Seminole County Sheriff - Aviation - Florida

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) Aviation Section in Florida provides 24/7 aerial support using two Airbus H125 (AStar) helicopters, specializing in law enforcement patrol, search and rescue, and firefighting with a Bambi bucket. The unit is nationally accredited, utilizing advanced technology like thermal imaging and hoists to support over 400 calls annually. Key Capabilities and Operations Fleet: Operates two Airbus H125 (formerly AS350 B3e) helicopters. Mission Profile: Primarily supports patrol units with aerial surveillance, tracks suspects, finds missing persons, and conducts hoist rescues. Firefighting: Equipped with a Bambi bucket for water-dropping operations. Technology: Features gyro-stabilized high-definition thermal imagers and color cameras capable of detecting heat signatures from 1–2 miles away. Support & Reach: Covers 345 square miles in Seminole County, serving a population of ~450,000, and supports surrounding Florida counties, state, and federal agencies. Unit Structure and Training Personnel: Comprised of 10 full-time and 18 part-time members, including pilots and Tactical Flight Officers (TFOs). Training: The unit conducts in-house training, including night ops, NVG training, and simulator training for emergencies. Accreditation: In 2017, the SCSO Aviation Section became the only helicopter operation in Florida, and one of 12 in the country, to be accredited by the Airborne Law Enforcement Association's (ALEA) Public Safety Aviation Accreditation Commission (PSAAC). Partnerships and Equipment Metro Aviation: Handled the completions for the H125 fleet. Airbus: Provides the aircraft (manufactured in Columbus, Mississippi). Simulator: Uses an Elite Sim for instrument proficiency training.