30 firefighters conduct fire rescue, CBRN exercise in Sibiu, Romania

Approximately 30 firefighters from the Romanian Inspectorate for Emergency Situations in the central city of Sibiu conducted a fire rescue exercise involving CBRN elements on Thursday 19 February.

According to the local media outlet Sibiu 100, the exercise simulated several difficult scenarios surrounding a fire on the fifth floor of a seven-story building.

Firefighters had to deal with people trapped on upper floors and taking refuge on the terrace, manage the presence of flammable materials, conduct CBRN readings for potential chemical exposure and attend to a victim in cardiorespiratory arrest who required intubation and mechanical ventilation.

Evacuations were carried out by ladder truck and rope descents and the mission was further complicated by the identification of a projectile on the stairwell, it was reported.

"In reality, every second counts!"

Approximately 30 firefighters took part in the exercise, supported by mountain rescuers and medical personnel specialising in resuscitation and extrication. Firefighting and extrication vehicles, CBRN and pyrotechnic crews, as well as an advanced medical simulation mannequin were used .

Andreea Ștefan, spokesperson for the Sibiu branch of the Romanian Inspectorate of Emergency Situations, said: "Such exercises are not simple simulations. They test coordination, communication, reaction speed and the ability to make decisions under pressure. In reality, every second counts! We train with difficult scenarios, so that when it's no longer an exercise, someone can return home safely."

A full gallery of photos from the exercise can be viewed here.