Emergency medical service in Slovakia is preparing for the introduction of teams of specialized activities (TŠČ) which will be designed for interventions beyond the possibility of standard exit crews, especially during emergency or crisis situations. The new system will link specialised groups, technologies, training and uniform procedures with clear rules of activation and operational management.
The concept presented the rescue medical service Bratislava (ZZS BA), the rescue service Košice (ZSKE) and the operational center ZZS SR during the special event RESCUE The program included presentation of three new large vehicles with the participation of the Minister of Health of the Slovak Republic Kamila Šaška.
–When a major accident, fire, or epidemic occurs, people turn to the state and expect to be ready. Therefore we are building specialized teams of rescuers with technology and clear command for the whole of Slovakiasaid Health Minister Kamil Šaško.Three new vehicles are the first visible step. By the end of 2027 we want to have a complete system that will intervene quickly and in a coordinated way in a crisis situationcompleted.
Three bases for Slovakia as a whole
Teams of specialised activities will complement the existing CSR without replacing or changing their position in the system. The concept has three basics in Bratislava, Banská Bystrica and Košice.
Specialised teams shall be prepared in particular for interventions in the event of mass disability (UHPO), support for the evacuation of hospitals and social services facilities, transport of persons suspected of a highly dangerous disease, interventions in cases of exposure and contamination, and the transport of patients supported by ECMO and bariatric patients.
In emergency situations, not only the number of available ZZS offices but also the system's capacity to provide specialised capacity, preparedness and coordinated intervention procedures are determined. This is why we are preparing teams of specialised activities, which represent a systemic extension of the CSR options in emergency and crisis situations with emphasis on operational managementvladimir Hosa, Director of the Rescue Service of Košice.
The first step is new vehicles
New large vehicles are the first visible element of specialised capacity building. They will be available to state providers -ZZS Bratislava and ZSKE. Both ambulances are part of critical infrastructure and economic mobilisation, resulting in specific tasks such as pandemics, border crises or specialised transport.
Vehicles will allow transport of medical and logistical material, replenishment of supplies for the ZZS ambulance or creation of equipment for sorting or treating patients. Their importance will be particularly evident in large-scale emergencies with more injuries, including major road accidents or fires, where medical equipment and equipment for several affected crews need to be provided in a short time.
The total value of the investment in the acquisition of three vehicles amounts to EUR 1.58 million. They were financed from the own resources of both state ambulances.
It is not possible to prepare for emergencies until they occur. We need pre-prepared people, technologies, procedures and logistics. Specialised teams should provide support to the system precisely in situations where normal capacities are insufficientslavomír Gruška, director of emergency health service Bratislava.
The implementation of the system will be gradual. Other specialised equipment, including evacuation vehicles, ambulances for specialised transport and communication equipment, is planned to be procured next year. The aim is to complete the implementation of the system by the end of 2027.
The deployment of teams will be coordinated by the operational centre of ZZS SR
Activation and operational coordination of teams will be ensured by the operational centre of ZZS SR. Based on the nature of the event and the specified indication criteria, it shall contact the relevant ZZS provider to ensure that the necessary module is selected and implemented with the relevant staff, equipment and equipment. The preparation will therefore include standard operating procedures, communication and coordination rules, training and joint exercises with the Integrated Rescue System (ISS) components.
–The role of OS ZZS SR will be to ensure proper activation of specialized groups according to uniform rules and coordination of their implementation with normal ZZS network and other ICS components. That is our key task. Linking available capacities so that the aid works as a whole"stated the director of OS ZZS SR Gaston Ivanov.
