Tunnel fire training from IFOPSE

Published: 01 September, 2006

IFOPSE (Prevention and Safety Training Institute) has developed innovative tools and programmes dedicated to improved fire training. “Since 1983, we have been providing intervention teams from all sectors of activity with fire training in our own training centres. We also design training facilities for other organisations,” Roland Coulombel of IFOPSE Export tells IFJ.

“Our training centres and vehicles have all been designed and built by our Research and Development department in collaboration with our customers from a number of industries: nuclear, chemical, aviation, services, automotive, navy, fire brigades, etc.
“A good example of our design work, is the Tunnel Intervention Techniques Training Centre which was built in 2002 by the S.F.T.R.F. (The French Company of the Frejus Road Tunnel) and IFOPSE, which were asked to study the project, design the building, provide it with the latest technology, and train S.F.T.R.F. staff to operate the school.”
A 600m training ground now means that instructors can recreate various fire scenarios which occur in tunnels and train intervention staff to react quickly and appropriately to operate in hot and smoky environments, to use thermal cameras, to build-up team work and to generally organise rescue operations.
As well as classrooms, modern communication tools and changing rooms, the centre comprises two training areas: the first one has an exercise course for the trainee to get used to Breathing Apparatus. This course can be modified in terms of obstacles and distance. The second area is called ‘fire tunnel’; this recreates a real tunnel where trainees carry out various firefighting exercises: hydrocarbon spill, car, truck fires, rollovers, and also evacuation exercises and rescue operations.
“Among the courses that we provide are special ones for tunnel fire fighters. All our training programmes are set up by IFOPSE, and then submitted to our customers and discussed by them before the course begins in order to make sure that the training session delivers exactly what is required. We also provide onsite fire training in our vehicles or with fire simulators which we can install in companies’ premises.” For further information about IFOPSE services, e-mail to info@ifopse.com, or Tel: on 0033 2 99 90 65 00.

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