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Project
The DRF Air Rescue Station at Niebüll, Schleswig-Holstein was opened on 1st April 2005. The bringing into service of the rescue helicopter "Christoph Europa 5" signalled the start of the first border-crossing air rescue operation between Germany and Denmark and of the Cross-Border Air Rescue project. The project is being financed by EU project support funds granted under Interreg III A. Interreg III A is a community initiative of the European Union for the promotion of cooperation between the regions on the two sides of the border. The project is scheduled to run from 1. April 2005 to 31.March 2008, with a budget of about € 925,000, and is being carried out with the support of ten partners from the areas of politics and health administration. The following sections describe in detail the aims, the expected benefits, and the different task areas ("work packages") of the project. Lastly, the essential facts are summarized briefly in "at a glance".
Aims
The aims of the Cross-Border Air Rescue project between Germany and Denmark are:
- to develop an organizational model and to set up cross-border processes and structures for the joint operation of an air rescue service in southern Denmark and northern Schleswig-Holstein
- to achieve harmonization of technical, medical and legal procedures and standards
- to develop a common range of services in the area of air rescue (dealing with emergencies, transfer between hospitals, giving advice, telemedicine, etc.)
- to share resources in the area of air rescue (specialist staff, rescue control centers, helicopters, medical equipment, etc.), and to use telemedical diagnostics in cross-border situations, so that regional medical expertise can be made available
- to transfer knowledge about strategies for dealing with medical emergencies and about quality management
- to provide training and certification of German-Danish teams for cross-border air rescue in the areas of emergency rescue and inter-hospital transfer
- to set up a German-Danish network of participants from the areas of health services and regional government to work alongside the project
- to make the experience gained through cross-border cooperation in the area of medical services available to other European regions
Expected Benefits
Improvements in the Standing and Economic Structure of the Regions
The cross-border cooperation ensures the long-term availability of an air rescue service in both regions of the partnership, and in southern Denmark it provides, for the first time, a service covering the entire region. This will contribute to the attractiveness of the cross-border region as a whole, as a place for living and carrying on business.
Effects on Employment
The cross-border cooperation will ensure the economic viability of the Niebüll Air Rescue Station and the jobs that it provides. The inter-hospital transfer service can also lead to a fuller utilization of the medical care facilities in southern Denmark and northern Schleswig-Holstein, and thus help to improve their economic viability and increase the security of the jobs that they provide.
The Innovative Character of the Project
In southern Denmark the air rescue service provides complete coverage of the area for the first time. The Cross-Border Air Rescue project can serve as a model for other European regions where similar potential exists but is not being fully used at present.
Training and Certification
The project involves an active exchange of experience across the border in the area of medical services (emergency medical care strategies, management, medical technology, etc.), and ensuring that German-Danish teams are suitably trained and qualified for their collaborative work (language training, simulator training, crew resource management, joint exercise operations).
Knowledge and Understanding on Both Sides
The Cross-Border Air Rescue project is based on an active exchange of experience between the German and Danish partners, with a common system of training and certification, and provides for the setting up of a regional network alongside the project. Through this exchange, the project contributes to a greater knowledge of the neighbouring country and thus leads to greater understanding on both sides.
Bilingualism
Language training provides a basis for the German-Danish teams to work together in the air rescue service.
New Momentum towards Cooperation
The project works as an instrument for the regions to grow together in the area of cross-border health services.
Applicability to other Border Regions
The Cross-Border Air Rescue project will accumulate best-practice experience in this field of work, which will be applicable to other European border regions.
The results with this project will form an important background of experience and a basis for the possible introduction of an area-wide air rescue service in other regions of Denmark.
Work Packages
The project is organized in five work packages, which are described below. The exchanging of experience, the planning, and the practical implementation of the project are cross-border activities that take place in both Germany and Denmark.
1. Project Management
Project partners:
DRF Air Rescue, Nordfriesland District Administration, the District Administration of Sønderjyllands Amt, Falck
- project planning
- project management
- project reports
- public relations
2. Structures and Organization
Project partners:
DRF Air Rescue, Nordfriesland District Administration (rescue
coordination center), Flensburg City Fire Service, Falck,
Sønderjyllands Amt District Administration (emergency medical service),
University Medical Center Kiel (hospital specializing in
anaesthesiology and surgical intensive care), Schleswig-Holstein
Medical Chamber (expert committee on rescue services)
Other partners:
regional health funding authorities, Danish Fire Service, Danish Police, Danish Social Security Department
- as-is analysis and exchange of experience
- definition of aims: organizational models
- development and implementation of methods
3. Technical Infrastructure
Project partners:
DRF Air Rescue, Nordfriesland District Administration (rescue
coordination center), TSGZ (Telemedicine Service and Health Center),
Flensburg City Fire Service, FALCK
- as-is analysis and exchange of experience
- definition of aims: technical interfaces
- developing methods and corresponding technical interfaces
4. The Regional Network
Project partners:
DRF Air Rescue, Nordfriesland District Administration, Sønderjyllands Office, Falck
Other partner:
Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of Health
- working alongside the project
- advising on strategy
5. Training and Qualifications for Cross-Border Emergency Rescue and Inter-Hospital Transfer
Project partners
DRF Air Rescue, Nordfriesland District Administration (rescue
coordination center, rescue service, Niebüll Hospital), Sønderjyllands
Amt District Administration (emergency medical service), Falck (Kolding
coordination center), Universitätsklinikum Kiel (hospital specializing
in anaesthesiology and surgical intensive care)
Other partner who has been contacted for bringing in during the course of the project:
Odense University Hospital
- development of a structure for the training and certification of German-Danish teams
- providing training and certification in accordance with the agreed methods
- evaluation and adaptation
At a Glance
- start of project: 1st April 2005
- end of project: 31st March 2008
- ten partners drawn from Germany and Denmark
- a budget of € 925,000
- structured in five work packages