Helicopter battalion carries out emergency drill in Valencia

The 2nd Emergency Helicopter Battalion (BHELEME II, by its Spanish acronym) carried out an emergency drill on 3 December in the vicinity of the base “Jaime I” in Bétera (Valencia), in order to put to the test the Aerial Emergency Response Plan.

As well as the unit’s own equipment (an HU-27 helicopter and a fire engine), the drill involved the use of external resources contemplated in the Emergency Plan for the Valencia region: Two fire engines from the Valencia Fire Consortium, an ambulance from the Valencia Emergency Medical Attention Service, a second ambulance fitted to provide basic life support, intervention vehicles from the Civil Guard and Bétera municipal police, and other support vehicles.

The drill also involved personnel specialised in early intervention, firefighting, rescue, safety, health, coordination and control, from BHELEME II, Bétera municipal police, the Civil Guard, the Emergencies Coordination Centre of Valencia’s regional government, the Valencia Fire Consortium and the Valencia Emergency Medical Attention Service.

The Plan was put into action after a simulated emergency call by a pilot warning of a helicopter accident in the vicinity of the base. Its development was followed by observers from the participating services with a view to improving procedures and coordination in future emergencies.

Simulated injured pilot being evacuated by helicopter (Photo: FAMET)