The International Fire Academy in Balsthal (CH) specialises in the development of tactics, techniques, procedures and incident training for operating in underground transportation systems. It is considered the leading centre of excellence for its work on tunnel fires. In cooperation with fire services from Switzerland and Europe, the International Fire Academy has developed and published (“Firefighting Operations in Road Tunnels”, ISBN 978-3-942385-04-6) a specialised tunnel operation procedure which is internationally accepted.
Each year, more than 3000 firefighters are trained under “real” conditions at the tactical centre and tunnel training facilities in Balsthal and Lungern, learning how to approach incidents in road and rail tunnels. The courses in the most comprehensive tunnel training facility in the world are held in German, English, French and Italian. Training with simultaneous interpretation is also possible.
At the Intersec, the International Fire Academy will introduce visitors to its training centre for operations in underground transportation systems, underground service areas and underground shopping malls. An additional focus of the exhibition appearance is experience exchange and expansion of the network of experts.
As a centre of excellence the International Fire Academy maintains an international network of fire services and experts for fire incidents in underground transportation systems. Exchange of developments and incidents belong to the daily life of the instructors and members of the didactic and development team. This creates an expertise, which is appreciated by those responsible for big tunnel projects who contact the International Fire Academy with their questions.
