22-Apr-2024 Source: ADAC Luftrettung
The non-profit ADAC Luftrettung will remain the operator of the “Christoph 32” rescue helicopter for another ten years. The special purpose association for emergency services and fire brigade alerting (ZRF) for the Ingolstadt region has now announced this following an EU-wide tender. The new contract with a term from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2035 was signed yesterday by Frédéric Bruder, Managing Director of ADAC Luftrettung gGmbH, District Administrator Peter von der Grün as ZRF Association Chairman and ZRF Managing Director Günther Griesche at the station at the Ingolstadt Clinic.
“With our offer, we were able to convince the provider that emergency medical care from the air is still in the best hands with us. At the same time, the award is an important sign of continuity for the people in the region. You will also know in the future: We are there!” emphasized Frédéric Bruder at a ceremony in the presence of the crew of “Christoph 32” as well as representatives of the clinic and partner organizations. The renewed commission is an important signal for the employees at the Ingolstadt location, he added. “After this decision, ADAC Luftrettung can continue to offer you stable and predictable framework conditions for your valuable work in the rescue service.”
“The special purpose association for rescue services and fire brigade alerting in the Ingolstadt region, as the sponsor of “Christoph 32”, congratulates the reliable partner, ADAC Luftrettung gGmbH, for ensuring air rescue in the region and looks forward to further good cooperation,” said association chairman Peter von der Grün.
“Christoph 32” is a fast emergency doctor shuttle and flying intensive care unit in one. With the commissioning of the ADAC rescue helicopter in 1991, a new era in air rescue began in northwestern Upper Bavaria. The Bundeswehr had previously launched rescue flights there with a SAR machine from the Bundeswehr base in Manching. To date, the Ingolstadt crews have been alerted to more than 41,600 emergencies.
A total of 23 team members are currently on rotation in Ingolstadt – in addition to two pilots and one pilot from ADAC Luftrettung, the crew is made up of 14 emergency doctors from Klinikums Ingolstadt GmbH and six emergency paramedics (TC HEMS) from the BRK district association Ingolstadt. The leading crew of “Christoph 32” consists of station manager and pilot Bernhard Stadler, emergency doctor Dr. Angelika Grünes and TC HEMS Tobias Wittmann.
The station meets the most modern standards and meets all applicable EU regulations. In 2015, another era began for the Ingolstadt air rescuers. After 24 years, the old BK117 was replaced by a modern H135 machine. The big advantages of this Airbus helicopter are the significantly lower noise emissions, its operational speed of up to 230 km/h and an enormous increase in safety for the crew and the patient. Machines of this type are also more maneuverable, use less kerosene and cause less downdraft during take-offs and landings, which makes them ideal for use in urban environments. If necessary, the H135 can also fly at night.
Flights operate daily from 7 a.m. to sunset. “Christoph 32” is alerted via the emergency number 112, dispatched by the integrated control center for the Ingolstadt region. The big advantages of the helicopter are its speed and its independence from difficult road or traffic situations. This means it can cover a distance of 70 kilometers in just 20 minutes.
In 2023, the crews from Ingolstadt took off on 1,564 rescue flights – that corresponds to an average of more than four missions per day. The number one cause of use for “Christoph 32” is injuries following accidents. These include leisure, sports, school and traffic accidents. This is followed by cardiovascular diseases and neurological emergencies such as strokes.
To ensure emergency medical care from the air in Germany, more than 1,350 people work for ADAC Luftrettung gGmbH and its subsidiaries nationwide – including around 170 pilots, around 600 emergency doctors, 230 emergency paramedics (TC HEMS) and around 200 Employees from technology and maintenance.
