Rescue helicopters will have to land on streets in the future - fire brigade on alert!

Rescue helicopters will have to land on streets in the future - fire brigade on alert!

A dramatic change in the Vogelsberg district: The last official helipad at the district hospital in Alsfeld was deregistered! As of now, rescue helicopters have to land on streets or meadows, which presents the emergency services with new challenges. This decision, which came into force on November 11, was made after coordination with various organizations, but the fire brigade Alsfeld only experienced by using this serious change.

The deregistration of the landing site is part of a new building project at the hospital and not due to structural or organizational problems. "It is not planned for a new commissioning," explains the hospital. In the future, the pilot will decide where it can end up, but this should not affect emergency care. Nevertheless, the fire brigade, which had already had 299 missions in 2023, is now also requested because it often has to secure and illuminate the lands. "We would have liked better communication in advance," said city fire inspector Daniel Schäfer, who emphasizes the effects on the volunteer forces.

fire brigade under pressure

The fire brigade Alsfeld is now increasingly required for operations that are connected to the support of rescue helicopters. Last year, the fire brigade had to help with 29 missions, including with illuminating the landing site. "A prepared landing site makes our work easier," adds Schäfer. The deregistration of the landing site could also burden the emergency services, since they now have to intervene in sports fields or meadows for unforeseen landings.

The situation in Alsfeld is not an isolated case. There were similar problems in Lauterbach three years ago when the helipad was deregistered. The then city fire inspector had already warned that the fire brigade had to concentrate on its core tasks in order to maintain voluntary work. Despite the challenges, the fire brigade remains determined to fulfill its important role in emergency care.