Fire at Glenfell Tower How does the fire brigade in Bonn prepare for such a scenario?

Bonn · A lot of people, long corridors and no easy access: A fire like the one in Glenfell Tower, claiming at least twelve lives and injuring more than 70 people, poses an extreme challenge for the fire brigades. How do the fire brigades in Cologne prepare for such a scenario?

At least twelve people have died in the fire at a 24-storey-skyscraper called Glenfell Tower in London, and more than 70 were injured. The cause for the blaze was still not known late last night. In the past there have been skyscraper fires before.

In Beuel-Limperich, a high-rise building was on fire about two years ago. How does the fire brigade prepare for such an event? „Usually the fire brigade works according to a special high-rise building action plan“, explains Jörg Schneider of the fire brigade Bonn.

For special buildings like the Post Tower or the Lange Eugen there even is a detailed procedure with a check list concept, that all fire brigade officers have access to on their tablet computers and which they will bring with them in case of emergency. These procedures are practiced regularly. In the case of a fire in a high-rise building, procedures that are planned in advance, kick into action.

„The action force as well as people and institutions which need to be informed are all listed in the operation control system - the alarm happens automatically and within seconds. If necessary the city can call for a crisis squad meeting within minutes. For skyscrapers and high-rise buildings built after 1980 there are strict North-Rhine Westphalian construction laws.

All outer facades have to consist of fire-proof material. Buildings as high as the one in London have to have two separate safe staircases. „Buildings built before that have the right of continuance and don’t need to meet the current demands“, says the fire man.

What to do in case of a fire:

  1. Call 112.
  2. Explain what is happening, where you are, how many people are in danger.
  3. Stay calm.
  4. Let the fire brigade first responder ask you what he/she needs to know, they are professionals and can judge the situation much better than anyone else.
  5. Keep in mind that heat rises and fire needs oxygen - climbing up the stairs or opening windows can have fatal consequences - rather crawl on the floor to the safest exit.
  6. Always know where the nearest and safest exit is in a building, also in hotels or offices in high-rise buildings.

Original text: Andreas Dyck Translation: Mareike Graepel

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