The Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMUR)-Civil Protection has taken a significant step in modernizing its resources with the incorporation of 99 new sanitary vehicles. These units, designed to be more accessible, functional, and with an exterior image that enhances their visibility, are now operational on the streets of Madrid.
The renewal, which involves replacing 81 of the existing 120 ambulances, has been overseen by the mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, and the deputy mayor and delegate for Security and Emergencies, Inma Sanz. The operation was carried out through a leasing contract with an annual cost of 4.6 million euros.
The new fleet comprises 52 basic life support ambulances, 28 Mobile Intensive Care Units (ICUs), one specialized psychiatric ambulance, and 18 rapid intervention vehicles. These vehicles feature a new, modern, and highly visible livery, including the Chevron pattern with fluorescent red and yellow diagonal stripes, as well as micro-prismatic vinyl to enhance detection, even in adverse conditions like rain.
In terms of functionality, the bodywork is divided into numbered panels to facilitate and reduce the cost of repairs in case of damage. SAMUR professionals actively participated in optimizing the interior, reinforcing equipment securing systems, revising closures and stops, and protecting wiring and medical gas pipelines, aiming for a safer and more accessible environment.
The mobile ICUs are equipped with mechanical assistance systems for loading and unloading patients, reducing physical strain on personnel and improving maneuver stability. The space in the side access has also been expanded, and the placement of electromedical equipment has been reorganized. The interior lighting offers combinations and intensities adaptable to each care task.
Rapid intervention and command vehicles feature enhanced thermal protection for the material area and allow remote monitoring of the refrigerator's temperature, the serum warmer, and the equipment's charge status from the cabin. The A1 psychiatric ambulance has a specific configuration with resistant surfaces, padded elements, and access designed for easier cabin supervision.
The entire new fleet is equipped with hands-free systems, cabin monitoring cameras, and an advanced data communication infrastructure, integrating the navigation system into the vehicle's multimedia screen. Each unit includes a QR code for quick access to relevant technical documentation.
Mayor Martínez-Almeida highlighted the growth of SAMUR-PC, which has increased its staff from 822 to 1,064 positions between 2019 and 2026, a 30% rise. He also emphasized the creation of its own general directorate in 2023, the near-complete renewal of the fleet, and the integration of cutting-edge medical technology and new logistical and civil protection capabilities. The service's budget has seen a 61% increase, rising from 60.4 million to 97 million euros.
