Mallorca’s firefighters have completed training their teams to operate the new Milana helicopter, which is now fully available for rescues and firefighting throughout the island. A total of 40 firefighters from the Mountain Rescue Group (GRM) have completed a specific course, which has enabled them to get on and off the aircraft, perform manoeuvres with the crane in real environments, such as coves or cliffs, and learn all the safety procedures for air rescues.
Starting this week, the Milana now has two rescue units on duty every day, in addition to the pilots and the crane operator, to be able to respond immediately to emergencies, according to a press release from the Council of Mallorca. And all fire stations in Mallorca have received basic training to familiarise themselves with the helicopter.
During these sessions, held at the Petra aerodrome, the Alcudia, Arta, Calvia, Felanitx, Inca, Llucmajor and Manacor fire stations learned how to approach the aircraft safely, how to board it if necessary, and which access points to avoid. In addition, two members of the corps have completed specialised training and are now responsible for passing on their knowledge and skills to the rest of the firefighters.
From now on, and especially during the first few months, daily practice manoeuvres will be carried out to gain experience and confidence among pilots, crane operators and rescuers. “The most important thing is that our staff are now trained to use the Milana safely and effectively. From now on, daily practice will continue so that they are increasingly better trained,” said the island’s director of emergencies, Joan Fornàs.
The island’s councillor for finance, innovation and public service, Rafel Bosch, stressed that as of today, the Milana is 100% operational. ‘This means that it can now not only be used to extinguish fires, but is also available for rescue operations,’ he said. The specialised unit of the Mallorca Fire Brigade, the Mountain Rescue Group, has already received the necessary training for these rescues, which can involve extreme risk, and we can therefore now provide a comprehensive service to the public, now also from the air.
‘The Milana was a long-standing demand of the firefighters and we are very pleased to take this qualitative leap forward, which will make this public service more efficient,’ added Bosch.
The official presentation ceremony took place in the Molino de Son Bugadelles park in Santa Ponsa, with the participation of the authorities and the presence of qualified firefighters, who provided details about the training and demonstrations of the aircraft. With the addition of the Milana, the Mallorca Fire Department significantly strengthens its emergency response capacity, combining a highly trained team with a first-rate technical resource to ensure the safety of citizens and the protection of the natural environment.