Fire and Rescue Service operational guidance - incidents in tunnels and underground structures

Book excerpt: This publication presents a framework for a safe system of work for operations at incidents involving tunnels and underground structures. It provides a robust yet flexible insight that can be adapted to the nature, scale and requirements of the incident. Incidents involving tunnels and underground structures may place significant demands on local fire and rescue services and have often required a national co-ordinated response from across the country. This type of incident may generate intense media attention where the operations of the emergency services are rigorously scrutinised. Whilst much of this attention is approving it will invariably focus on the preparedness of the emergency services and their operational effectiveness.