Madrid to add 99 AI-equipped ambulances and build a fortified emergency hub in Hortaleza

Madrid’s emergency response infrastructure is set for a significant overhaul, as Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida prepares to unveil two projects at the State of the City debate on Tuesday. The city will integrate 99 new ambulances into Samur-Protección Civil, each carrying ultrasound devices enhanced by artificial intelligence to speed up on-the-spot diagnoses. At the same time, a new Integrated Security and Emergencies Centre (CISEM) will be built in the Hortaleza district, designed to withstand physical attacks and natural disasters while keeping communications operational during crises.

Smarter ambulances for faster diagnosis

Samur-Protección Civil already pioneered the use of out-of-hospital ultrasound in its emergency vehicles, but the upcoming fleet will push that capability further. The 99 new ambulances will be equipped with AI systems that improve image interpretation, raising diagnostic accuracy and helping paramedics make clinical decisions while a patient is en route to hospital. The City Council describes the move as a continued bet on technology to reinforce healthcare assistance.

The City Council continues to bet on new technologies to reinforce the healthcare assistance of Samur-Protección Civil.

The area of Security and Emergencies, led by Deputy Mayor Inma Sanz, says the objective is to amplify medical coordination from the ambulances themselves, giving a service already considered excellent the best tools and conditions. The AI ultrasound devices are expected to reduce the time to reach a preliminary diagnosis, which can be critical for severe trauma, heart attacks, and strokes.

A bunker-like command centre for crises

Beyond the vehicles, the administration is planning a new physical home for its crisis response. The future CISEM building, on a plot of more than 12,000 square metres with nearly 18,000 square metres of floor space, will be equipped with what officials call the maximum protection level: “Cinco Escudos” (Five Shields). This standard implies a communications network with five protective layers, perimeter security, and bunkerisation of critical zones. The design incorporates mitigation against impacts, explosions, and natural risks.

The new CISEM will mean an extremely important advance in the integration and coordination of different municipal teams during an emergency.

The current CISEM already proved its value during the 2025 electrical blackout in Madrid and during heavy rainfall episodes in the winter and spring of that year. The new building will upgrade that capacity, with three above-ground floors, underground parking, and hardened data links to guarantee coverage even under attack or disaster conditions.

Timeline and next steps

Both announcements frame the mayor’s broader security message for the State of the City debate. The ambulance fleet incorporation is described as “próximamente” (soon), though no exact date was given. On the other hand, the new CISEM has a clearer path: the project is already in the drafting phase, with the tender process scheduled for 2027 and the start of construction planned for 2028. Once finished, the facility will serve as the unified hub for all emergency coordination in the Spanish capital.