Six New Rescue Service SMURD Bases To Be Launched By Yearend

05.13.2011 By Ioana Tudor

Romania’s emergency rescue service SMURD will be implemented in all counties by the end of the year, Health Ministry deputy state secretary Raed Arafat said Friday.

According to the ministry official, authorities are looking into expanding SMURD countrywide this year, by creating six new bases.

Arafat said the ministry also wants to increase the number of SMURD rescue teams.

"SMURD currently has 240 rescue teams and we want to increase their number by 50," said Arafat, adding the ministry will also launch an auction in June to buy six helicopters for rescue missions.

The first SMURD service was implemented in the central city of Targu Mures in 1990.