Vienna (OTS/RK) – Smaller fires broke out in several places in the Obere Lobau – that was the assumption of a joint exercise by the Vienna fire brigade and the Lower Austrian fire brigade association on Friday.
The fires were to be fought from the ground as well as from helicopters in the air. Approximately 150 emergency services from Vienna’s professional fire brigade, the disaster relief service of the Vienna State Fire Brigade Association, the Lower Austrian State Fire Brigade Association, the Austrian Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior took part in the exercise with numerous emergency vehicles and a total of 7 helicopters. The aim was to practice the interaction of several operational organizations.
Firefighting from the ground was carried out, among other things, with large tank fire engines and off-road fire engines. The supply of extinguishing water also had to be established over greater distances.
For firefighting from the air, special extinguishing water tanks were set up at several locations, from which the helicopters took the extinguishing water. Forces from the flight service, a special service of the Vienna fire brigade, the disaster relief service and the Lower Austrian fire brigade association were deployed to fill and instruct the helicopter pilots. They are responsible for smooth firefighting from the air in consultation with the helicopter pilots.
“The dramatic forest fire more than a year ago in Vienna’s spring protection forests on the Schneeberg showed us how quickly it can happen and how quickly such a fire spreads. It is now all the more important to be well prepared to protect Vienna’s forests,” emphasized Vienna’s Climate Councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky, who was able to get an idea of the course of the exercise on site. “Because Vienna’s forests are very important for the city’s climate and as a recreational area – as is the Donauen National Park!”
“An extensive forest and vegetation fire – as was practiced here – represents a major challenge for the emergency services and requires the coordinated and courageous intervention of numerous organizations. This joint approach was practiced in this exercise under conditions that were as realistic as possible. Everything that was required in terms of emergency services and equipment was deployed in order to be able to react optimally to real events. I would like to thank everyone involved for their great commitment, which made it possible to achieve this extremely satisfactory exercise success” – sums up Rainer Haslinger, operations manager of the Vienna fire brigade.
The exercises took place away from the hiking trails and special care was taken not to damage the flora and fauna in the Lobau.
Questions & contact:
Ing. Jürgen Figerl, fire commissioner
Press and Information Officer
Magistrate of the City of Vienna
MA 68 – fire brigade and civil protection
+43 (1) 53199-0
+43 (0) 676 811 868 122
press office@ma68.wien.gv.at
