EPSO welcomes Colorado’s custom firefighting helicopter
(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — On Friday, Nov. 1, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office (EPSO) announced that Sheriff and Fire Warden Joseph Roybal recently welcomed the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control's Firehawk helicopter and crew to the El Paso County Emergency Services facility.
"I am excited to have a strong partnership with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control," said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. "Having resources such as this Firehawk helicopter available to our community and communities across Colorado will be invaluable when combatting fires and conducting search and rescue operations."
The Colorado Legislature approved $24 million in funding for the state's first custom firefighting helicopter in 2021, with near-unanimous support in both chambers just months after another severe fire season.
"I was impressed by the technical capabilities of the aircraft and helitack, as well as the historical, hands-on knowledge of the captain and crew," said Roybal. "Wildfires can quickly devastate homesteads, neighborhoods, and communities, and this resource will allow emergency services, first responders, and law enforcement to quickly and effectively reduce the threat. I thank Battalion Chief Brenda Wasielewski for our collaborative partnership to fight wildfires in the Pikes Peak region."
The Firehawk, a retrofitted Black Hawk helicopter, is equipped for wildfire response. It features custom technology for fire crews and a 1,000-gallon water tank that can be quickly released to target hot spots.
"Colorado is a beautiful place to live, work, and visit, and preventing devastating wildfires is critical to the health and welfare of all," said Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control Battalion Chief Brenda Wasielewski. "I wanted to bring our Firehawk to showcase another State resource, in addition to our State 10-person handcrew 'Tava' stationed here locally in a County facility. We are ready to support our partners by ground or by air."
The Firehawk helicopter and crew are based at an airport in Broomfield, Colorado. In early 2024, the Colorado Legislature funded a second helicopter to be delivered in 2025.