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Developed and maintained
by the NFCC

Control measure

Intervention plan: Below ground structures

Control measure knowledge

Confirmation should be sought from the responsible person on the status of the evacuation strategy and operation of systems in use to protect members of the public, staff and emergency responders, for example:

  • Fixed installations
  • Ventilation systems
  • Pressurised escape area or intervention shafts
  • Vehicle control systems, for example, road traffic lights set to red at either end of the tunnel
  • Current status of high-voltage electricity
  • Use of any on-site rescue or recovery teams
  • Suitability of equipment to function in a tunnel or below ground environment
  • Available communication systems

A risk assessment should be carried to consider the use of available intervention options before implementing any that are appropriate into the tactical plan.

Strategic actions

Fire and rescue services should:
  • Develop pre-planned intervention strategies for below ground environments identified as risk within the service area

Tactical actions

Incident commanders should:
  • Confirm the status of protection systems for below ground structures

  • Co-ordinate the evacuation, ventilation, fixed installation and intervention strategies simultaneously