The SAMU 63 emergency medical service coordinates prehospital emergency care and medical regulation across the Puy-de-Dôme department from its headquarters at the CHU de Clermont-Ferrand (Hôpital Gabriel-Montpied). Serving a region characterized by the volcanic landscapes of the Chaîne des Puys and the mountainous terrain of the Massif Central, the organization provides rapid medical response to both urban and remote rural communities. Through its centralized dispatch center, SAMU 63 coordinates emergency calls, deploys SMUR mobile intensive care units, and manages the transport of critically ill or injured patients requiring advanced medical treatment.
To overcome the geographical challenges of central France, SAMU 63 relies on a dedicated helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) operated in partnership with
SAF Hélicoptères. Equipped with helicopter configured as a flying intensive care unit, the service enables rapid access to isolated areas while significantly reducing transport times to specialized medical centers. The aircraft plays a vital role in trauma, cardiac, and inter-hospital transfer missions, allowing medical crews to deliver advanced care during flight and ensuring patients reach the region’s major healthcare facilities as quickly as possible.
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