Following reports regarding immobilized ambulances of EKAV in Attica, due to technical malfunctions and the need for replacement parts, the following clarifications are provided:
The technical issues mentioned have not resulted in any changes to the operational deployment of EKAB’s forces in Attica. The Agency continues to take all necessary measures on a daily basis to ensure the smooth operation of its operational planning, immediate response, and the safe provision of pre-hospital emergency care to citizens.
It should be noted that technical malfunctions in the ambulance fleet are, due to the nature and intensity of the vehicles’ daily use, a dynamic and constantly changing factor. EKAV ambulances operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, covering thousands of kilometers daily. Consequently, the maintenance, repair, and restoration of vehicles to operational readiness constitute a continuous and uninterrupted process. Within the framework of the existing operational plan, 70 ambulances and Mobile Medical Units are in operation daily in Attica, as well as 24 Rapid Response motorcycles, while the fleet’s availability is monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure that technical issues arising from the continuous use of the vehicles are addressed immediately.
Regarding the specific technical issues mentioned in the relevant press reports, as well as the need for immediate repair or replacement of parts in vehicles that were temporarily out of service, from the very moment these were brought to the attention of the EKAB Administration, instructions were issued for urgent procedures to procure spare parts and consumables, as well as to expedite the necessary repairs, with the aim of restoring the vehicles to full operational readiness as quickly as possible. At the same time, and beyond the immediate technical resolution of this specific issue, EKAV’s Management, in collaboration with the Organization’s relevant Directorates, has initiated the prescribed internal procedures to fully document the actual facts and investigate the circumstances related to the reported incidents. The goal is to identify any malfunctions in the flow of operational procedures and to take the necessary measures to optimize the maintenance and technical support of the fleet.
Beyond the immediate management of specific technical issues, the continuous strengthening and renewal of EKAB’s operational resources is a key priority for the Organization and is part of the overall plan for the ongoing enhancement of its operational capabilities. To this end, 250 new ambulances are expected through the “AIGIS” program, as well as 60 additional ambulances through the Regional NSRF programs.
Based on the above, EKAV remains fully operational and continues, with consistency and responsibility, its mission to respond promptly, safely, and effectively to every emergency.
