Dombås: - The people's base
"We truly feel that we mean a lot to the local community here," says the crew at the Dombås base.
Photo: Elin Åsbakk Lind
- We simply call it "The People's Base" because it was built through voluntary work over thirty years ago, and because people really care about the base, says rescuer Einar Brendryen.
And Einar receives full support from the rest of the crew who are on duty when we visit what may be our coziest base: the mountain base at Dombås.
Important for the community
The base officially opened in 1987 and covers large parts of Innlandet, extending towards the Swedish border, up to Trøndelag, and out towards the west coast, making it a well-placed base in the national air ambulance service.
There are many mountains here; the base is situated among three of Norway's highest peaks, and there is a considerable distance to the nearest hospital.
- We have fewer patients than the more urban bases, but the patients we do have really need us due to the distances. And we notice this when we meet the local community here; for them, the base is very important, says pilot Arne Utby.
Base Dombås
Easter is just around the corner, and the sun has begun to warm outside the base at Dombås. From now on, and throughout the summer season, it will be the busiest time for the base. Many people hike in the beautiful mountain and plateau areas here.
Rescuers and pilots work week-long shifts at the base, while the doctor works shifts of 3-5 days. The base becomes their second home, and it is important that the facilities are good.
- This is an attractive base to work at; people enjoy it so much that no one leaves, laughs doctor Grete West.
Upgrade
The base now requires necessary upgrades, and Hospital Innlandet HF and the Air Ambulance Service HF (LAT HF), who are tenants of the base facilities, therefore combined the visit with reviewing the plans for the upgrade.
Photo: Elin Åsbakk Lind
Facts about Base Dombås
366 missions completed in 2025, of which 73 per cent were emergency missions.
Health region: Helse Sør-Øst RHF
Medical responsibility: Sykehuset Innlandet HF
Medical personnel from: Sykehuset Innlandet HF
Operational personnel from: Norsk Luftambulanse Helikopter AS
Owner of the base premises: Norsk Luftambulanse Teknologi AS
Managing Director Randi Spørck continues her tour, during which she will visit all the bases in the service.
Photo: Elin Åsbakk Lind
- It is always incredibly useful for me to get out and have direct dialogue with those who work in the service. And it was nice to see the base in person and not just on paper, said Spørck.
- And one feels completely at peace just looking at this view, she added.
