If the Graubünden mountain village of Brienz/Brinzauls had to be evacuated for safety reasons, the Albula Volunteer Fire Brigade and First Responders would take on important tasks. Fire Commander Roland Farrér relies on a well-trained team, as he says in an interview.
The municipality and the canton have published a plan for the evacuation of the Brienz/Brinzauls and Vazerol factions and for parts of Tiefencastel and Surava. It hasn't been talked about in a long time. Is the concept still up to date?
Yes The households that would be affected by a possible evacuation have received brochures explaining the evacuation. These are still up to date. If someone doesn't have the brochure or doesn't have it anymore, they can download it from the municipality's website or pick it up from the municipal administration.
Behind the scenes, the concept is constantly being reviewed and is also incorporated into our exercises. This allows us to prepare for an evacuation, yet we all hope that we never have to experience this emergency.
What are the tasks of the fire department during an evacuation?
If evacuation is necessary, we cordon off the entire area and alert the population. To do this, we drive with sirens and loudspeakers on defined routes through the affected parts of the settlement. At the same time, we set up information points where we explain to people what they need to do if they have questions or need help. And finally, we help when someone needs help or transportation.
When would there be an evacuation?
An evacuation would be ordered as a safety measure if there is an immediate risk that a landslide or landslide could reach settlement areas. The decision on an evacuation lies with the community leadership staff. He is advised by natural hazard experts in the municipality's early warning service.
How dangerous would such an operation be?
The geologists have explained to us that a major rock slide does not happen suddenly, but is announced beforehand. In this way, we can carry out an evacuation early and clear the villages before rock masses slip or fall. An evacuation operation would therefore be no more dangerous for us and the population than our other operations.
Is such a case likely?
The probability of a major rock slide or landslide occurring is very low, even though the speed of the mountain landslide rose sharply again in spring. Nevertheless, we have prepared ourselves to be there for people should it become necessary. Of course, it would be best if we never even needed all of this in practice.
Can the fire department of a small community even handle something like this?
Neighbourhood assistance has been part of the fire brigades since they existed. In the first phase of an assignment, we would have to get along with our people. Depending on developments, we would then rely on the fire departments of neighboring communities. They are already very well informed and could assist us with the evacuation or even be available if another operation is required, for example in the event of a traffic accident or a fire.
How did you develop the evacuation plan?
First, the community leadership team played through all steps theoretically and created a detailed plan. There were experts from the Office of Military and Civil Protection, but also locals from the fire department, the police and the community. As a result, we have already been able to discuss a great many details in detail and incorporate them into the planning.
How would such an evacuation proceed from the point of view of the fire department?
Residents have received information brochures about the evacuation and are informed about the process. You will get yourself to safety along the established evacuation routes. But we also have an information post in every village and are there when someone doesn't know what to do or needs help. It is important that people remain calm. An evacuation alarm does not mean that there is immediate danger to life. But then it is time to leave the village.
Have you practiced evacuation yet?
Practicing the tasks is part of the daily life of the fire department, and it is no different even during an evacuation. First, we practiced the plans in cadre exercises with our own people and the neighboring fire departments. In this way, we ensure that everyone understands the plans and it is also a test to find out whether there are still gaps in the planning or incorrect considerations. The individual teams then practice parts of the evacuation. In this way, they get to know the tasks that they would have to take on.
Will there also be an overall exercise in which the entire population will be evacuated?
We have not planned a large-scale “one on one” exercise. That would be a huge effort and also a lot of excitement for the people and animals in the villages. It is much more important for a smooth evacuation that we have the necessary equipment, know what needs to be done and that cooperation with police, community and partner fire brigades works. You can practice all of this without burdening the population with a lot of practice.
Let's assume that the evacuation is complete and that all residents are safe. What would then be the task of the fire department?
The fire department and first responders are militia organizations; they are not designed to operate over a long period of time. After an evacuation, we would hand over our duties to other emergency services. Especially to civil defense.
Keyword “First Responder”: What is meant by this?
First Responders are volunteer first aiders who are deployed in the event of accidents and other events. They have basic medical training to help people in need until the regular emergency services arrive. In the event of major events, they can support the emergency services or the fire department.
How would they be used during an evacuation?
First Responders work at collection points in school buildings. The population goes there first after they have left their village. All people are registered so that we know whether they have also left the villages. Anyone who needs any help will be helped here. Should anyone need medical assistance, First Responders are of course trained to do so.
Fire departments and first responders are volunteer organizations. Wouldn't you have to use professionals for such a major event?
Both organizations are very well trained for their tasks. They practice regularly and do a very good job in the event of accidents and fires in everyday life. Of course, a major event such as evacuating an entire village would be a challenge, but we were involved in the planning from day one and are well prepared for it.
It all sounds like a big task that involves a lot of people. What if, in such a situation, there is an additional fire or an accident where the fire department is needed?
Then we would call up the neighboring fire departments. They would operate under an operations manager from our fire department who knows the location and buildings.
Isn't it also stressful to know those affected as a rescue team?
It's always stressful, it's true. But we also practice this in normal fire service and encounter such situations again and again. Conversely, it can also be an advantage for those affected if they know the people who are helping them.
How do your people deal with the idea that an evacuation could occur? Does the thought weigh on them?
Of course we're thinking about that. After all, the people who would be affected by an evacuation are part of our community. When using, however, you have to hide this. Then it's just a matter of helping people who are in need. For us, this is also the motivation to do the voluntary fire service.
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges?
First, I need to have enough people available to handle the mission. During such missions, there is always the question of whether you have rescued or evacuated everyone. We need to know as quickly as possible where all residents are.
And finally, everything goes much easier when people stay calm and follow our instructions. It is helpful for them to study the evacuation brochure from time to time. That way, they know what to do if it actually comes to that.
“Study the information brochure from time to time”
There is an information brochure for each evacuation of Brienz/Brinzauls, Vazerol, Surava and Tiefencastel. It explains how the evacuation works, which route residents use to get to safety and where they must register.
Each brochure is available in German, Romanian, Italian and English.
There are usually several hours to days left for evacuation. Only in the event of an immediate risk from an imminent rock fall would it have to take place immediately. However, the probability of this is very low.
The brochures can be downloaded here:
Roland Farre
The farmer from Stierva has been commander of the Albula Fire Department since 2006. Since 2019, he has been working as a fire department officer planning and carrying out an evacuation of endangered areas. What appeals to him about his job is that, in planning and exercises, he can contribute with his experience and local knowledge to ensure that the fire department is optimally prepared for an emergency that would require evacuation.
Roland Farrér (49) joined the fire department at the age of 16. He has been President of the Grisons Fire Service Association since 2012 and Vice President of the Swiss Fire Service Association since 2021. Farrér is married, father of three adult children and lives in Stierva.
This interview was conducted in 20th information bulletin from the municipality of Albula/Alvra on Brienz Rutsch published. Christian Gartmann has been Communications Officer for the Municipality of Albula/Alvra for Brienz Rutsch since 2019.