Police helicopter squadron trains on rescue hoist
The police helicopter squadron practiced using rescue winches in Winningen (Mayen-Koblenz district) on Friday. It was the first time that Rhineland-Palatinate police helicopter pilots and on-board technicians had been trained for future rescue winch missions, according to the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of the Interior. The training took place on an external machine, and high-altitude rescuers from the Koblenz professional fire department were also involved.
The police are due to receive two new helicopters in summer 2024. "The more powerful helicopters will help to ensure that the police can continue to operate from the air in the best possible way to find missing persons, carry out searches or quickly bring special units to the scene of an incident," said Interior Minister Michael Ebling (SPD) during the training visit, according to a press release.
"However, it is also important to us that the new helicopters take into account the needs of civil protection and enable people to be rescued using a winch." A water tank with a capacity of 820 liters is also used to fight fires from the air.
The state is investing around 300,000 euros in basic training for the crew and air rescuers in 2023 and 2024, the statement continued. A new command vehicle worth more than 100,000 euros will be used for mobile control of the helicopter squadron in future.
The police helicopter squadron's new helicopters, arriving in summer 2024, will not only aid in police operations but also contribute to air traffic management during civil emergencies, ensuring safe winch rescues. In the event of a city-wide crisis, coordination between the police and air traffic control will be crucial.
Source: www.dpa.com
