Tyrol and Bavaria

Mountain rescue training across borders

The emergency services from Tyrol and Bavaria sounded out the avalanche cone together.(Bild: Bergrettung Maurach)

A realistic avalanche scenario was recreated at the weekend in Hinterriss in the Karwendel on Tyrolean territory. Colleagues from Bavaria also took part. The exercise was a complete success.

Around 70 emergency services from the Achenkirch and Maurach mountain rescue teams, the Lenggries and Bad Tölz mountain rescue teams from Bavaria near the border and the Schwaz Alpine Police rehearsed an emergency together on Saturday. The exercise was based on a major accident with two avalanches and eight people buried on the Schönalmjoch. This is a popular area for ski tourers.

Two helicopters on site
The rescuers were supported by helicopters from the Ministry of the Interior and the Bavarian state police. Eight doctors and search dogs were also on site.

Optimizing communication channels
"This was practically the first cross-border exercise on this scale," says Sandro Huber, head of the Achenkirch mountain rescue team. It is important because there are always joint operations, particularly between the rescuers from Achenkirch and Lenggries - especially at night. "Among other things, we wanted to improve communication via the country-specific radio channels," Sandro Huber emphasizes one detail.

Important food for thought
Thanks to the excellent cooperation of all participating organizations, the scenarios were successfully completed. The emergency services also took away some very important food for thought.