Region Dalarna is not satisfied with how the alarm chain for the ambulance helicopter is functioning, according to SVT Nyheter. The alarms do not always hit the right target; often the helicopter is dispatched but the mission is rejected or aborted. According to SVT Nyheter, Sebastian Karlberg described it as poorly used resources when the helicopter goes out on the wrong alarm, and he noted that the operation expresses they are dispatched on wrong missions with some unnecessary traveling.
Criteria have been developed to reduce incorrect alarms and improve collaboration with SOS Alarm, SVT Nyheter reports. After ten years of operation, the region is not completely satisfied with the collaboration. The number of aborted missions, where the helicopter took off but turned back, is reported to be fewer in 2025 compared to 2024.
It becomes poorly used resources if we go out on the wrong alarm.
According to SVT Nyheter, Fredrik Jonsson described it as a recurring criticism that SOS Alarm has an over- and sometimes an under-alarming, but he noted there will always be a margin of error due to rapid processes. Värmland started its own alarm center in 2024, and Region Dalarna is now looking at starting its own alarm center, according to SVT Nyheter. In the full year 2025, 324 missions with patient contact were carried out in Dalarna, SVT Nyheter reports.
Additionally, 440 alarms were rejected for medical reasons before takeoff in 2025, and 190 cases, including those aborted in the air, were recorded where weather prevented the helicopter from reaching the patient. The specific timeline for this decision remains unclear, and how the alarm accuracy in Dalarna compares to other regions in Sweden is not detailed. The exact number of incorrect alarms annually and the financial cost of unnecessary dispatches are not specified.
The operation expresses that they are dispatched on wrong missions and there is some unnecessary traveling.
According to SVT Nyheter, Fredrik Jonsson described that SOS Alarm does not have better statistics on this but is working to improve them.
It is a recurring criticism that we have an over- and sometimes an under-alarming. But there will always be a margin of error because it involves rapid processes.
Unfortunately, we do not have that, but we should have. It is a bit complicated and we are working on getting better statistics.