Health Minister Britta Müller visits the ADAC air rescue station in Senftenberg

Health Minister Britta Müller visits the ADAC air rescue station in Senftenberg

What an exciting event lies ahead! On Monday, August 18, 2025, the Health Minister of Brandenburg, Britta Müller, will visit the largest ADAC air rescue station in Germany in Senftenberg. This event promises to provide insightful insights into the work of air rescue and to shed light on the current challenges of emergency medical care from the air. The air rescue station in Senftenberg, which can be found in the Oberspreewald-Lausitz district, is one of the most modern of its kind and is at an impressive level in terms of equipment and operational readiness, as ADAC reports.

With a total of two helicopters and an annual volume of around 2,300 missions, an important service is provided for the people of Brandenburg every day. The team of around 60 employees is on duty around the clock, and the rescue helicopter “Christoph 33” has hopefully never been idle since 1991: it can be in the air from sunrise to sunset every day. The “Christoph Brandenburg” helicopter, which can be transported intensively, is in use 24 hours a day. These inpatient rescue services are crucial for the rapid response to medical emergencies and were sustainably coordinated by the Integrated Lausitz Regional Control Center and the Central Coordination Center for Transfers and Intensive Care Transports.

Insights into air rescue

During her visit, the minister will have the opportunity to talk to local experts. In addition to discussions with Benjamin Heese and Dagmar Pyle from the ADAC Luftrettung partner management, Holger Zahn, pilot and head of the station, will also be available to answer questions about air rescue. Additional interviews with the rescue helicopter crew are also planned during a tour of the station. The use of air rescue helicopters is particularly necessary when rapid medical assistance is required, for example when transporting intensive care patients between hospitals. This makes it clear: air rescue is an indispensable complement to the ground rescue service, even if it cannot replace it.

Just as the people of Vienna need good connections to air rescue, Germany has created a dense network of locations for rescue helicopters and intensive care transport helicopters. ADAC Luftrettung plays a central role in this and operates most of the civil rescue helicopters in the country. Complex emergency medical techniques are used for air rescue, based on areas such as anesthesia, surgery and pediatrics.

Modern technology for modern applications

The technical side of these missions is also impressive. The most important European helicopter manufacturer, Airbus Helicopters, supplies the modern machines used for the rescue flights. The helicopters - fast, maneuverable and independent of the road network - guarantee quick access to the deployment sites, which is of utmost importance for patient care. In this context, the high demands placed on pilots are repeatedly pointed out. Only the best of the best find their place in air rescue, as extensive flight hours and experience are necessary.

Anyone who is interested in this exciting topic can already register for a media event on August 18th. Confirmation of participation is due by Friday, August 15, 2025 at 12 p.m medien@adac.de necessary. Don't miss the opportunity to gain exciting insights into the work of air rescue and get to know the people behind the operations.