- Collaborative efforts in combating fire hazards within the Ore Mountains' rail tunnels
The municipalities situated near the proposed railway tunnel in the Ore Mountains on the expansion section Dresden-Prague are getting aid from the Interior Ministry for fire safety. To accomplish this, Interior Minister Armin Schuster (CDU) penned a collusion agreement with the mayors of Pirna, Heidenau, Altenberg, Dohna, Bad Gottleuba-Berggießhübel, Bahretal, and Dohma.
This expansion endeavor is viewed as a major transport venture globally on the rails. Its objective is to minimize the travel time between Dresden and Prague to an hour once upon a time, despite passengers having to endure at least two decades before this: The DB is presently intending the construction commencement in 2032, with a construction period of roughly twelve years. A tunnel approximately 30 kilometers long is planned between Heidenau on the German side and Ústí nad Labem on the Czech side.
Assistance for proactive and protective fire safety
"Fire safety – both structurally and operationally – is a vital aspect of the construction project," Schuster stated, as reported. The Interior Ministry will provide advice, support, and represent the municipalities in terms of preventive and protective fire safety for the tunnel construction project.
A task force from the ministry has already engaged in the discussion forums of the Deutsche Bahn and maintains contact with colleagues in Thuringia and Austria involved in equivalent projects. Future areas of focus will be the negotiations on fire safety standards for the tunnel and on deployment protocols for the cross-border fire departments.
The mayors of the aforementioned municipalities expressed their gratitude to the Ministry of the Interior for their assistance. The collaboration with the Ministry will significantly enhance the safety measures during the construction of the railway tunnel.
In light of the extensive project, the Ministry of the Interior is also responsible for ensuring the implementation of cross-border fire safety protocols between Germany and the Czech Republic.
