BALSTHAL, Switzerland, July 3 /PRNewswire/ --     Switzerland not only builds the longest tunnels in the world, but also
wants to offer users maximum safety: in Balsthal (SO) and Lungern (OW),
training facilities are currently being constructed in which rescue
organizations can optimally prepare for deployment in underground
transportation systems.

In order to effectively rescue people and fight fires, fire departments
must be able to access underground transportation facilities like tunnels,
garages or train stations in all conditions. Therefore, emergency response
services like fire departments, ambulances and police require comprehensive
theoretical training. In addition, the Swiss Federal Office for Roads (ASTRA)
already called for the construction of a practice tunnel for response
services in the year 2000 - a consequence of the catastrophic fires in the
Tauern and Mont Blanc tunnels.

Over 1000 Meters of Tunnels and Pathways to Practice

In the summer of 2005, ASTRA commissioned Basellandschaftliche
Gebaudeversicherung ("Basel Building Insurance") Solothurnische
Gebaudeversicherung ("Solothurnian Building Insurance"), as agencies of the
inter-cantonal fire department training center ifa, to build practice
facilities for emergency response services as well as develop a comprehensive
teaching program for application in underground transportation facilities in
partnership with the Gasser Felstechnik AG, in the Balsthal (Solothun Canton)
and Lungern (Obwalden Canton) sites.

A fire tunnel is currently being constructed in the Brunig mountain in
Lungern. In Balsthal, construction has begun on a combined road and rail
tunnel with an integrated training garage. Both sites will offer a labyrinth
of more than 1000 meters, in which all conceivable operations in all types of
underground transportation facilities may be practiced: from fires in
garages, accidents involving hazardous materials in street tunnels,
derailments in rail tunnels, to explosions in underground train stations and
shopping passages.

To simulate fires, the ifa relies on environmentally friendly gas-fire
technology. The steel of the mock passenger cars, trucks, travel busses and
rails cars is heated, and the temperature in the training area rises to 400
degrees Celsius. Although the flames are real, non-poisonous training smoke
is used to fill the space. This way, the health risks for users, as well as
environmental consequences, are reduced to a minimum. The heat, smoke and
degree of difficulty can be precisely controlled, so that the trainees are
adequately challenged, but not overwhelmed.

A Competence Center in The Middle of Europe

The test operations are to begin in Lungern in 2008, and in Balsthal in
2009. During the first two years, the main goal of the ifa is to train the
fire departments responsible for the Swiss highway and rail tunnels, and to
be available for the ambulance, police and other emergency response services.
In the medium term, the ifa expects to welcome fire departments from all over
Europe.

The training facilities in Balsthal and Lungern will cost about 35
million Swiss Francs and will be financed by the Federation. Infrastructure
such as wardrobes, respiratory protection stations, canteens and
accommodations will be made available in Balsthal by ifa, and in Lungern by
Gasser Felstechnik AG.

Contact:
    ifa tunnel
    Director Urs Kummer
    Klus Industrial Park
    4710 Balsthal/Switzerland
    Tel: +41-62-386-77-04
    Fax: +41-62-386-77-01
    contact@ifa-tunnel.ch
    www.ifa-tunnel.ch