Bases
The Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) in Croatia operates from four bases:
- Base in Rijeka: Rijeka International Airport (Krk)
- Base in Split: Brač Airport
- Base in Zagreb: Aeronautical Technical Centre (Velika Gorica)
- Base in Osijek: Osijek Airport (Klisa)
*The Ministry of the Interior will continue to provide HEMS services in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County from the base located at Dubrovnik Airport.
Bases are strategically positioned to ensure optimal coverage of the entire territory of Croatia, including islands, remote, and rural areas. During the selection of base locations, existing aviation infrastructure and available resources for base operations in accordance with EU regulations were considered, as well as constraints related to meteorological conditions, topographic characteristics of the terrain, existing road networks, and other relevant factors.
The bases in Rijeka and Split are operational 24/7 (from July 1, 2024), while the bases in Osijek and Zagreb are operational during daylight hours.
The following helipads can receive helicopters transporting patients with life-threatening conditions from the intervention site:
- University Hospital Centre Split – Firule helipad
- University Hospital Centre Rijeka – Delta helipad
- Dubrava University Hospital – Dubrava helipad
- University Hospital Centre Osijek – temporary operating area for helicopter landing near the hospital.
Firule helipad
Dubrava helipad