RESPONSE Behind the Scenes: Rescue operations in tunnels
At the end of November 2025, a series of specialised training sessions took place in Niš, Republic of Serbia, bringing together Bulgarian and Serbian firefighters around a shared goal – improving preparedness for tunnel operations.
Being caught in a tunnel during a fire is one of the most dangerous situations a person can face. A tunnel, which under normal conditions is just part of the road, can in seconds turn into a confined space where time seems to move differently. Smoke comes first – it fills the air, reduces visibility and creates a sense of complete disorientation. In many cases, it is the smoke that poses a greater danger than the flames themselves.
In such an environment, people struggle to find the way out. Light fades, directions are lost, and tension rises with every second. Temperatures increase rapidly, especially if a car or a heavy vehicle is on fire. Space is limited, movement is restricted, and panic can make the situation even worse.
This is why fires in tunnels are considered among the most complex rescue operations. For the teams that enter first, it means working in smoke, high temperatures and limited visibility, while having to quickly reach those affected and bring the fire under control. In such moments, courage and good equipment alone are not enough. What is needed is thorough preparation, coordination and the ability to react under pressure.
It is precisely for such real-life situations that the joint trainings under the RESPONSE project are organised. Because in a tunnel incident, every second matters, and safety begins long before the emergency itself – with the preparation of those who will be the first to respond.
The first training, held from 24 to 26 November, was aimed at firefighters and professionals working in emergency management. The programme covered safety systems in road tunnels in Serbia, European regulations and protective measures, the organisation of tunnel control centres, early incident detection and communication between operators and emergency services.
Particular attention was given to the analysis of real incidents – a fire in the Šarani tunnel and a road accident involving a fire in the Brančić tunnel, as well as similar cases from EU countries. Participants not only examined what had happened and how the services had responded, but also drew concrete lessons for the future.
The third day was dedicated to preparing for the upcoming field exercise – a natural link between theory and practice.
At the same time, from 25 to 29 November, a second, more specialised training was held, aimed at firefighter trainers in tunnel operations. This group carried out an in-depth review of the same real cases, then focused on specific emergency response procedures in tunnel environments and the development of the scenario for the upcoming exercise.
On 26 November, participants also carried out a field visit to the Predejane tunnel and its operational centre. This ensured that the exercise scenario was built on a real setting rather than abstract assumptions.
On 27 November, practice took centre stage. After three and a half hours of operational preparation, firefighters conducted a large-scale tactical exercise in the Predejane tunnel on the A-1/E-75 motorway, simulating a road accident and fire under real tunnel conditions.
Teams used specialised equipment to free trapped individuals and evacuate them safely from the tunnel. At the same time, their colleagues contained and extinguished the fire using Serbia’s first specialised fire engine for tunnel operations – one of 12 new firefighting vehicles worth €2.5 million, purchased with the support of the European Union under the RESPONSE project.
The vehicles were officially presented the same day in front of the Emergency Management Department in Niš. All units have already been registered and deployed to operational teams.
The training did not end with the exercise. On 28 and 29 November, the group of firefighter trainers returned to analyse in detail what had worked, what mistakes had been made, and what challenges they had encountered.
The result is practical and directly applicable – developed procedures for emergency response in tunnels that will serve as a basis for future trainings and real-life operations.
The entire series of events in Niš – from theoretical sessions to the field exercise and the follow-up analysis – highlights an important point. Sustainable safety is not created by equipment alone, but above all by well-trained people, clear procedures and a culture of continuous learning.
And when those people work together across the border, preparedness becomes truly shared.
