On May 23, 2024, an impressive multidisciplinary exercise took place in the Corbulo Tunnel in Leiden, organized in preparation for the official opening of the tunnel in July. FireWare played a crucial role in making the accident environment as realistic as possible with the available vehicles and a bus fire.
A tunnel is a complex structure with specific features where emergencies can develop faster than on an open road section. It poses different challenges with corresponding procedures, intercommunication, and technical capabilities. Good multidisciplinary exercises are essential to ensure safety in the tunnel.
Realistic Staging
FireWare's staging team, equipped with specific knowledge and equipment for staging a tunnel fire and evacuation, ensured that the exercise was realistic down to the smallest details. 3 cars and a bus collided. Occupants became trapped, and a fire broke out. The tunnel had to be evacuated, victims freed, and the fire extinguished. By staging all of this realistically, emergency services, including firefighters, police, and ambulance personnel, had the opportunity to test and improve their procedures and cooperation.
The initial contacts for this project were made in December 2023, followed by months of intensive planning. Roos Vegter from the Safety Region Hollands Midden and project leader of the exercise emphasized the importance of this exercise: "Creating a realistic training environment helps emergency services to be better prepared for real incidents. By working together and practicing, we can ensure that emergency response is efficient and effective in case of a real emergency."
Watch the Exercise on TV
Omroep West broadcasts the documentary "De RijnlandRoute". In the episode airing on June 15, the exercise is extensively covered. See Omroep West | RijnlandRoute for this.
FireWare looks back on a successful exercise and is proud of its contribution to the safety of future users of the tunnel.
Photos 1 and 2 were taken by Vincent Basler Fotografie.
Curious about other tunnel exercises we have conducted? Check out our portfolio.
