Emergency forces are preparing for tunnels in the Hiefler tunnel!

Emergency forces are preparing for tunnels in the Hiefler tunnel!

Hieflertunnel, Österreich - On June 15, 2025, a large-scale application exercise took place in the Hiefler tunnel, which marks the completion of the general renovation of the Golling throwing chain. As Fireworld reported 217 forces from fire brigade, rescue, police and Asfinag participated. The aim of the exercise was to test the tactics united in Austria at tunnel fires and to get to know new technologies in the modernized tunnel systems.

Under the direction of the Golling fire brigade, a realistic practice scenario was developed. The exercise assumption provided for 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 made up by the Red Cross with injuries to simulate the emergency.

exercise scenarios and implementation

In part of the tunnel, which was completely blocked for the exercise, the firefighters had to fully exploit the tactics of the explorers, extinguishers and rescuers. The majority of the people were able to save themselves from the tunnel independently, but some were included or injured and required support. The Red Cross took over the care of the injured extras during the entire exercise.

The full shutdown of the ventilation in the tunnel significantly increased the exercise intensity. At 8:25 p.m. the alarm was triggered for the operational exercise, and the exercise goal was reached at 10:05 p.m. The findings from this exercise flow into further training, communication management and the tactical procedures in order to optimally equip the emergency services for future challenges in the area of ​​tunnel fires.

challenges in tunnel fires

The topic of the tunnel fires is by no means to be underestimated, as well as tunnel online . Even if there are widespread views that fire brigades can only align a little in tunnels in the event of extreme major fires, experiences from practice show that emergency services can take decisive measures in such operations. In certain situations, firefighters were able to get up to 20 meters to the fire in the Gotthard street tunnel and in the Mont Blanc tunnel.

The right procedure and the training are crucial in order to be able to react correctly in an emergency. The International Fire Academy (IFA) has already developed numerous leaflets that support the training and repetition of the operational teaching for tunnel fires. According to IFA , these materials are available in different languages ​​and are available to participants after successful training. The leaflets are also a valuable resource to prepare for an emergency.

The emergency services of the Hiefler tunnel are well equipped for traffic after the comprehensive exercise in order to be able to act quickly and carefully in the future even in real emergencies.