Additionally during 2011, members of the Department of Defense came to Pinal County to conduct a yearly “Program Compliance Review.” After the review was completed, DOD personnel filmed a training video which is being created to demonstrate how law enforcement agencies can make maximum utilization of this highly beneficial program. Tom Gaupel, who coordinates the program for the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, was named as the assistant state 1033 program coordinator last year as well.
The equipment PCSO has obtained through this incredible program is not only used by members of our office, but also by other departments and first responders in Pinal County who support our public safety operations. We have allowed other law enforcement agencies to use the equipment we have obtained during times of need such as the 2011 Monument fire and Wallow fire.
Some of the equipment we have obtained for our office to use for law enforcement operations include: Humvees, Casspir armored vehicle, semi‐trucks, 5‐ton rescue trucks, tow truck, travel trailer, dump truck, tractors, front‐end loader, blazers, fuel truck, bus, water truck, night vision equipment, thermal imaging equipment, ballistic shields, binoculars, backpacks, emergency blankets, computer equipment, medical kits, tools, helicopter, helicopter engines, bomb robots, generators, blankets and sheets (for inmates), jail kitchen equipment and cameras.
PCSO has also loaned medical equipment we have acquired to San Manuel Fire, Mammoth Fire, Casa Grande Regional Fire, Casa Grande Fire, Kearny Fre, Oracle Fire, Queen Valley Fire and South West Ambulance. The equipment has included a fire truck, 5‐ ton rescue trucks, defibrillators, pulse Oximeters, Humvees and breathing apparatuses.
Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, “The equipment we have obtained from the military through the 1033 program has assisted public safety and law enforcement operations in Pinal County beyond comparison. The equipment has allowed our office to continue to improve our operations during these tough economic times. The fact we have the ability to loan the equipment to other first responders who are not able to afford to purchase it otherwise improves public safety for our member and the public in general.”
