Emergency Helicopters Stuck in Bureaucratic Limbo

In this week’s Buzz:

• Does anyone know a local GP I can register with?

• A bureaucracy and planning nightmare behind the emergency medical helicopter service

• Raid on Bansko strip club sees 10 people arrested

• Local Bansko eatery appears on TV

• Folklore Festival in town this coming weekend

• Useful information if you need to get an X-ray

• Confirmed closing dates for places open during winter season

Delays, licensing issues and slow response times raise questions about the €200M HEMS programme.

Arriving nearly two years ago, and highlighted in issue #4 of the Bansko Buzz on its first rescue above Bansko, the HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) programme offered high hopes of a professional service, providing emergency medical evacuation for casualties in different parts of Bulgaria.

However, recent reports show that the system isn’t performing as well as expected.

Backed by EU funding of over 200 million Euros, the full fleet of 6 helicopters were ordered in 2023, with a proposed five bases across the country. At the moment, only two bases (in Sofia and Sliven) exist, and four helicopters have been delivered (but not all are operational).

Also, two of the helicopters have a winch, but neither HEMS nor mountain rescue has the necessary licenses to operate them, meaning any helicopter on a rescue mission must land on solid ground to evacuate any casualties. There’s also scepticism about the number of fully trained pilots, which seems too few to operate rescue missions when needed.

Read more about the story here [translation required].

That’s not all. The Sofia-based helicopter, which is called on for rescues in Bansko, had technical issues during a mission a few months ago and had to turn back to base. Then, last week, it took the helicopter over 50 minutes to take off from its base in Sofia to help a casualty on Vitoshia (read more about that story here).

That raises the question of how effective (and reliable) the service actually is.

Community & Coworking at Altspace

Our community bridges the gap between the Bansko community and working online at a coworking space, bringing people together by challenging each other on Side Hustle Day, enjoying dinner together in a local restaurant, painting & wine, or chilling and talking about everything and nothing at Friday Beers.

If you want to join a community and coworking space that offers the right work-life balance, then book a trial day with Altspace Coworking. It’ll be one of the best decisions you’ll make.

👉️ BOOK YOUR TRIAL DAY

Inside the Bansko Notice Board Group

✍️ 98 New Posts, 💬 378 Comments, 👍️ 2,758 Reactions

Any Advice on Winter Hikes?
Jessie wants to do some winter hiking on the mountain, but doesn’t know where to go or which routes are best. Some people had some advice.

Useful Information on Getting an X-ray
Jay shared some useful information about getting an X-ray in the local area. He provided information about the price and where to go when you get to Razlog Hospital.

Anyone Know a GP I Can Register With Locally?
Steve wants to register with a general practitioner in the local area. He’s a resident and pays into the local healthcare programme, so wants to use his entitlement. See where people suggested.

I’m a Solo Traveller. Where is Best to Meet People?
Willoughby is coming to Bansko and wants to know where is best to meet people in a similar position. Find out more in the post.

Does The Avalon Still Do Curry Nights?
Lyndsey remembers going to curry nights at The Avalon and wondered if they’re still doing them. Sadly, they’re not, but there were other suggestions on where she could go.

Bansko & Beyond

Organised crime unit raids strip club in Bansko
The police unit tasked with taking action against organised crime raided a strip club in Bansko last weekend. They raided the Black Rose Club on Pirin Street and made ten arrests (different to the Red Rose Club, which is further up the same street, where a tourist was apparently ripped off in February). A number of the people arrested have been remanded into custody. Read more.

Partial reclamation of old landfill site
A landfill cell in the local area is being closed and reclaimed by the local municipality. In Banya, where non-hazardous waste from Bansko, Razlog, Belitsa, and Yakoruda is landfilled, a section of the landfill is being repurposed to support long-term efforts to reduce the ecological footprint on the local environment. Read more [translation required].

Bulgarian pensioners to receive Easter bonus
Pensioners across Bulgaria will receive an Easter bonus from the government next month. This applies to any pensioner who receives a pension at or below the poverty line (€390.63) or up to the national minimum wage (€620.20). Read more.

Local eatery Bai Mile appears on TV
A place popular with locals (Bai Mile [on Google Maps as “Millie’s Place”]) was recently visited by a TV chef and appeared on the show “Nightmares in the Kitchen”. Apparently, the TV chef thought they needed more structure in the kitchen (since it was in “chaos”) and that they were giving out portions that were too large. Read more [translation required].

Join over 60 million people using Revolut. Hold Euros in your account and pay local businesses in Bansko easily. Sign up for an account now.

New to Bansko? Skip the tourist traps and join Nick for Bansko Like a Local tour. An insider’s guided tour to the best bars, restaurants/mehanas and hidden gems. Learn more.

Shop on Amazon & get packages delivered to Bansko with GGBG. Regular transport from the UK, Germany and the USA to Bulgaria. See website for info.

Travelling outside of your home country this year? Get travel insurance designed by travellers. True Traveller: one policy to cover all of your activities. Learn more.

👉️ Want to see your ad in the newsletter?
View Advertising Opportunities

Events Next Week

Cacao Ecstatic Dance
On Monday (16th), starting at 6pm, at Lotus Life on Nayden Gerov Street, there will be an Ecstatic Dance with three artists: Mindful Katia, Arleen Slow, and Aksiniya. The recommended donation is 25€. More info.

Bansko Book Club
On Wednesday 18th of March at 6.30pm, the Bansko Book club will meet to talk about their chosen book for the month, “The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules”. There will be a lively discussion about the book and a vote to choose the book for next month. More info.

Bansko Freeride Qualifier
From Thursday (19th) to Sunday (22nd), the Bansko Freeride Qualifier will take place on the mountain. The main event will take place on Saturday and the junior event on Sunday. More info.

59th National Ski Championship for Journalists
On Saturday 21st of March, the national ski championship for journalists will be held in Bansko. More info.

Balkan Folklore Festival
On the 19th to 22nd and 26th to 29th of March, the Balkan Folklore Festival returns to Bansko for its third year. This will include music, singers, and traditional dancing from both Serbian and Bulgarian groups. More info.

Bansko Street Dogs Pub Quiz
On Monday 23rd, BSD’s pub quiz will take place at George and Mary on Glazne Street. It will start at 7.30pm and entry fee is 5€ per person. It’s expected to fill up fast, so book your table as soon as possible. More info.

Future Events

Asian Flavours Meet Elegant Wines
On Thursday 26th of March, Bistro 7 on Pirin Street is hosting an Asian food and Bulgarian wine evening starting at 7pm. This is a four-course meal, with a different wine accompanying each course. Price is 40€. More info.

Splitboard Festival
On Thursday 26th to Sunday 29th of March. More info [translation required].

Retro Bansko Festival
On Friday 27th to Sunday 29th of March. More info [translation required].

Regular Weekly Events

Here is a list of the twelve regular events that will be happening every week until the end of March:

- Pub Quiz: Monday from 7pm at different venues (Bansko Street Dogs).
- Bansko Run Club(ish): Tuesday at 6.30pm meet at Altspace Coworking (Central).
- Spanish Speakers Meeting: from 6pm at DiVino Wine Bar
- Latin Dance Night: Tuesday from 7pm at Four Leaf Clover.
- Pool Tournament: Thursday from 6.30pm at Smokey Mountain.
- Friday Beers: Friday 6pm to 8pm at Altspace Coworking (Central) [BYOB].
- Latin Dance Night: Friday from 7pm at DiVino.
- Bonkers Bingo: Friday from 7.30pm at The Hub
- Karaoke: Friday from 8pm at Tipsy 360.
- BSD Saturday Sale: Saturday 10am to 2pm at Bansko Street Dogs shelter.
- Sip & Paint: Saturday 2pm to 4pm at Lucky Bansko Aparthotel.
- Free Walking Tour: Saturday at 2pm at the big tree near the church (duration: 1.5hours)
- Sunday Walk: Sunday from 11am, meeting at the gondola (not taking place on 22nd)

The Bansko Buzz’s Beehive🍯 

The Beehive is a monthly membership where I share more stories, information, and insights that I don’t share publicly. You also see things weeks or months before they’re published (whether in the newsletter or in the group).

👉️ READ MORE ABOUT THE BEEHIVE

Photo of the Week

This Sunday on the mountain.

Follow @banskobuzz on Instagram.

Before You Go…