Firefighters and rescuers trained at the New Theatre in Plzeň

Pilsen - The largest firefighters' exercise of this year has been completed in Pilsen, with the intervention being trained this morning in the building of the New Theater. According to the exercise scenario, there was a simulated explosion of pyrotechnics, and about thirty actors subsequently pretended to be injured, while around 400 people were evacuated. The exercise lasted about two hours and involved 35 firefighters, over 20 medical staff, and 35 police officers. The aim was to check the functionality of security elements in the building, the procedures of the responding units, identify deficiencies, and similar objectives.
     "From the perspective of firefighters, these interventions are among the riskiest due to the capacity of the building. Upon arrival, we have to work with a large mass of people, which can complicate the intervention," said Robert Kučera, commander of the fire station.
     The scenario of the exercise, which began at 10:00, was such that after the morning program for elementary and high school students in the theater, theatrical pyrotechnics "exploded," causing the scenery to catch fire and debris injuring actors and audience members in the front rows of the auditorium. The simulated fire, which spread to the roof, was detected by the alarm system, and units were called, triggering the theater’s safety devices. "The fire curtain was activated, positive pressure ventilation was initiated, and evacuation exits were opened," stated fire service spokesperson Pavla Jakoubková. Five fire engines, aerial equipment, a special Cobra high-pressure firefighting device, and a bus were dispatched to the scene.
     According to Kučera, firefighters are legally obligated to conduct such exercises, with several being held throughout the year. This was the first exercise conducted in the New Theater, which opened in September. "The building is equipped with the most modern fire-technical means, which facilitate the intervention. For example, the positive pressure ventilation," he added. The ventilation system removes combustion products, preventing smoke intoxication for people who have not yet managed to escape from the halls and other areas. Fire-separating flaps and fire-separating closures are also built into the structural design of the theater, so if there is a fire in one part of the building, the elements activate to protect the remaining part. Injured individuals can then wait in the protected areas.
     "It is too early for a preliminary assessment, but as of now, no significant deficiencies have appeared that would hinder rescue operations during a theater performance in this building," said Pavel Musil, head of the exercise, to ČTK on behalf of the firefighters. According to him, the fire safety elements worked as they should.
     However, paramedics indicated that some deficiencies were noted; for example, they had to transport the injured over stretched hoses. "We will address that to make it better," stated Václav Ondra, spokesperson for the regional ambulance service. The exercise also evaluated the so-called trauma plan of the University Hospital in Pilsen and the ambulance service.
     Today's event was likened by the firefighters to a real intervention from last March when part of the ceiling structure collapsed in the Plaza shopping center.