The government of Aragon aims to continue providing one of the best emergency services in the country and, to achieve this, it will invest 25.5 million euros in the Emergency Infrastructure Plan between 2025-2031. This plan includes improvements in 112 emergency centers, logistical infrastructure, permanent facilities, and helicopter basics.
This was announced on Thursday by the Minister of Finance, Public Administration, and Public Affairs, Roberto Bermúdez de Castro, and the Director General of Interior and Emergency, Miguel Ángel Clavero, during their appearance at the Pigratelli Press Hall.
The goal of this plan, budgeted at 17,708,179 euros, with an additional 7.8 million euros allocated for the new Zaragoza emergency center, is to enhance the capacity for anticipation and intervention in emergencies, disasters, or public calamities. It also aims to promote a culture of civil protection among Aragonese, increasing resilience to any risks.
This infrastructure plan is designed to provide the necessary facilities, vehicles, and technological resources to support functions such as control, coordination, communication, supply, logistics, and civil protection.
The plan covers various areas, including aviation. It includes an aeronautical infrastructure with permanent bases and facilities for health and forest operations, totaling 7,535,949 euros, making it the most ambitious element of the infrastructure plan.
Starting in 2023, the Aragon government will have a 24-hour health transport service through helicopters in its emergency system.
Until then, helicopters could only operate during the day, which limited response times in areas with poor road communication or hospitals, even at night.
Regarding permanent bases, the Villanueva base will be operational this year, adapted for night flights. Additionally, the Villanueva base and the Hospital San Jorge de Huesca base will also be adapted for night flights, with a total investment of 2.8 million euros.
«The idea is for each region of Aragon to have at least one area adapted for night flights. While some regions are close to Zaragoza and may not require this, nearly 90% of regions will have such facilities,» explained Clavero.
Furthermore, Clavero mentioned the need for two helipads in Gúdar-Javalambre and in Mora de Rubielos and Cantavieja due to their expansion.
In terms of health facilities, in addition to those mentioned earlier at the Hospital Universitario de San Jorge de Huesca, the project is considering building helipads at the hospitals of Calatayud, San Jorge de Huesca, and the University of Barbastro, with a total investment of 930,000 euros.
Another 991,183 euros will be invested in adapting forest bases in Boltaña, Alcorisa, Baile, Ejea, and Benasque for night flights, with the last one being shared with the Guardia Civil for mountain rescue operations.
The Director General of Interior and Emergencies, Miguel Ángel Clavero, explained that the Aragon government receives numerous proposals from different municipalities in the community to establish bases, but technical assessments for night flights must be conducted beforehand to ensure «aeronautical feasibility.»
Among these proposals, Clavero confirmed the one from the Local Council of Ayerbe (Huesca), with others under consideration. He emphasized the importance of assessing potential obstacles like proximity to high-voltage lines for helicopter operations.
In terms of potential bases, Jaca is already built, with plans for Sarrión-Mora de Rubielos, Mosquuelaela, Herrera de Los Navarros, Ribagorza, and Bajo Aragón Caspe in 2025.
Monzón will have a helipad plan from the Diputación de Huesca, with a total planned investment of 2.7 million euros.
The infrastructure plan also includes the equipment for the integrated emergency center of Aragon (CIEA). Costing 1.2 million euros, it will operate under the names «Aragon Emergency Center» and «112 Aragon» interchangeably. This center will be responsible for mobilizing and coordinating the necessary resources to deal with ordinary emergencies and civil protection.
Construction has begun on this emergency center, with a budget of 7,813,474.76 euros.
An additional 350,000 euros will be invested in advanced Level 1 emergency control, which corresponds to situations that can be managed with the resources allocated to the Civil Protection Plan.
In terms of media reception infrastructure, this involves the physical location where logistical support, media communication, and requested resources are received and distributed to the intervention area.
The plan also includes an advanced health position, valued at 125,000 euros. It is a temporary structure that includes an ambulance reception area, triage, and areas for different levels of medical care, as well as a death holding area and evacuation zone.
As emergencies evolve, the Aragon government deems it necessary to have an intervention command post that can participate in various action groups, requiring specialized spaces for effective operations.
A command post for the Assistance Group and Advisory Committee will provide advanced infrastructure to support their functions. Huesca will have a new emergency center with an investment of 4,402,230.00 euros (2.8 million this year), funded by the Municipal Council of the Altoaragón Capital. This center, located in the city’s Socket area, will house a fire station and improve response times and connectivity with interurban roads.
Improvements are also planned in supply and transport infrastructure, storage, and distribution, with an estimated value of 2.5 million euros. This section includes a portable dining area, fuel supply, tool containers, communications equipment, and chemical toilets.
Specific emergency materials will be provided, such as shelters for 100 people, equipment for toxic gases, masks, and provisions for 1,000 people per day, with an overall investment of 335,000 euros.
