Large-scale mountain rescue exercise conducted on the Schmittenhöhe in Zell am See:

Safety is the highest priority on the Schmittenhöhe. To ensure a swift, professional, and coordinated response in case of emergency, Schmittenhöhebahn AG conducted a large-scale rescue exercise.

The exercise scenario brought together numerous emergency response organizations and once again demonstrated the high level of readiness of all participants.

Emergency services practice coordinated teamwork

The exercise involved the mountain rescue teams from Zell am See, Saalfelden and Fusch, the Austrian Armed Forces in Saalfelden with a Blackhawk and a Leonardo helicopter, employees of the Schmittenhöhe cable car company, the district's disaster relief coordinator, representatives of regional fire departments and the Alpine police. Together they practiced a complex operational scenario under realistic conditions.

The focus was on the rapid evacuation of passengers from a cable car system and the cooperation between air and ground rescue teams. The aim was to precisely coordinate all procedures, from the initial alarm and communication to the technical rescue. The rescuers on the cable car were provided by specially trained personnel from Schmittenhöhebahn AG, the Zell am See mountain rescue service, and the Austrian Armed Forces. The latter also supported the exercise with personnel, equipment, and aircraft.

Highest safety standards on the mountain

At the start of the exercise, the deployed personnel were briefed on their tasks. While the Schmittenhöhe cable car control center coordinated all steps, the rescue teams prepared for operations in the alpine terrain. Simultaneously, the Austrian Armed Forces helicopters were used to practice material transport, air rescue operations, and cooperation with the ground teams.

The Austrian Armed Forces provided support for the exercise as part of the Army Mountain Guide Mountain Rescue Course. Five Army Mountain Guide Candidates, four Army Air Rescue specialists, an S-70 Black Hawk helicopter, and the newly introduced AW-169 Lion helicopter were involved. Both helicopter types demonstrated their strengths in the exercise scenario, particularly in terms of performance and winch operations. The focus was on interagency and inter-organizational cooperation.

Every move had to be precise, because in an emergency, seconds often count. The emergency services involved impressed with their professionalism, experience, and a high degree of teamwork. The close coordination between mountain rescue, the Austrian Armed Forces, and the staff of the Schmittenhöhe cable car proved to be a key factor in the success of the operation.

Guest safety is our top priority

“Such exercises are essential to be as prepared as possible in an emergency. The safety of our guests and employees is our top priority. Only through regular training with all emergency services can we guarantee that we can act quickly and efficiently in a real emergency,” emphasizes Operations Manager Ingo Dürlinger of Schmittenhöhebahn AG.