The leaders of Orange County’s sheriff and fire departments have been summoned to appear before the Board of Supervisors out of concern that the helicopter war raging between the agencies may lead to a mid-air collision.
Supervisor Todd Spitzer said Monday he is also concerned that sheriff’s deputies might start arresting Orange County Fire Authority pilots in the fight over who should conduct air rescues.
For two years, sheriff’s and fire pilots have disputed in public, sometimes racing each other to get their helicopters to rescue scenes.
“That kind of behavior is going to cause a horrible, horrible disaster,” Spitzer said.
Last week, Spitzer and Supervisor Shawn Nelson called Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and fire authority Chief Pat McIntosh to appear at Tuesday’s board meeting.