The City of Peoria will “cut the ribbon” to commemorate the debut of its first Aviation Unit and reveal the new Bell 505 helicopter, as a new tool to enhance public safety capabilities in the West Valley.

The Ribbon Cutting is planned for Tuesday, August 20, 7:30 a.m., in the Centennial Plaza Amphitheater, behind City Hall, 8401 W. Monroe Street.  Please note that City Hall is undergoing a roof replacement, so please be mindful of construction near the event site.

Mayor Jason Beck, Police Chief Thomas Intrieri and Assistant Fire-Medical Chief Justin Gorospe will also be speaking at the event.

As Peoria continues to experience rapid growth, the need for additional police and fire resources becomes increasingly important to ensure the safety of our residents. With a planning area spanning over 233 square miles, it can be challenging for first responders to cover such a large area in emergency situations. The addition of this state-of-the-art aviation unit will expand law enforcement capabilities, search and rescue services, firefighting efforts, and significantly decrease response times throughout the city.

The Peoria City Council’s Strategic Priority of “Public Safety” recognized the need for this aviation unit and prioritized investing in the safety of first responders and community members. Mayor Jason Beck secured state funding in the amount of $3.5 million dollars through Arizona State Senate Bill 1702 to purchase a helicopter and establish an aviation unit.

On December 12, 2023, the Peoria City Council approved the purchase of a Bell 505 helicopter to create the city’s first-ever advanced Aviation Unit to support Peoria Fire and Police.

The Aviation Unit will grow over phases and is expected to be fully deployed by October 2025 and will also be available for use by surrounding West Valley cities upon request.