King County rescue helicopters get more than $1M federal upgrade for faster emergency response

King County’s Sheriff’s Office rescue helicopters will receive more than $1 million in federal funding secured by U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier to upgrade equipment and improve emergency response across western Washington. The money will fund new rescue hoists, instrument panel upgrades, transmission improvements, and electronic enhancements to strengthen the region’s only full-time patrol and rescue air unit, which serves hikers, wildfire response, flood evacuations, and other emergencies that affect Maple Valley residents and visitors.