Fire crews train in closed Terfener Tunnel

Fire crews from three districts carried out a large-scale exercise in the Terfener Tunnel, a railway tunnel, on Saturday. ORF reported that the closure of one of Austria’s longest railway tunnels allowed them to train for emergencies involving communications, firefighting, searching and rescue.

The exercise involved firefighters from the Schwaz, Innsbruck-Land and Kufstein districts, supported by representatives of Austrian Federal Railways, or ÖBB. Tunnel operations pose particular challenges because of limited access, difficult orientation and the conditions surrounding fires, according to the Schwaz District Fire Brigade Association.

Exercise covered communications, firefighting and rescue

The exercise was divided into three main sections. The first focused on establishing and dismantling radio communications inside the tunnel to support coordination during searches and firefighting operations.

The second covered firefighting. Crews tested water extraction points inside the tunnel and practised techniques including structural cooling and hose management in confined conditions.

The third focused on finding and rescuing people who might still be inside trains or the tunnel. Firefighters practised systematic searches using marker lights.

Crews also practised transporting emergency equipment with special rail wagons designed for tunnel operations. Six tunnel trains, 46 vehicles and about 300 firefighters and ÖBB personnel took part.

The tunnel between Stans and Baumkirchen is closed until September 14 because of construction work to build an overtaking station. The closure enabled the emergency services to train under realistic conditions and strengthen cooperation between districts.