Rhine River in Dusseldorf serves as training ground for skilled free divers defying gravity
The Rhine Carnival in Düsseldorf, a vibrant celebration attracting thousands of visitors, requires meticulous planning and preparation from the local fire department. This year, the fire department has integrated a unique training exercise involving the world's tallest mobile skylift, the LOOK-360°, produced by Mercedes.
During the training session on 10.7, firefighters practiced rescue operations from elevated or hard-to-reach places, simulating potential incidents that may occur during the carnival. The LOOK-360°, with its 40-meter reach, was instrumental in these exercises, allowing firefighters to simulate evacuations and firefighting operations from great heights.
In one instance, some passengers were rescued via the rescue basket of the ladder truck, while later in the exercise, firefighters abseiled with a passenger each. The exercises concluded safely, demonstrating the effectiveness of the collaboration between the Rhine Carnival's fire department and the works fire brigade of Mercedes.
The fire department will remain on site until 20 July, with approximately 200 deployment forces daily. During the drone shows and closing fireworks on 12 and 18 July, additional forces will be present, some on the left bank of the Rhine and on the water with rescue boats.
To ensure a swift response in case of an emergency, a fire department detour has been established around the entire event area. This measure aims to prevent rescue forces from having to navigate through crowds, a potential hindrance during critical situations.
Moreover, all rides, carnival operations, and beer tents at the Rhine Carnival have clear identification with a street name, house number, and are located at a height of two meters on the right side for easy orientation. This system allows deployment forces to determine the fastest route to the scene of an incident when a call is received.
In case of an emergency during the Rhine Carnival, the emergency call can be made via the European-wide emergency number 112. A mobile command post has been set up by the fire department, police, and paramedics for the duration of the event, ensuring effective coordination and response.
With these preparations and training exercises, the Rhine Carnival's fire department is well-equipped to handle any emergencies that may arise during the festivities, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees.
Firefighters utilized the LOOK-360° during training exercises to practice rescue operations from elevated locations, incorporating sports-like agility in abseiling and using the rescue basket of the ladder truck. The Rhine Carnival's fire department, in collaboration with the works fire brigade of Mercedes, will ensure a swift and safe response to any emergencies during the festivities, emphasizing the importance of sporty preparedness for potential incidents.
