Sakis Arnaoutoglou, a Greek MEP from the Socialists and Democrats group, has asked the European Commission to assess delays in the operational deployment of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) for mountain rescue in Greece, warning that inadequate aerial coverage in mountainous, remote, and island areas is a matter of life and death. The parliamentary question, submitted on 9 April 2026, targets the gap between a national plan for airborne rescue and its full implementation, affecting citizens and tourists in Greece's rugged terrain.
Question targets preparedness and EU funding
The written question (E-001465/2026) contains three concrete asks: first, whether the Commission considers Greece's airborne mountain rescue capacity adequate under EU civil protection goals; second, which EU funding instruments or technical support could accelerate deployment of an interoperable HEMS system; and third, whether the Commission plans to promote common European guidelines for airborne mountain rescue, covering readiness times, crew training, and coordination between civil protection, health services, and aviation assets.
Policy direction: EU-level standards and support
Arnaoutoglou's question signals a push for stronger EU involvement in national civil protection infrastructure, advocating for common minimum standards and financial backing to address operational gaps. The MEP does not propose numerical targets but implies that current national efforts are insufficient, urging the Commission to leverage EU mechanisms to improve preparedness.
Expected follow-up
The Commission is required to reply within approximately six weeks. Its answer will indicate whether it views the issue as a national responsibility or an area for EU harmonisation and funding, potentially setting a precedent for other member states with similar geographic challenges.