Great idea here!
WHITEWATER, Colo -- Only 10% of Search and Rescue operations on the Western Slope require helicopter support, but they're the most serious and expensive missions.
Lt. Jim Fogg with Mesa County Sheriffs Office says, "They’re not cheap to operate and they're not cheap to maintain."
But now the program has found a way to cut the costs.
"CenturyLink approached us about three months ago and said they'd like to assist us is search and rescue missions," Fogg said.
Randy Krause, Market Development Manager with CenturyLink says, "We have a resource we felt we could help utilize in the efforts for the Search and Rescue Control Team."
Through an unexpected partnership, Mesa County will save around a thousand dollars an hour thanks to CenturyLink. But adding a helicopter to the fleet has many more benefits than that.
"It means an invaluable resource that can truly expedite a search and rescue mission and life saving type scenario," Fogg said. The program now has two volunteer helicopters that can be ready to go at moment's notice.
"If one is down or if one is out of town and cant make it, we have another one to call and see if they can help us," Search and Rescue member Doug Sieckert said.
After five years with search and rescue, Sieckert knows exactly how important helicopters are.
"If we need some help, they'll bring us in or drop us off to the victim,” Sieckert said. “Or they'll bring the victim out or the team members out also."
"This is a great thing that a large national cooperation would step in and help us with this kind of a resource,” Lt. Fogg said. CenturyLink is letting Mesa County Search and Rescue use its helicopter for absolutely no charge.
Officials say that’s they're way of giving back.
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