Have you ever noticed different ambulances on the Costa Blanca whizzing around and wondered why they don’t all look the same?
Spain has a whole fleet of emergency vehicles, each with its own job to do.
SVA – Soporte Vital Avanzado (Advanced Life Support)
SVA – Soporte Vital Avanzado (Advanced Life Support). Image: SESCV / Generalitat Valenciana.
These are the big guns of the ambulance world, staffed with specialist medical teams and equipped to handle the most serious emergencies.
SVB – Soporte Vital Básico (Basic Life Support)
SVB – Soporte Vital Básico (Basic Life Support). Image: SESCV.
Think of these as the backbone of the system. Class B ambulances, staffed by trained technicians, provide the first level of care and stabilisation before patients reach hospital.
Ambulancia No Asistida (Unassisted Ambulance)
Ambulancia No Asistida (Unassisted Ambulance). Image: SESCV.
Also known as Class A ambulances, these are essentially patient taxis on stretchers. They don’t provide active medical care but are used to transport patients, either individually or in groups.
VIR (Rapid Intervention Vehicle) / USC (Support and Coordination Units)
VIR (Rapid Intervention Vehicle) / USC (Support and Coordination Units). Image: SESCV.
These cars or vans turn up fast, packed with the same gear as a SAMU (Advanced Life Support ambulance). They don’t transport patients but provide immediate on-scene medical help, often at critical incidents.
EMV – Multiple Casualty Emergencies
EMV – Multiple Casualty Emergencies. Image: SESCV.
These vehicles carry specialised equipment and materials to deal with major accidents or disasters involving many casualties. They are crewed depending on the situation.
Communications Vehicle
Communications Vehicle. Image: SESCV.
This is basically a mobile control centre, complete with the technology to coordinate large-scale emergencies. Staffed by a doctor, a nurse, and an announcer who keeps everyone in check.
Ambulances on the Costa Blanca: Transport Incubator
Transport Incubator. Image: SESCV.
Used by SAMU units for critically ill newborns, ensuring the littlest patients get the safest possible journey to hospital.
Medicalised Helicopters
Medicalised Helicopters. Image: SESCV.
When time is critical, the chopper comes in. These helicopters provide advanced life support while transferring patients. The healthcare staff belong to the Ministry of Health, while the pilots and technical crews report to the region’s emergency response agency.
Behind the scenes: CICU
At the heart of it all is the CICU (Emergency Information and Coordination Centre). Based in the Valencian Community, it’s the nerve centre that takes calls from the 112 service. The CICU decides what kind of response is needed, and coordinates everything from ambulances and doctors to helicopters and specialist units.
Behind the scenes: CICU. Image: SESCV.
