Swiss rail firefighters mark 20 years with emergency drill

Firefighters from Swiss Federal Railways (CFF) offered a glimpse into their demanding daily work and celebrated the 20th anniversary of their professionalization. The event, held at the Olten fire station in Solothurn, featured a large-scale exercise simulating a train emergency.

During the drill, a red intervention car arrived swiftly at the scene of a fictional S-Bahn wagon derailment. The scenario involved a wagon that had left the tracks and was leaning precariously. Responders, clad in high-visibility yellow helmets and reflective suits, quickly assessed the situation, developing a plan to manage the simulated crisis.

The demonstration included the deployment of various equipment, such as a fire hose connected to a 400-liter water tank, grounding devices to de-energize the overhead power line, an evacuation bridge, ventilation systems, breathing apparatus, and ladders. This comprehensive display highlighted the CFF firefighters' readiness and capability to handle diverse and complex incidents on the railway network. The 340-strong team operates across 15 sites in Switzerland, with a central command in Bern.