DRF Luftrettung report three per cent increase in missions in 2022

German HEMS operator DRF Luftrettung recorded an increase in missions over the past year.

The helicopters and aircraft of the air rescue organization were alerted 39,308 times between January and December 2022. This is an increase of three per cent compared with 2021, when 38,076 missions took place.

The main reasons for alerts were medical emergencies such as heart attacks or strokes, as well as accidents in traffic, at work and during leisure activities.

Dr Krystian Pracz, Chairperson of the DRF Luftrettung Executive Board, said: “Even very challenging conditions have not prevented us from living up to our aspiration of providing the best, comprehensive and uninterrupted emergency assistance from the air.

“We were there for people, developed further and drove key projects forward. My heartfelt thanks go to all the staff who made this possible through their professionalism and dedication.”

Another highlight for the air rescue operator was the arrival of the first trainee pilots to begin their helicopter pilot training at the DRF Luftrettung Academy in September. Six men and one woman attended the Operation Center at Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport and were introduced to the new training helicopter, an R44.

The air rescue teams also continued the renewal of its fleet, with the last EC145 helicopter replaced by a H145. Additionally, the H145 fleet are being retrofitted with a five-bladed rotor system, with a total of 10 aircraft already flying with the new system.

Other developments include the introduction of NIDA software for the digital collection and transmission of mission, and the launch of the DRF Luftrettung app. This app allows air rescue partners, such as hospitals, emergency dispatching centers and ground-based emergency services to find checklists, tips and further information.

DRF Luftrettung recently celebrated Christoph Nürnberg’s 30 years of operations.