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crews laying out different hose line configurations in a tunnel with no fire main. ‘The results showed how slow and resource-intensive the process can be, and although the research provided some recommendations to increase the efficiency of the task, it highlights the importance of having internal hydrant systems,’ he said. Interschutz also showcased the latest developments in firefighting technology, including advanced selfcontained breathing apparatus sets with telemetry and hands-free communications capabilities, and thermal imaging cameras. ‘It was clear from many of the exhibitions that numerous European fire services have recognised the need to provide specialist and sometimes custom-built appliances and equipment to support emergency response in road and rail tunnels,’ he said. ‘Many different technologies are available to maximise the extinguishing efficiency of firefighting <strong>media</strong>, such as water mist, additives and Compressed Air Foam Systems (CAFS). ‘One innovative example is Rosenbauer’s self-contained CAFS reel that has been fitted along the length of several European tunnels. Fixed firefighting equipment has to be easy and safe to operate because often they are used by motorists who have little or no firefighting knowledge. ‘Specialist firefighting appliances vary from small folding rail carts and compact Rapid Intervention Vehicles (RIV) right up to sophisticated special appliances equipped with a hydraulic rail wheel bogie that allows the vehicle to ride on railway lines,’ Shan said. Shan saw one of these specialist vehicles in service when he visited St Valentine Fire Station in Austria. Designed and equipped specifically for underground rail incidents, the appliance features a hydraulic bogie wheel system, an integral air supply with cabin connection points and forward-looking infra-red at the front and rear to provide visibility in poor light or heavy smoke. Shan also learned about the Austrian federal government’s standardised approach to tunnel fire safety. Each state has a control centre that monitors and controls traffic in its jurisdiction. ‘Prior to the introduction of EU directive 2004/54/EC, there were many tunnels in Europe which had different control authorities at each portal. This led to communication problems and a fragmented approach to overall management and emergency response. ‘The traffic centre I visited at Wels, for example, controls all 14 road tunnels in upper Austria. The tunnels are all relatively modern and comply with the EU directive. ‘Most of the tunnels over 1500m have an emergency stopping bay equipped with a lightweight hose reel that is designed to be easily used by an untrained person.’ The Austrian government body responsible for road and rail transport, ASFINAG, prepares thorough plans that provide information on the construction and location of fire and life safety features. These plans also define the multi-agency response that is required for various incident scenarios. ‘Regular multi-agency exercises are performed during tunnel maintenance shutdowns,’ Shan said. ‘The response philosophy is to respond via the nonincident tube in twin-bore tunnels and to respond from the upwind direction in single-bore tunnels.’ ‘Austria’s fire services are very well equipped and trained, which was evident when I visited the NO Landes- Feuerwehrschule (Lower Austria Fire Service Academy) in Tulln. ‘The eight-hectare complex had recently received a 43 million euro upgrade and featured realistic simulation facilities for almost every conceivable emergency incident, including a tunnel building, that firefighters in this part of Austria could respond to. ‘The tunnel facility is about 200m long and has several elements such as smoke generators and sound effects to help make the exercises more realistic,’ he said. 20 Emergency December <strong>2011</strong> www.communitysafety.qld.gov.au
Most of the tunnels over 1500m have an emergency stopping bay equipped with a lightweight hose reel that is designed to be easily used by an untrained person Left: Copenhagen’s Pioneer Station is equipped to handle any special rescue task from underwater emergencies to tunnel incidents Right: Not all solutions have to be high-tech. This simple lightweight platform can make the job of transporting equipment or injured persons much easier than manual handling. There are many variations varying from folding platforms up to electrically-powered units. The advantage of the small units is that they are very easy to deploy at any point where there is pedestrian access Below: Realistic full-scale multi-agency exercises are viewed as essential to ensure that response plans are effective www.communitysafety.qld.gov.au Emergency December <strong>2011</strong> 21
Page 1 and 2: December 2011 A pu
Page 3 and 4: Peers award QAS for management prac
Page 5 and 6: IBM thanked for disaster donation I
Page 7 and 8: Connect with us online Facebook www
Page 9 and 10: The devastating cyclones and floods
Page 11 and 12: elationships with major partner NRM
Page 13 and 14: Paramedics award Brisbane young her
Page 15 and 16: QFRS triathlon dea
Page 17 and 18: A hero discount for SES</st
Page 19: The increasing number of large-scal
Page 23 and 24: Safety in focus as DCS</str
Page 25 and 26: An innovative collaboration between
Page 27 and 28: Paramedics test post-cyclone capabi
Page 29 and 30: It’s a wrap for RAAP 2011
Page 31: A dvanced Care Paramedic Keara Baco

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