An S-70 Black Hawk helicopter, purchased through the rescEU programme, which is fully financed by the European Union, landed on Thursday at the headquarters of the General Aviation Inspectorate of the Ministry of Interior (MAI), according to a DSU (Department for Emergency Situations) press release sent to AGERPRES on Friday.
The aircraft is part of a European strategic fleet, distributed in several member states, composed of five medium-heavy helicopters and ten "Canadair" aircraft, intended to ensure a rapid and efficient response to disasters at European level.
"The landing of this helicopter marks the transition from planning to a real operational capacity. After completing the reception procedures, this aircraft will be ready to take off to save lives, anywhere in Europe, in the name of European solidarity," head of the DSU, secretary of state Raed Arafat, said in the abovementioned press release.
The delivery of the helicopter is part of the implementation of the rescEU programme, a component of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, which creates a strategic reserve of common capacities for intervention in large-scale emergencies, when national capacities are exceeded.
In the following period, a reception committee will be established that will carry out the specific procedures, including detailed technical checks, inspection of medical equipment and fire-fighting equipment, as well as verification flights, to confirm compliance with contractual specifications and European safety standards.
The aircraft is equipped with the "Bambi Bucket" system, with a capacity of more than 3,000 litres of water, and can be used for extinguishing forest fires, search and rescue missions - including by using the winch to extract victims from difficult-to-reach areas or from the maritime environment - evacuation and emergency medical transport (MEDEVAC), including for patients in critical condition, with intensive care equipment on board.
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