Canton Ticino, tunnel fire on board a train: but it's a drill (cross-border guide)

Context

In short

• Rescue exercise in the Monte Ceneri tunnel
• Participants: 50 extras, 100 rescuers
• Simulated fire on board a train

Key facts

• What: Rescue exercise
• When: Night between Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September
• Where: Monte Ceneri base tunnel
• Who: SBB, Cantonal Police, Ticino intervention forces
• Amount: Not specified

Last night, SBB, the cantonal police, and Ticino intervention forces conducted a rescue exercise in the Monte Ceneri base tunnel. The event's objective was to verify and optimize the alert system, evacuation and recovery processes, and collaboration among the forces involved. Everything went smoothly, achieving a fully satisfactory result that contributes to increasing the safety of travelers and staff.

Around fifty extras and a hundred rescuers were engaged from just before midnight on Saturday 5 to five in the morning on Sunday 6 September, during a planned maintenance window – limiting customer inconvenience but ensuring a realistic scenario. A fire caused by a technical malfunction in the driver's cab of a Giruno train traveling through the Monte Ceneri base tunnel was simulated. The flames quickly gain strength without being noticed, and the emergency brake is activated. Due to the fire, dense smoke, and sudden braking, injuries to some people are simulated.

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Operational details

Implications for Cross-Border Workers

The rescue exercise in the Monte Ceneri tunnel has important implications for cross-border workers who use the train daily to travel between Italy and Switzerland. The simulation of a fire on board a train is an extreme event, but preparation and collaboration between emergency services are crucial to ensure the safety of all passengers, including cross-border workers. The coordinated alert and evacuation procedures tested during the exercise contribute to improving the overall safety of the railway system, making travel safer for everyone.

Evacuation Procedures

During the exercise, evacuation and first aid procedures were tested. A fire on board a train was simulated, with flames quickly gaining strength and the emergency brake suddenly activating. This scenario allowed the effectiveness of evacuation and first aid procedures to be assessed, identifying areas for improvement to make the procedures more efficient. After a more in-depth analysis, if necessary, these processes will be adapted to ensure maximum possible safety.

Collaboration between Emergency Services

Collaboration between emergency services was a key element of the exercise. The coordinated alert, starting from the train personnel to the directions of the cantonal emergency services, allowed the effectiveness of communication and collaboration between the different entities involved to be tested. This type of exercise is fundamental to ensure that, in the event of a real emergency, all emergency services are ready to respond quickly and effectively.

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Key points

Actions for Cross-Border Commuters

Cross-border commuters who use the train to travel between Italy and Switzerland can feel safer knowing that the intervention forces are well prepared to handle emergency situations. It is important that cross-border commuters are aware of evacuation procedures and first aid, and that they always follow the instructions of the on-board personnel in case of an emergency. The safety of passengers is a priority for the SBB and the intervention forces, and this type of exercise contributes to ensuring that all passengers, including cross-border commuters, are protected.

Useful Tools

For cross-border commuters who want to learn more about safety procedures and rescue exercises, it is possible to consult the SBB website and the Ticino intervention forces. These sites provide detailed information on the safety measures adopted and the exercises carried out to ensure the safety of passengers.

Conclusion

The rescue exercise in the Monte Ceneri tunnel was a success, contributing to improving the safety of the railway system for all passengers, including cross-border commuters. The collaboration between the intervention forces and the evacuation procedures tested during the exercise are crucial to ensuring the maximum possible safety. Cross-border commuters can feel safer knowing that the intervention forces are well prepared to handle emergency situations.

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Source: comozero.it