The European Commission has announced that it is allocating €106.2 million to Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania and Turkey to develop the new rescEU EMT (Emergency Medical Team) capability.
The project will establish three Emergency Medical Teams Type 2 (EMT2), which will include surgery and diagnostic services. In addition, seventeen specialised care teams will offer intensive care, burn treatment, patient transport, advanced diagnostic, mother and child support, rehabilitation, mental health support, orthopaedic treatment, laboratory, oxygen supply and telecommunications support.
This rescEU capability will become gradually operational as of 2024 and is expected to allow a response to wide range of disaster scenarios. According to the European Commission, the teams will be able to operate autonomously and support existing national healthcare facilities in case the latter are not able to cope with a given emergency. This new structure is designed to complement the crucial role in emergency response already ensured by fifteen EMTs offered by Member and Participating States to the European Civil Protection Pool.
Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management, commented: "This new rescEU capability is to take shape as what is the biggest field hospital in Europe and one of the most advanced worldwide. This joint venture between the European Commission and eight Member and Participating States is another key cornerstone in boosting the EU’s ability to prepare for and respond to various disasters. I would like to thank all of them contributing to the growth of rescEU, the strategic response safety net at EU level, since its creation in 2019."
