We've checked the figures: Our leaflets «Firefighting Operations in Road Tunnels», «Firefighting Operations in Railway Tunnels» and «Operations in Underground Car Parks» have now reached a total print run of 241 000 copies in four languages. We would not have expected this figure so soon when we produced the first leaflets in 2018. Now the 3rd revised edition of «Firefighting Operations in Road Tunnels» is available. In this article, we explain what we have optimised.
Flowcharts for situations with multiple options
«How should a team behave if it comes across a person whilst on a reconnaissance assignment?» There is no simple answer to this question, as it depends on the circumstances. The new flowchart in the leaflet «Safety, Reconnaissance, Firefighting» provides recommendations for three typical situations. A distinction is made between whether the person is found inside or outside a vehicle, and between the distance to a safe area.
Further improvements to the rescue flowchart
For «Search and Rescue», the leaflet of the same name provides a flowchart that illustrates the options available in various situations. The framework provides systematic guidance for decision-making and has been further optimised for the 3rd edition of the leaflet. The decision points are clearly marked by the red diamonds.
New diagram showing how to position marking lights
We have created a new diagram for the 3rd edition. It explains the system we use in our training to position the marking lights. The diagram illustrates how a search and rescue team can clearly indicate their search progress to other firefighters using marker lights. In the same diagram, we show how a vehicle is marked with the people who were spotted whilst reconnoitring.
The Procedure stays unchanged
Just as with our training courses, the content of the teachings in our leaflets has remained virtually unchanged for years. However, we continually adapt the experiences we draw upon, our teaching methods, and the wording and presentation of key information in our educational posters and leaflets whenever this lets us simplify matters or present them more clearly. The previous editions therefore remain accurate in terms of content and can still be used. However, the new edition stands out thanks to its optimised and expanded diagrams.
Digital version in the «Knowledge» section
We continue to offer the latest editions of all our leaflets in the «Knowledge» sectionfor fire service training as PDF files available to download free of charge. The files can, for example, be incorporated into presentations for training purposes.
The leaflets are included in printed form in our textbooks. They can also be ordered separately as a bundle for training. Each bundle includes 25 copies of the relevant leaflet.
Reminders for practising on site
The leaflets, each consisting of nine pages, are designed to serve as reminders. They are made to help you quickly recall what you have learnt in our courses. The information sheets also provide safety by enabling crews, for example, to check whether they are fully equipped or to understand how hose management works in the tunnel.
