Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): A simulated tunnel pile-up involving 20 vehicles tested emergency response. Led by Walter Derieuw, 22 firefighters used 15 dummies. The exercise lasted 2 hours, with Brussels Mobility observing.
The exercise involved a major traffic accident, specifically a pile-up with around 20 vehicles in a tunnel. This pile-up took place near the Basilica, just before the exit. Walter Derieuw, the fire department spokesman, explained that the scenario was created to test emergency response procedures in a difficult setting.
What challenges did the Brussels fire brigade face in the 20-vehicle tunnel accident simulation?
In this exercise, around 15 dummies were used to represent victims trapped in vehicles, adding realism for the rescuers. The drill started at 12:30 AM and highlighted the challenges of rescue operations in a closed tunnel, where space is limited, ventilation is poor, and there are hazards like smoke or debris. The aim was to improve how firefighters and emergency services work together in real-life situations like this.
For the exercise, the fire department used two fire trucks, a command vehicle, a signaling vehicle, a rescue vehicle, and an ambulance. There were 22 firefighters taking part, and an exercise director was there to watch. Some observers from Brussels Mobility also came to see how things went. The exercise involved only the fire brigade, and even though the police were informed and had a patrol nearby, they didn’t join in. The main goal was to see how well the fire brigade could respond in this situation.
After about 2 hours, the exercise finished with a meeting to talk about what happened, and then they cleaned the road. The fire department said it was a success and showed how well they can respond to big accidents in a tunnel while working with Brussels Mobility. For Brussels Mobility, it was a chance to check their emergency plans, safety systems in the tunnel, and how they talk to emergency services.
