An extensive training programme in aerial rescue, aimed at air and medical crew members on Mobile Service for Emergency, Reanimation and Extrication (SMURD) helicopters as well as mountain rescuers from Salvamont services across the country, begins on Monday in Busteni, in the Bucegi Mountains.

The programme is organised by the Department for Emergency Situations and the General Aviation Inspectorate, with the support and expertise of lecturers from REGA - Swiss Air-Rescue, one of Europe's most prestigious organisations in the field of aerial rescue.

Over the next three years, the programme will include four training sessions each year, giving as many mountain rescuers and aeromedical crew members as possible the opportunity to develop and improve the skills required for helicopter-assisted interventions, the National Salvamont Dispatch Centre said on its Facebook page on Monday.

According to the source, participation in the programme by Salvamont services was established following a nationwide analysis, consultations with all Salvamont services, an assessment of the number of operational aerial mountain rescuers, the specific characteristics of mountain areas and the caseload of interventions in recent years.

'The resumption of this programme is an important moment and a natural continuation of the training process for aerial mountain rescuers, which was interrupted almost five years ago. The experience accumulated so far has unequivocally demonstrated the value of this training. A rescuer who is well trained for aerial interventions means faster interventions, safer procedures, better coordination with the aeromedical crew and, ultimately, greater chances for people in difficulty in mountain areas.

'In the past three years, 463 mountain rescue operations have been carried out in Romania with helicopter support. These figures demonstrate how important air support has become in rescue missions and the need for the training of everyone involved to keep pace with the complexity of these interventions. Through this programme, important steps are being taken to strengthen an integrated aerial mountain rescue system in which the experience of mountain rescuers is combined with the expertise of aeromedical crews and the operational capacity of SMURD helicopters,' the source said. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Andreea Rotaru; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)

Photo source: Salvamont Romania-Dispeceratul National Salvamont/Facebook.com