Helicopters have become an indispensable aid for dealing with disasters. They particularly come into their own when they are put into operation during the initial stages after the disaster has taken place. People who have fallen victim to a catastrophe or are endangered by a disaster cannot afford to wait until a “clearer picture” of the damage has been established. In fact, the helicopter can contribute towards establishing this picture, and as a result should be promptly called out as soon as “a major occurrence” has taken place. It is advisable that the procedures for rescue operations of this kind are prepared in advance by an authorised body. The final decision-making powers should be delegated as far as possible to those at the scene of the disaster. Otherwise considerable time might be wasted which could lead to very serious consequences.The more extensive the disaster area, the more remote the location, the more inaccessible the terrain, and the more difficult the approach - the greater the advantage, indeed the necessity, of rapid assistance by air.In Switzerland, a coordinated air-rescue service has been conceived and provided for by contract between Rega and the Swiss Air Force. This concept is a joint arrangement between civilian and military air-rescue organisations.The deployment of military units in case of a disaster is an integral part of this concept. The employment of troops always follows the principle of subsidiarity, that is, military assistance is only provided when civilian resources have been exhausted.The objectives of the coordinated air-rescue service are: Optimal utilisation of all available personnel and resources Cooperation in regard of: exchange of experiences training exchange of rescue staff. The allocation of tasks between the civilian rescue teams and the military emergency forces is regulated as follows:
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