Emergency services are preparing for a tunnel fire in the Hiefler Tunnel!

Emergency services are preparing for a tunnel fire in the Hiefler Tunnel!

On June 15, 2025, a large-scale operational exercise took place in the Hiefler Tunnel, which marked the completion of the general renovation of the Golling-Werfen tunnel chain. How Fireworld Reportedly, 217 emergency services from the fire department, rescue, police and ASFINAG took part. The aim of the exercise was to test the Austria-wide standardized tactics for tunnel fires and to get to know new technologies in the modernized tunnel systems.

A realistic training scenario was developed under the direction of the Golling fire department. The exercise assumption envisaged a truck fire during a traffic jam 200 meters in front of the north portal of the Hiefler Tunnel. ASFINAG also provided vehicles, extras and pyrotechnics to make the exercise as authentic as possible. A total of 34 extras were professionally painted with injuries by the Red Cross to simulate an emergency.

Exercise scenarios and implementation

In a part of the tunnel that was completely closed for the exercise, the firefighters had to make full use of the tactics of the explorers, extinguishers and rescuers. The majority of people were able to escape from the tunnel on their own, but some were trapped or injured and required assistance. The Red Cross took care of the injured extras throughout the exercise.

Completely switching off the ventilation in the tunnel significantly increased the exercise intensity. The alarm for the operational exercise was triggered at 8:25 p.m. and the exercise objective was achieved at 10:05 p.m. The findings from this exercise are incorporated into further training, communication management and tactical procedures in order to optimally equip the emergency services for future challenges in the area of ​​tunnel fires.

Challenges in tunnel fires

The issue of tunnel fires should by no means be underestimated Tunnel Online determines. Even if there are widespread views that fire departments can only do little in the event of extremely large fires in tunnels, practical experience shows that emergency services can take decisive measures in such operations. In the Gotthard road tunnel and the Mont Blanc tunnel, firefighters were able to reach up to 20 meters to the fire in certain situations.

The right procedure and training are crucial in order to be able to react correctly in an emergency. The International Fire Academy (IFA) has already developed numerous information sheets that support the training and repetition of operational doctrine for tunnel fires. Loud IFA These materials are available in different languages ​​and are available to course participants after successful training. The information sheets are also a valuable resource for preparing for an emergency.

After the extensive exercise, the Hieflertunnel emergency services are well prepared for traffic clearance so that they can act quickly and carefully in real emergencies in the future.