407 helicopter get it done - inside
and out.
Go to the Video Page |
Highway 1: Auto vs. Tree
A car, traveling at an estimated speed of 50-60 mph, crossed
the center divide, exited the highway, and struck a large
tree. The car is on its side and the driver is barely visible
under the crushed roof. Sea Ranch Fire, State Parks, and the
Sheriff's Department rescue helicopter are on scene for the
extrication, stabilization, and transport.
Go to the Video Page
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Night Vision Goggles (NVG)
See the NVG Night Vision Goggles Page to peer into the world
of the eerie green glow - the world of Anvis 9 Night Vision
Goggles (NVG) - where all things are seen.
[Go to the Video Page |
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Helicopters Are Laying Down The
Law
The Sonoma County Sheriff Bell 407 and crew is featured in
this Helicopter Association International article on helicopters
in law enforcement.
Helicopters play a unique and vital role in law enforcement.
Helicopter Association International (HAI) counts 97 members
worldwide who are involved in law enforcement... Helicopters
provide law enforcement with a tactical advantage in dangerous
situations...
Download
PDF 871KB
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Video Outtake #236
I have never posted an outtake on this site. I usually reserve
them for the crew Christmas party, never again to see the
light of day, but this one begs to be shown. Just another
testament to the incredible skills Henry 1 pilots bring to
the operation and hone to an artform over time. Why are they
the best? Click the image and see for yourself.
Click on the image to stream
the video or right-click to download
Search and Rescue from the Tactical Flight Officer's Perspective
Tactical Flight Officers (TFO) are responsible for the outcome
of each and every mission. There is no such thing as a cookie
cutter call-out. Each comes with its own set of challenges
and it's up to the TFO to manage every aspect. In this search
and rescue, TFO Pete Quartarolo is called out for a hunter
who has slipped and fallen down a ravine in a remote area
of Sonoma County. Rangers and the Army Corps of Engineers
are scouring the ground in search of the victim. Henry 1 is
called out to assist. You have a helicopter, a pilot and a
medic, people on the ground, and very little information.
What would you do?
Click on the image
to launch the photo story or right-click to download
Diver Rescue
The FLIR camera captures an ocean rescue
of three abalone divers approximately 50 yards offshore. When
Henry 1 and crew arrived, a stricken diver was being held
up by his two dive buddies. Pilot, Paul Bradley, Sgt. Eric
Thomson, and rescue paramedic Jeff Lemlin go in for the rescue.
South Coast Fire and Coast Life Support (Medic 120) stand
by on the cliffside.
Right click on the image below to download
the video
NVG Video
Calls for lost hikers are common
in Sonoma County. This is a split screen video demonstrating
the capabilities of the rescue helicopter and Anvis 9 NVGs
(Night Vision Goggles) during a search for two lost hikers
on a ridge. Not only do the Anvis 9 NVGs allow for obvious
identification of the hikers, but more importantly the surrounding
mountainous terrain - not visible to unaided eyes - is clearly
visible with the use of NVGs. In this case the hiker's light
source is a flashlight. NVGs are also sensitive to lighters
- and on moonless nights - the light generated by cell phones. Go
to the Video Page
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