The President of the Consell de Mallorca, Llorenç Galmés, stated that the incorporation of La Milana marks “a turning point” in operational capacity, especially in hard-to-reach areas such as the Serra de Tramuntana.
Today, the Mallorca Fire Department carried out a mountain rescue drill at the Almallutx estate (Escorca) to test the operational capabilities of their new helicopter, La Milana — a strategic resource now available 365 days a year.Ç
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Mallorca Firefighters Showcase the Capabilities of Their New Helicopter, La Milana, During a Rescue Drill in the Serra de Tramuntana
During the exercise, three real-life emergency scenarios were simulated, in collaboration with the mountain rescue team, firefighters from the Sóller and Inca stations, and medical personnel:
- Rescue of an injured hiker in a rugged area, evacuated on a stretcher by helicopter.
- Location of a disoriented runner in the Serra de Tramuntana, evacuated using a rescue triangle.
- Assistance to a farmer suffering from heatstroke, urgently transferred to Son Espases Hospital with medical support.
The drill was attended by President Llorenç Galmés, the Minister of Finance and Public Administration, Rafel Bosch, and the Island Director of Emergencies, Joan Fornàs.
A New Era in Emergency Response in Mallorca
The new helicopter, a EUROCOPTER AS 350 B3 Ecureuil (2023 model) operated by Sky Helicópteros SA, can reach any point on the island in under 15 minutes, with a maximum response time of 5 minutes from activation.
“With La Milana, we are making a long-standing demand of firefighters a reality,” said President Llorenç Galmés. “It represents a turning point in operational capacity, especially in hard-to-reach areas such as the Serra de Tramuntana.”
Minister Rafel Bosch highlighted that “this legislature has made a clear commitment to improving the human and technical resources of the Mallorca Fire Department. The new helicopter is a fundamental tool to protect lives and territory.”
For his part, Island Director Joan Fornàs stressed the importance of “tests like today’s to ensure perfect coordination between aerial and ground teams in any emergency.”
State-of-the-Art Technology
La Milana is equipped with a winch, rescue basket and stretcher, full medical kit, oxygen, defibrillator, thermal camera, and real-time image transmission. It is also capable of water loading for firefighting and transporting equipment, personnel, and victims.
This resource is part of a comprehensive improvement plan for the Mallorca Fire Department, with a total investment of €1 million and a 30% budget increase since 2023, aimed at modernising infrastructure, equipment, and technical resources.
Record Rescue Numbers
The balance of the first half of the year confirms the upward trend of recent years and consolidates the Mountain Rescue Group (GRM) as an essential unit in responding to emergencies in natural environments. With around 140 interventions between January and June, the GRM maintains a very high operational pace that, if continued in the second half of the year, could surpass the historic record reached in 2024 with 331 rescues.
All indications suggest that 2025 will once again be a year of maximum activity for this specialized team, which is also celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.