Rescue exercise in the Monte Ceneri tunnel (cross-border guide)

Context

In brief

• Rescue exercise in the Monte Ceneri tunnel
• Simulated fire in a Giruno train
• Participants: 50 extras and 100 rescuers

Key facts

• What: Rescue exercise
• When: Night between Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September
• Where: Monte Ceneri railway tunnel
• Who: FFS, cantonal police, Ticino intervention forces
• Amount: Not specified

Fire on the train, inside a tunnel

In the night just passed, the FFS, the cantonal police and the Ticino intervention forces carried out a rescue exercise in the Monte Ceneri base tunnel. The exercise involved around fifty extras and a hundred rescuers, with the aim of testing the alarm, evacuation, recovery and collaboration. The initial assessment was positive for all partners.

The goal was to verify and optimize the alarm, evacuation and recovery processes as well as the collaboration between the forces in the field. Everything went smoothly, achieving a fully satisfactory result, which contributes to increasing the safety of travelers and employees.

Simulated fire in the driver's cab

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 inconvenience for customers but ensuring a realistic staging. A fire due to a technical failure in the driver's cab of a Giruno train was simulated, while traveling through the Monte Ceneri base tunnel. The flames quickly gain strength without being noticed and the emergency brake is activated. For the fire, the thick smoke and the sudden braking, the injury of some people is simulated.

Test on one of the worst possible scenarios

…

Operational details

Practical Implications

The exercise in the Monte Ceneri tunnel demonstrated the importance of preparation and collaboration between different emergency response teams. This type of simulation is crucial to ensure the safety of travelers and railway personnel in case of real emergencies. Evacuation and first aid procedures were successfully tested, and identified areas for improvement will be analyzed to further optimize the processes.

The safety of railway traffic in Switzerland is very high, but exercises like this are fundamental to maintaining this standard. The SBB emphasizes that, although events like the one simulated are highly unlikely, it is essential to be prepared to handle any emergency situation. Rescue exercises in the base tunnels of Monte Ceneri and San Gottardo take place every six years, and this constant commitment contributes to ensuring the safety of all travelers.

Conclusion

The rescue exercise in the Monte Ceneri tunnel was a success, demonstrating the effectiveness of emergency procedures and the collaboration between different emergency response teams. This type of simulation is essential to maintain the safety of railway traffic in Switzerland and to be ready to handle any emergency situation. The SBB will continue to conduct these exercises regularly to ensure the maximum safety of travelers and railway personnel.

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Key points

Concrete actions

For rail passengers and staff, it is important to be aware of the emergency procedures and safety measures taken by SBB. In the event of an emergency, it is essential to follow the instructions of the on-board personnel and the intervention forces. Rescue exercises like the one in the Monte Ceneri tunnel help ensure that these procedures are effective and that everyone is ready to deal with any emergency situation.

SBB continues to invest in rail traffic safety, regularly carrying out rescue exercises and taking measures to continuously improve emergency procedures. This constant commitment contributes to maintaining Switzerland as one of the safest countries in the world for rail transport.

For more information on the security measures taken by SBB and emergency procedures, you can visit the official SBB website or contact customer service. It is important to be informed and prepared to ensure your own safety and that of other travelers.

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Source: tio.ch