Stello,
here is some information about HEMS in small country, known as Slovenia.
As northwest part of the 20 000sq. km country is mountainous, helicopter was in use for mountain rescue since 1969 - operated by slovenian police (then one of six republics of the former Yugoslavia) Federal army with its helicopters (Gazelles, MI-2 and Mi-8) was never involved in mountain rescue in Slovenia. In 1986 there was an national agreement signed that Yugoslavian Auto mobile club shall organise a HEMS service throughout the whole Yugoslavia. Federal army provided several Mi-2 helicopters and one Mi-8. They were equipped even with hoists and repainted yellow with Automobile club logo, except in Slovenia, where one of the police helicopters (Agusta A-109A, reg. no: YU-HBN) was modified to then modern HEMS standards. This project never really worked and was soon abandoned for various reasons, but slovenian A-109 continued to operate as air ambulance until 1995, doing interhospital flights and incubator transports. Job was then transferred to bigger AB-412, also operated by slovenian police, which was also responsible for mountain rescue job.
After Slovenia separated from Yugoslavia, slovenian armed forces were created, equipped with Bell 412 (8 pieces) and started taking over some of the mountain rescue flights.
In 2003, a HEMS pilot project, organised and funded by Ministry of health was started, using military Bell 412 helicopter from single base-Brnik airport (code LJLJ). Police continued to provide mountain rescue service and interhospital transport (including incubators) from the same base (Brnik airport)
In december 2006, project ended and regular service was established from the same base (Brnik airport) with arrangement between Ministry of health and slovenian Automobile club, that hired local commercial helicopter company. This company rented one EC-135 T1 helicopter from German operator (MSN: 0035, reg. D-HEOY). Unfortunatelly, financial arrangements were not clear and an affair ensued, that resulted in shutdown of HEMS operations after six weeks. It is believed that this affair caused Minister of health to resign later in the year 2007.
Responsibility for HEMS operations was immediatelly transferred to police, which continues to do so to this day, using one A-109Power with Agusta installed EMS interior (reg. marks S5-HPG) or alternativelly, AB-212 reg. marks S5-HPB or AB-412 reg. marks S5-HPA) These 3 helicopters are in use for HEMS, inerhospital flights and 212/412 helicopters - also for some mountain rescue service (which is organisationally independent from HEMS)
Army continues to provide primary mountain rescue support with Bell 412 helicopters and serves as backup for HEMS operations.
HEMS Medical crews are composed of one doctor and one Emergency medical technician. All operations are funded by National health insurance and Ministry of health. (100% government funded) Here is a link with a little bit of English text:
Helikopterska enota nujne medicinske pomo?i Slovenija
I have some more info about HEMS and SAR operations in Europe and also some other countries. If you need more, leave a message.
hoistop