Prague’s emergency medical service has introduced a new high-capacity vehicle designed specifically to handle large-scale incidents in the city’s most restricted urban areas. The unit, named EVA, officially joined the fleet on January 22, 2026, and is intended for use during fires, chemical leaks, or the mass evacuation of healthcare facilities.
The arrival of the Mercedes-Benz 519 conversion marks a strategic shift toward smaller, more maneuverable equipment. While the Prague Emergency Medical Service (ZZS HMP) already operates several heavy-duty transport trucks, their size often makes it impossible to navigate the narrow streets of the historic center or the crowded parking lanes of residential housing estates.
“We regularly evaluate our crisis readiness in coordination with other European capitals,” said Petr Kolouch, Director of ZZS HMP. “The EVA unit offers significantly better access through Prague traffic while still providing a protected environment for patient care and shelter from the weather.”
Despite its compact dimensions—measuring just under eight meters long and two meters wide—the vehicle can accommodate up to 12 seated patients. The interior is modular, allowing crews to transport up to three stretcher-bound patients or a combination of both. It also includes dedicated anchoring for wheelchairs and the capacity to provide oxygen therapy to 12 people at once.
Alexandra Udženija, Prague’s Deputy Mayor for Healthcare, emphasized the importance of the vehicle’s role in protecting the city’s most vulnerable. “For seniors and those with medical limitations, a gentle transport and a sense of security are just as vital as the speed of the rescue,” Udženija said.
The vehicle’s technical equipment includes specialized “scoop” stretchers for tight spaces and motorized chairs for safely moving patients down staircases. To ensure it is ready for immediate deployment in any season, the unit features an independent heating and cooling system, along with a constant engine-heating circuit for winter conditions.
The 7.1 million CZK acquisition is part of a broader modernization effort. Last year, the service integrated 25 smaller Volkswagen Crafter vans into its daily operations, moving away from the bulkier box-style ambulances that struggled with the city’s increasing traffic congestion.
The name EVA follows international naming conventions for evacuation vehicles and serves as a symbolic designation for “Module 1” within the city’s six-unit emergency response system. It joins a specialized lineup that includes the “Fénix” heavy-transport truck and the “Dakar” off-road unit, filling the gap for a more agile response in the heart of the capital.
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