Fort Worth, TX - September 3, 2008 - Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced the delivery of a 412EP model medium lift helicopter to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, joining "Copter One," a model 212 Bell helicopter currently operated by the air support division. This new 412 will significantly enhance the citizens of San Diego access to 24 hour, seven days a week emergency response capability.
Brian Fennessy, Deputy Fire Chief said, "This is a major milestone in our efforts to ensure that residents have access to immediate and continuous aerial fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical services and has been a top priority for the Fire-Rescue Department since the Cedar Fires."
Bob Fitzpatrick, senior vice president for Marketing and Sales at Bell said, "We consider San Diego Fire-Rescue Department air operations to be representative of the response to the growing need for medium lift to support wildland-urban interface fires. We are proud to have been chosen to fulfill this role, and look forward to continuing to provide unequalled customer support to San Diego's pilots and maintainers."
Mike Blake, executive vice president for Customer Solutions added, "The Bell 412's reliability makes it an ideal helicopter for this type of mission. When you need a helicopter that you know will be able to perform day in and day out, people the world over count on Bell."
The 412 remains a popular model in a wide range of market segments. With its outstanding range and payload, the 412 has proven to be highly sought after for not only fire fighting, but missions supporting law enforcement, off shore oil exploration, emergency medical transport and corporate transport.
About Bell Helicopter
Bell Helicopter is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tilt rotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a $13.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 34 countries with approximately 44,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company , Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Fluid & Power, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at www.textron.com.
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