- Gaining an understanding of the environment, including:
- The access, egress and evacuation strategy
- Location of pressurised escape areas or intervention shafts
- Location of and distance to water supplies
- The structural stability of the tunnel
- The type of line – single or bidirectional
- If there is an electric rail power system including overhead line equipment (OLE) or conductor rail equipment (CRE)
- Whether the rail power system is involved
Fire and rescue services may need to:
- Request or provide emergency lighting
- Establish alternative communication strategies
- Request assistance for the transportation of emergency services equipment – this could include medical equipment as well as fire and rescue service equipment
- Consider the impact of exhaust fumes from petrol driven equipment, such as pumps, generators and fans