The reason for the requested extension is the temporary decommissioning of the rooftop landing pad at the University Hospital's Operative Center (Photo: Michael Rabenstein/Uniklinikum Erlangen) for a period of six months. During this time, the "Riviera" helipad is urgently needed as an alternative location to ensure that emergency transports continue to run smoothly.
In addition, the "Riviera" helipad remains an indispensable infrastructure for the most seriously injured. Especially in situations where the rooftop helipad at the Operative Center is occupied. After the Klinikum Süd in Nuremberg, Erlangen is the next port of call for seriously injured patients.
In addition, the landing site on the "Riviera" is also the fastest connection to a landing site for the Waldkrankenhaus St. Marien. With 30 landings in 2023 and 19 landings so far in 2024, the statistics show the continued relevance of the "Riviera" site. A further increase in operations is expected during the planned restrictions at the rooftop landing site.
Background to the previous planning
There were no concrete plans at the time of the last extension until 2025. The State Building Authority has now announced that, for cost reasons, only one landing pad and one elevator were built during the construction of the operational center. Originally, two landing pads and an additional floor were planned.
The structural design of the roof landing pad also has limitations: heavier helicopters, such as Black Hawks, cannot land here. However, these are used in the event of major incidents with numerous casualties.
The "Riviera" is a very valuable biotope on the edge of the Schwabach valley. The search for another location as a secondary landing site for the rescue helicopters was therefore suggested. However, this does not currently exist.