Keys missing, vehicles idle: Why Mallorca's new ambulances aren't rolling

Keys missing, vehicles idle: Why Mallorca's new ambulances aren't rolling

In front of the hall on Calle Son Oms they still gleam like showpieces — fresh paint, new headlights, protective covers neatly taped over the blue light housings. Inside, however, diagnostic cabinets are hooked into the on-board electrical system, the batteries are being charged, but the wheels do not turn. The reason is simple and bitter: many of the island's emergency personnel hold only the standard car driving licence class. New ambulances, empty seats: How a drivers license shortage is slowing Mallorca's emergency services New ambulances, empty seats: How a licence shortage is slowing Mallorca's emergency service

The key question now occupying the shifts

How could such an expensive purchase be made without resolving the driver issue? This question buzzes through canteens, radio rooms and administrative corridors. For those affected it is not theoretical: when an ambulance is available but legally blocked, it is no longer just about money — it is about minutes, staff strain and confidence in the emergency chain.

Technology, regulation, reality

The 3.5-tonne threshold in Europe marks a clear dividing line between cars and light commercial vehicles. For emergency services this means: different insurance conditions, different liability issues, different requirements for drivers. On Mallorca, where eight out of ten emergency technicians have only the normal car licence class, this leads to the absurd situation that new, fully equipped vehicles sit in halls while the old diesel workhorses continue to run across the island — accompanied by the nightly wail of sirens and the smell of diesel on the ramp. Ambulances in Mallorca: Temporary measures in December — a question of driving licenses Ambulances in Mallorca: makeshift solutions in December — a matter of driving licences

What is often missing from the public debate

Public attention quickly focuses on procurement costs. But beneath that lie several less visible problems: liability questions in the event of an operation push insurance premiums up; certain equipment packages add weight even though they are not strictly necessary for the majority of missions; and not least, staff motivation. A technician I met at the gate shook his head: “We keep driving, what else can we do? But it is a waste of time and money.”

There is also the seasonal component: during high season the workload grows enormously, and additional vehicles would help — but who will operate them if qualified drivers are lacking? And for new hires on an island with high rents and seasonal work: finding good personnel is not automatic. When new ambulances become obstacles: Who pays the price in Mallorca? More than 350 without the right licence in the Balearics: Why the problem on Mallorca doesn't get easier

Concrete risks

Apart from the headlines there are tangible risks: longer response times because detours are necessary; overtime and exhaustion for existing staff; and an image problem: tourists and locals should not wonder whether everything will work in an emergency. Decommissioning modern vehicles acts like a warning signal for the entire emergency organisation.

Which solutions are on the table — and what are their drawbacks?

The authorities are examining several avenues that could complement each other. All options demand speed and pragmatism:

1) Rapid, paid retraining: Intensive courses, financial incentives and time-off compensation could qualify more drivers within weeks. Drawback: training ties up personnel who are currently needed for operations — so it must be planned wisely and linked to replacement arrangements.

2) Save weight instead of retrofitting: An inventory of equipment can identify unnecessary extras. Some installations add kilograms without increasing medical benefit for the most common missions. Drawback: modifications cost time and money, and changes can raise registration questions.

3) Interim solutions with external partners: Short-term cooperation with private providers or renting vehicles under 3.5 tonnes for peak times can keep operational capacity. Drawback: availability, costs and liability issues must be clearly regulated.

4) Rethink personnel policy: Targeted incentives for drivers with the appropriate licence class — higher wages, bonuses for seasonal workers, assistance with housing — could help in the long term. Drawback: this requires budgetary resources and political will.

5) Introduce a procurement checklist: In future, frontline staff should be involved in selection processes, driving licence classes checked before ordering and prototypes tested. This prevents the next investment from missing practical realities.

Why the issue is essential for Mallorca

Mallorca also depends on trust in public infrastructure. If new ambulances end up as parking objects, this is more than an administrative error — it is a litmus test for planning culture, personnel policy and priorities. In an island society with a large service sector there can be no shortcuts when it comes to life and rapid assistance.

Looking ahead

The crackle of radios during a night drive, the voices at the incident commander console, the short beep at the gate — these are the vivid images of an island that improvises and carries on. Admirable, yes. But admiration does not replace a solution. Now pragmatic decisions are needed: retraining with perspective, sensible technical adjustments and a procurement routine that checks not only invoices but also people and realities.

Whether the keys are turned or the vehicles remain parked is more than a technical question: it says something about the value placed on safety in Mallorca. And anyone driving past Calle Son Oms in the morning should preferably keep the sound of sirens in mind, not the sight of newly parked vehicles.