Tunnel fire fighting

Tunnel fire fighting: Long ways and heavy respiratory equipment.

When it is about fighting fires in subway, railroad and road tunnels, one thing is for sure: In the event of a fire very particular demands are placed on the fire department. Dependent on the tunnel rescue plan in the individual case, the firefighters gain access to the place of operation via the tube or shaft concerned or not concerned, if available. Very often, the respiratory equipment team has to put up with long ways. What makes the fire-fighting operations even more difficult, are heat, poor sight due to smoke and obstacles in the tunnel, such as vehicles or trains. In such emergencies, thermal imaging cameras are of great help with regard to the orientation and detection of the fire source.

Particularly for such special circumstances, Dräger delivers circulation respiratory protection, which provide a breathing air supply of up to four hours. Using such devices allows to operate and fight the fire as long as possible at the location in spite of the long ways. A clear communication is required especially in the extreme situation of tunnel firefighting; for this purpose, Dräger offers communication systems such as fully integrated mask communication systems or communication systems for the integration into the firefighter helmet. For railroad tunnels, complete rescue and ambulance trains, equipped with special containers and self-sufficient breathing air supply, are available from Dräger.

After the operation, the job of the service personnel starts. Dräger offers complete workshop equipment and solutions for the maintenance and servicing of equipment and masks as well as for the filling of breathing air cylinders. Moreover, the training in one of the Dräger exercise facilities represents the optimum preparation for the next operations. After all, no operation is like the other.