On September 24, 2024, Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner and the Vice President of the Federal Association of the Austrian Mountain Rescue Service, Michael Miggitsch, signed a letter of intent to intensify cooperation between the Federal Army and the mountain rescue service. The aim of the agreement is to increase the efficiency of both organizations in crisis and disaster situations, especially in the event of major weather-related events in alpine terrain.
According to Tanner, the cooperation is intended to ensure that help can be provided faster and better in challenging situations. The agreement includes various measures, including regular joint exercises, the exchange of specialist knowledge, mutual support during operations and the training of mountain rescue members as part of basic military service. In addition, cooperation will be expanded in areas such as drone technology and search dog training.
The mountain rescue service, which operates as an aid organization in difficult terrain, recorded a total of 2023 missions in 9.658. The cooperation with the Federal Army represents a further step to optimize disaster protection in Austria and to utilize the synergies of both organizations.