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International Fire Academy

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In Balsthal, Switzerland, the International Fire Academy is a teaching fire service academy specializing in the development of tactics and techniques and the training of firefighters to deal with operations in underground transport system...[1] It is operated by the Intercantonal Fire Service Training Centre in cooperation with Gasser Felstechnik AG. The main shareholders are the Basellandschaftliche Building Insurance and the Solothurnische Building Insurance, two public-law institutions responsible for the cantonal supervision of the fire-services.[2]

Locations[edit]

International Fire Academy
International Fire Academy's Reception area
Reception area
Address
Industriezone Klus 17

Balsthal
,
Solothurn

Switzerland
Information
MottoIt's all about people.
Established2009
DirectorUrs Kummer
Teaching staff8 Senior Instructors, 55 Instructors
Enrollmentabout 4000 firefighters per year
LanguageEnglish, German, French, Italian
PublicationTextbool "Firefighting Operations in Road Tunnels"
Websitewww.ifa-swiss.ch

The International Fire Academy is based in Balsthal in the canton of Solothurn. The Intercantonal Fire Service Training Centre is located at the same location. Both organizations operate training facilities there for field-based fire service training. The second location of the International Fire Academy is in Lungern in the canton of Obwalden.[3]

History[edit]

After the fire incident in the Mont Blanc Road Tunnel between Chamonix (F) and Aosta (I) on 24 March 1999, the director of the Swiss Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) formed a task force. It should investigate the safety aspects of the Gotthard Road Tunnel and the San Bernardino Tunnel. After the fire incident on 29 May 1999 in the Tauern Road Tunnel, the investigation was extended to all tunnels of the Swiss road network with a length of more than 600 meters. The final report of the task force of 23 May 2000 emphasizes that the structural and technical safety installations can only develop their full effect if they are coordinated with an efficient emergency service and the correct behavior of road users. As one measure, the task force proposed constructing a training tunnel and demanded that the training facility be realistic and correspond to defined incident scenarios.

Preliminary studies and development work[edit]

In the summer of 2001, the Intercantonal Fire Service Training Centre in Balsthal launched the tunnel project on the initiative of Bernhard Fröhlich, Director of the Basellandschaftliche Building Insurance. The kick-off meeting for the preliminary studies on the development of training facilities on 24 October 2001 was overshadowed by the fire in the Gotthard Road Tunnel[4], which killed eleven people that day[5]

Construction of the training tunnel facilities and the founding of the International Fire Academy[edit]

In 2005, the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) commissioned the Basellandschaftliche Building Insurance and the Solothurnische Building Insurance, as the carrier of the Intercantonal Fire Service Training Centre, in partnership with Gasser Felstechnik AG, to build two training tunnel facilities at the Balsthal and Lungern sites for training emergency services to deal with (fire) incidents in tunnels and to develop an operational procedure for dealing with such incidents in road tunnels.[6] In the same year, the Intercantonal Fire Service Training Centre founded a didactics and development team and recruited firefighters and experts in the construction and operation of road tunnels for collaboration. This body developed the operational procedure and the didactic principles for the training.[7]

In 2006, the construction of the training tunnels began. In 2007, the Swiss Federal Railways AG also commissioned the construction of a railway training tunnel. The initial investment in the training tunnel facilities totalled CHF 44 million. On 2 October 2009, the training tunnels in Balsthal and Lungern were opened, and the International Fire Academy was founded as an independent organization. Since 2010, standardized training courses for Swiss firefighters have been offered.[4]

International orientation[edit]

From 2010 to 2012, the International Fire Academy conducted pilot courses and workshops with fire services from Europe and overseas, and in 2012 opened the training offers to foreign fire services in general. In order to promote the exchange of experience among fire service officers on operations in underground transport systems, the International Fire Academy hosted its first Fire Chief Forum in the same year. Since then, the Fire Chief Forum has been held regularly at different locations.[4]

In September 2013, the International Fire Academy was named "Europe's Leading Fire Service Academy for Education and Training in Underground Transport Systems" at the "Fire Protection and Safety in Tunnels" conference in Norway.[8]

Approval and publication of the "Road Tunnel Firefighting Procedure"[edit]

In 2012, the Swiss Fire Service Inspector Conference approved the firefighting procedure[9] for interventions in road tunnels developed at the International Fire Academy. Since then, it has been the uniform training basis for all fire services in Switzerland.[10]

In 2014 the International Fire Academy published the textbook "Brandeinsätze in Strassentunneln"[11][12], which documents the firefighting procedure and essential content of the training. The book was published in French in 2015 under the title "La défense incendie dans les tunnels routiers"[13]. The English edition entitled "Firefighting Operations in Road Tunnels"[10] followed in 2016. In 2017, the International Fire Academy published two supplementary leaflets, "Firefighting Operations in Road Tunnels", as a training aid in German, French, English and Italian.[14]

Development, approval and publication of the "Firefighting Procedure for Railway Tunnels"[edit]

In 2015, the International Fire Academy expanded the didactics and development team to include railway experts in order to develop an operational procedure for interventions in railway tunnels. The Swiss Fire Service Inspector Conference approved the Procedure in 2018 as a uniform training basis for Switzerland.[15] The textbook "Brandeinsätze in Bahntunneln" was published by the International Fire Academy in 2020.[16][17] It documents the firefighting procedure as well as supplementary background knowledge on railway facilities, operational technology and operational preparation. The book was published in French in 2022 under the title "La défense incendie dans les tunnels ferroviaires"[18] and in English entitled "Firefighting Operations in Railway Tunnels"[19]

Expansion of the training facilities for railway incidents[edit]

Site of the International Fire Academy in Balsthal (CH)
Site of the International Fire Academy in Balsthal (CH)

With the development of the firefighting procedure for railway tunnels, the International Fire Academy laid the foundation for being commissioned in the long term by Switzerland's railway infrastructure carriers to provide centralized, location-independent training for Swiss firefighters for railway incidents. Another cornerstone was the expansion of the training infrastructure in 2018. This created additional course capacities and enabled the presentation of further operational scenarios and conditions.[20] The investment for the expansion amounted to four million Swiss francs, half of which went into expanding the fire simulation installation.[21]

Tunnel training facilities[edit]

The International Fire Academy has a road and a railway training tunnel, a railway training area, a training car park and the Tactics Centre in Balsthal. In Lungern, it operates another road training tunnel. All training facilities represent the relevant elements of a real underground traffic system on a scale of 1:1.[22] The mock-up vehicles used are equipped with gas-fired fire scenes.[23]

Road training tunnel in Balsthal[edit]

Firefighting attack in the road tunnel in Balsthal (CH)
Firefighting attack in the road tunnel in Balsthal (CH)

The two-lane road training tunnel in Balsthal is approx. 300 m long.[23] It has two portals, a drivable cross passage, a pressurised side tunnel, a shelter and a roadway undercrossing. Access is also possible from the outside via various doors and stairs. Up to five fire mock-ups – from cars to coaches – are integrated into the training scenarios. In addition, up to 50 vehicles are used as props, including also tankers and an urban bus.[22]

Railway training tunnel and railway training area in Balsthal[edit]

Training drill in the railway training tunnel in Balsthal (CH)
Training drill in the railway training tunnel in Balsthal (CH)

The single-track railway training tunnel is approx. 100 m long. The firefighters have to walk up to 300 m long approaches to reach the seat of the fire in the tunnel. Of the four railway cars, two are equipped with a total of 14 gas-fueled fire scenes. The scenarios that can be depicted, range from small fires up to a full fire spreading on to a second car. Two axles of one railway car can be tilted to simulate a derailment. On the outdoor railway training area lies an overturned passenger car. With it, different types of access and rescue are trained there in particular.[23]

Training car park in Balsthal[edit]

The training car park has three staggered levels that can be reached via various entrances. It can also be used for training as an underground car park. Ventilation management with mobile fans is a central training topic, in addition to firefighting and search & rescue.[22]

Tactics Centre in Balsthal[edit]

Overturned railway wagon on the railway training area in Balsthal (CH)
Overturned railway wagon on the railway training area in Balsthal (CH)

The Tactics Centre is used to train incident commanders and to develop operational concepts. A specially developed projection technique is used in order to be able to play through different scenarios.[24] Three adjacent rooms represent the two portals and the tunnel interior. The scenarios are projected from below onto large, glass tables which can be written and played on.[22] A fourth room is available for simulating the fire service control centre or the operations centre of the railway infrastructure carrier.[24]

Training tunnel facility in Lungern[edit]

Firefighting instruction in the multi-storey training car park in Balsthal (CH)
Firefighting instruction in the multi-storey training car park in Balsthal (CH)

The training tunnel facility in Lungern is located deep in the mountain. The centerpiece is the fire area in the road training tunnel. The maximum attack distance of 650 m over the underground path system is a stress test for breathing apparatus wearer. Two articulated lorries and one car fire mock-up are available for practizing firefighting. The central scenario is based on the fire incident in the Gotthard Road Tunnel in 2001. One tunnel section is undeveloped, 390 m long and is used, among other things, to prepare for operations on tunnel construction sites.[23][24]

Course offers and counselling[edit]

The following training options are offered for non-Swiss fire services[25]

  • Course "Firefighting operations in road tunnels"
  • Course "Firefighting operations in railway tunnels"
  • Course "Firefighting operations in underground car parks"
  • Courses for trainers (only in cooperation with fire service authorities)
  • Individualized training programs
  • Individualized training at the fire services location
Tabletop training technique in the Tactics Center in Balsthal (CH)
Tabletop training technique in the Tactics Center in Balsthal (CH)

In addition to the courses offered, the International Fire Academy supports fire services in developing and implementing facility-specific intervention concepts. The International Fire Academy advises systemically and also uses elements of the tabletop exercise technique to bring about tactical decisions.[26]

Methodology and didactics[edit]

Training scenario with two burning lorries in Lungern (CH)
Training scenario with two burning lorries in Lungern (CH)

The International Fire Academy practices experience-based learning and calls its didactic approach experiential learning. This approach is based on the epistemological assumption that people construct their reality individually, building on their respective experiences. For this reason, the International Fire Academy developed learning and experience worlds in which fire service members can experience the unique operating conditions and tasks in underground transport systems with all their senses and apply the tactics and techniques taught under near-operational conditions.[27]

Research and development[edit]

At the International Fire Academy, the Didactics and Development Team (DDT) is responsible for developing the operational procedures and defining the didactic principles for the training. The DDT includes experienced firefighters and experts in the construction and operation of traffic tunnels.[7]

Since 2019, the International Fire Academy has been participating in the European research project "HyTunnel-CS"[28] and since 2020 in the "HyResponder"[29] project. The objectives are to develop normative principles for the safest possible hydrogen vehicles and to develop and implement a sustainable hydrogen safety train-the-trainer programme for first responders for Europe.[30] An online workshop in October 2020 supported the research project by developing questions about the problems with hydrogen-powered vehicles involved in incidents.[31]

Literature[edit]

Independent publications[edit]

  • Brauner et al: Firefighting Operations in Road Tunnels, Kehsler Verlag, Saulheim 2016, ISBN 978-3-942385-04-6
  • Brauner et al: Firefighting Operations in Railway Tunnels, Kehsler Verlag, Saulheim 2022, ISBN 978-3-942385-10-7
  • International Fire Academy (Pub.): International Fire Academy 2009–2019, Kehsler Verlag, Saulheim 2019, ISBN 978-3-942385-07-7

Journal and book articles[edit]

  • Berchtold, Daniel: Realitätsnahe Szenarien im neuen Übungstunnel und auf dem Bahn-Übungsgelände, in: 118 swissfire.ch. Schweizer Feuerwehr-Zeitung, Nr. 3/2019, ISSN 1663-6279, pp. 50–51.
  • Brauner et al: Möglichkeiten und Grenzen des abwehrenden Brandschutzes in unterirdischen Verkehrsanlagen, in: vfdb, Vereinigung zur Förderung des Deutschen Brandschutzes e.V. (Pub.): Tagungsband der Jahresfachtagung 2012 der Vereinigung zur Förderung des Brandschutzes (vfdb), VdS Schadenverhütung – Bildungszentrum & Verlag, Köln 2012, pp. 115-133.
  • Brauner, Christian: Hohen Zeitbedarf bei Tunneleinsätzen durch taktische und technische Maßnahmen kompensieren, in: Crisis prevention, 3/2014, ISSN 2198-0527, pp. 36–38.
  • Brauner, Christian: Optimierte Tunnelbrandbekämpfung durch Feuerwehren: Parameter, taktische Grundsätze, Techniken, Kooperationen, Schlussfolgerungen, in: Forschung + Praxis, Nr. 46, STUVA-Tagung 2015, Ernst & Sohn Verlag, Berlin 2016, ISBN 978-3-433-03144-5, pp. 345–352.
  • Brauner, Christian: Tunnel-Brandeinsätze: Die Eindringtiefe als maßgebliche Größe, in: Tunnel, Nr. 5/2015, ISSN 0722-6241, pp. 40–45.
  • Brauner, Christian: Firefighting in tunnels, in: Crisis response, Vol. 12, issue 1, September 2016, ISSN 1745-8633, pp. 92–93.
  • Brauner, Christian: Extinguish to rescue, in: Crisis response, Vol. 12, issue 2, Dezember 2016, ISSN 1745-8633, pp. 92–93.
  • Brauner, Christian: Operational limits with respiratory protection, in: Crisis response, Vol. 12, issue 4, August 2017, ISSN 1745-8633, pp. 88–89.
  • Brauner, Christian: Neue Ausbildungsgrundlagen für Einsätze in Bahntunneln, in: 118 swissfire.ch. Schweizer Feuerwehr-Zeitung, Nr. 2/2019, ISSN 1663-6279, pp. 40–43.
  • Brauner, Christian: Neue Schweizer Einsatzlehre Bahntunnel, in: BrandSchutz. Deutsche Feuerwehr-Zeitung, Nr. 4/19, ISSN 0006-9094 , pp. 270–276.
  • Karlen, Rolf: Mögliche Einsatzbedingungen auf offener Strecke und im Bahntunnel erleben, in: 118 swissfire.ch. Schweizer Feuerwehr-Zeitung, Nr. 4/2019, ISSN 1663-6279, pp. 40–41.
  • Kummer, Urs: Specific Tactics for Combating Tunnel Fires, in: Tunnel, 3/2014, ISSN 0722-6241, pp. 26–31.
  • Kummer, Urs: Coordinated Solutions for Incidents, in: Tunnel, 8/2015, ISSN 0722-6241, pp. 46–51.
  • Karlen, Rolf: Preparing for tunnel fires, in: Fire & rescue, third quarter 2015, ISSN 0964-9727, pp. 48–51.
  • Karlen, Rolf: Koordinierte Lösung für den Ereignisfall, in: Tunnel, 8/2015, ISSN 0722-6241, pp. 46–51.
  • Karlen, Rolf: Mehr Sicherheit in Tunneln, in: TEC21. Schweizer Bauzeitung, Nr. 18–19, 29. April 2016, ISSN 0036-7524, S. 17–18.
  • Pruschoff, Olaf: Klassenzimmer im Tunnel, in: Feuerwehr-Magazin, Nr. 8/2020, ISSN 0943- 027X
  • Vogt, Markus: Tunnelbrandbekämpfung, in: Crisis prevention, 1/2014, ISSN 2198-0527, pp. 36– 37.
  • Vogt, Markus: Tunnelbrandbekämpfung in der International Fire Academy, in: Feuerwehr Fachjournal. Fachzeitschrift für Feuerwehr und Rettungswesen, Nr. 02/2014, ISSN 1866-444X, pp. 38–46.
  • Vogt, Markus: Tunnel Firefighting Operations, in: Fire Engineering, Nr. 4/2016, Vol. 169, ISSN, 0015-2587, pp. 135–137.
  • Vogt, Markus: Tactical principles and techniques to optimize firefighting in tunnels, in: International Fire Fighter, Juni 2017, ISSN 1915-402X, pp. 60–62.
  • Weber, Urs: Große Herausforderung, in: Feuerwehr. Retten – Löschen – Bergen, 12/2014, ISSN 0500-6260, pp. 6–8.
  • Wernli, Marianne: Einheitliche Ausbildung für Einsätze auf Bahnanlagen in der Schweiz, in: BrandSchutz, Deutsche Feuerwehr-Zeitung, Nr. 4/19, ISSN 0006-9094 , pp. 277–279.

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Kummer, Urs (2016-04-29). "Mehr Sicherheit in Tunneln". TEC21. Schweizer Bauzeitung (in German). 18–19: 17–18. ISSN 0036-7524.CS1 maint: Unrecognized language (link)
  2. ↑ "Deployment with confidence – Academy Profile" (pdf; 332 kb). www.ifa-swiss.ch. International Fire Academy. 2020-08-13. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  3. ↑ "How to arrive well with us". www.ifa-swiss.ch. International Fire Academy. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 International Fire Academy 2009–2019 (in English, français, and Deutsch). Saulheim (Germany): Kehsler Verlag. 2019. ISBN 978-3-942385-07-7. Search this book on
  5. ↑ "Inferno im Tunnel. Warum der St. Gotthard zur tödlichen Falle wurde". Spiegel. 27 October 2001. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  6. ↑ "ifa-Übungstunnelanlagen sind im Bau" (PDF). Löschblatt. January 2007. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "The Didactics and Development Team (DDT)". International Fire Academy. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  8. ↑ "ifa – Im Dienste der Feuerwehren" (PDF). Geschäftsbericht 2013. Solothurnische Gebäudeversicherung. pp. 18–19. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  9. ↑ Kummer, Urs (2014). "Specific Tactics for Combating Tunnel Fires". Tunnel. 3: 26–31. ISSN 0722-6241.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Brauner, Christian; et al. (Didactic and Development Team of the International Fire Academy) (2016). Firefighting Operations in Road Tunnels. Tactics – Techniques – Background. Saulheim (Germany): Kehsler Verlag. p. 135. ISBN 978-3-942385-04-6. Search this book on
  11. ↑ Brauner, Christian; et al. (Didaktik- und Entwicklungsteam der International Fire Academy) (2014). Brandeinsätze in Strassentunneln. Taktik – Technik – Hintergrund (in Deutsch). Saulheim (Germany): Kehsler Verlag. ISBN 978-3-942385-02-2. Search this book on
  12. ↑ "Comprehensive Manual on combatting Fires in Road Tunnels". Tunnel. 2: 66–67. 2015. ISSN 0722-6241.
  13. ↑ Brauner, Christian; et al. (L’équipe Didactique et développement) (2015). La défense incendie dans les tunnels routiers. Tactique – Technique – Connaissance de base (in français). Saulheim (Germany): Kehsler Verlag. ISBN 978-3-942385-03-9. Search this book on
  14. ↑ "Basic works for tunnel fire training". International Fire Academy. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  15. ↑ Brauner, Christian; et al. (The Didactics and Development Team) (2022). Firefighting Operations in Road Tunnels. Tactics – Technique – Background. Saulheim (Germany): Kehsler Verlag. p. 196. ISBN 978-3-942385-10-7. Search this book on
  16. ↑ Brauner, Christian; et al. (Didaktik- und Entwicklungsteam der International Fire Academy) (2020). Brandeinsätze in Bahntunneln. Taktik – Technik – Hintergrund (in Deutsch). Saulheim (Germany): Kehsler Verlag. ISBN 978-3-942385-08-4. Search this book on
  17. ↑ "Textbook "Firefighting Operations in Railway Tunnels"". Tunnel. 2: 48–50. 2021. ISSN 0722-6241.
  18. ↑ Brauner, Christian; et al. (L’équipe Didactique et développement) (2022). La défense incendie dans les tunnel ferroviaires. Tactique –Technique – Connaisance de Base (in français). Saulheim (Germany): Kehsler Verlag. ISBN 978-3-942385-09-1. Search this book on
  19. ↑ Brauner, Christian; et al. (The Didactics and Development Team)) (2022). Firefighting Operations in Railway Tunnels. Tactics – Techniques – Background. Saulheim (Germany): Kehsler Verlag. ISBN 978-3-942385-10-7. Search this book on
  20. ↑ Karlen, Rolf (2019). "Mögliche Einsatzbedingungen auf offener Strecke und im Bahntunnelerleben". 118 Swissfire.ch Schweizer Feuerwehr-Zeitung (in Deutsch): 40–41. ISSN 1663-6279.
  21. ↑ Berchtold, Daniel (2019). "Realitätsnahe Szenarien im neuen Übungstunnel und auf dem Bahn-Übungsgelände". 118 Swissfire.ch. Schweizer Feuerwehr-Zeitung (in Deutsch): 50–51. ISSN 1663-6279.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 "Tunnel training facilities". Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 Preuschoff, Olaf (2020). "Klassenzimmer im Tunnel". Feierwehr-Magazin. 8: 68–78. ISSN 0943-027X.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 "Tactics Centre: Space for collective learning process". International Fire Academy. 17 December 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  25. ↑ "From multi-day intensive courses to on-site training". International Fire Academy. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  26. ↑ "Consulting for facility-specifi c solutions". International Fire Academy. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  27. ↑ "We exercise experience didactics – and let participants learn". International Fire Academy. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  28. ↑ "Hydrogen vehicles in tunnels: great danger for emergency response personnel". International Fire Academy. 25 August 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  29. ↑ "Towards rules of engagement for fi refi ghting operations concerning hydrogen". International Fire Academy. 7 September 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  30. ↑ "HyTunnel-CS. Pre-normative research for safety of hydrogen driven vehicles and transport through tunnels and similar confined spaces. Project No. 826193". HyTunnel-CS. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  31. ↑ "International workshop of first responders 5-6 October 2020, Virtual meeting". HyTunnel-CS. Retrieved 16 November 2022.

External links[edit]


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