Bell Textron Inc. has signed a purchase agreement with the City of Peoria, Arizona for a Bell 505 helicopter, as reported by Bell Textron Inc.
The helicopter will be the first to join Peoria Police and Fire Department’s new Aviation Unit, which was officially launched during APSCON 2024.
This unit will support both firefighting and law enforcement missions within the city.
The Bell 505 is expected to enhance public safety in Peoria, particularly in emergency response, search and rescue efforts, and firefighting services.
The helicopter will serve the city’s 195,000 residents and surrounding West Valley communities, improving response times for various public safety operations.
The Peoria Police and Fire Department plan to use the Bell 505 helicopter to bolster their aerial public safety support.
The Aviation Unit is expected to significantly increase emergency response times across Peoria’s 180-square-mile area, with a focus on improving outcomes for search and rescue and firefighting missions.
Peoria Mayor Jason Beck commented on the importance of the new helicopter: “The Bell 505 aircraft is the perfect tool that will get our first responders on scene more quickly and ultimately save lives.”
This addition marks a step forward in the city’s public safety efforts, offering new capabilities to serve its residents.
The Bell 505 helicopter is known for its versatile design and advanced technology, making it ideal for public safety missions.
It is equipped with a Safran Arrius 2R engine, dual-channel FADEC, and Garmin G1000H NXi avionics suite.
These features, combined with wide panoramic windows and an open cabin design, enhance visibility and operational efficiency during critical missions.
In addition to these features, the helicopter includes Synthetic Vision technology, which provides a clear and detailed view of the surrounding terrain, aiding pilots in navigating challenging environments.
The Bell 505’s design and capabilities are particularly well-suited for the demands of public safety work.
Bell Textron Inc. has provided additional support to the Peoria Police and Fire Department through its police aviation startup consultation service.
This service offers step-by-step guidance from Bell’s public safety experts to agencies looking to establish or enhance their aviation units.
The Peoria Police and Fire Department benefited from this service during the creation of their new Aviation Unit, ensuring a smooth launch and operation.
Lane Evans, managing director of North America at Bell Textron, said: “We are thrilled that the Peoria Police and Fire Department have chosen Bell to lead the creation of their aviation unit.” This collaboration between Bell and Peoria highlights the importance of tailored support and expertise in establishing effective public safety aviation programs.
The City of Peoria, Arizona, has signed a purchase agreement with Bell Textron Inc.
for a Bell 505 helicopter, marking the first aircraft to join the newly established Aviation Unit of the Peoria Police and Fire Department.
The unit, launched during APSCON 2024, will support firefighting and law enforcement missions across Peoria and the surrounding West Valley cities.
The Bell 505, equipped with advanced technology and designed for public safety missions, will enhance the city’s emergency response capabilities.
Bell also provided consultation services to support the creation of Peoria’s aviation unit, ensuring a successful launch.
