Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) has signed a contract with Leonardo for four AW139 intermediate twin-engine helicopters. They will undertake a range of missions — primarily fire suppression, emergency medical services (EMS) and search and rescue (SAR) — and will have special equipment, including a cargo hook, rescue hoist and ‘Bambi’ bucket.

The first helicopter is expected to be delivered from Leonardo’s Philadelphia facility in Q3 2020. A comprehensive five-year support, maintenance and training package will be provided (with the possibility of an extension to 15 years).

Located on the south-east tip of the Florida peninsula, Miami-Dade is the most populous county in the state.

It encompasses more than 2,000 square miles, and one third of the county is in Everglades National Park.

Miami-Dade Air Rescue is frequently asked to provide support to neighbouring counties, including Monroe, Collier, Broward and Lee.

The AW139 (www.leonardocompany.com), which ‘celebrated’ its 1,000th delivery in September, is ‘the most successful global helicopter programme in the last 15 years’, with more than 280 operators in over 70 countries to date.

In the USA, the AW139’s customers include the Los Angeles Fire Department, and the New Jersey and Maryland Police Departments, among many others, while the US Air Force will introduce the AW139-based Boeing MH-139 to replace
its UH-1N fleet.

The AW139 is used in many countries world-wide for firefighting, rescue and law enforcement duties.