"Fire" in CTE tunnel, LTA & SCDF test readiness

SINGAPORE: A chain collision involving three vehicles in a Central Expressway (CTE) tunnel during the evening peak hours caused toxic chemicals to spill, set a car on fire and resulted in many casualties — this was a scenario of an emergency exercise on Sunday morning.

It was conducted by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to test their readiness in managing a fire situation in the CTE tunnel.

About 200 officers took part in the joint exercise, which is carried out in road tunnels at least once a year.

The last CTE tunnel exercise was held in June 2009.

Whenever there’s fire in the road tunnels, emergency services such as the SCDF, Police and LTA Traffic Marshals, as well as Expressway Monitoring Advisory System (EMAS) crews will be activated.

They’ll manage the fire, help motorists get out of the tunnel and divert traffic.

The operators at the LTA Operations Control Centre will activate the ventilation system to push the smoke downstream out of the tunnel and raise the lighting of the tunnel to the maximum level of brightness.

They’ll also announce the closure of the tunnel and advise motorists to avoid the area through channels such as radio break—in, LTA traffic news, Twitter and EMAS signs.

Motorists who’re affected can call 995 for assistance from the SCDF.

They can also tune in to the local radio channels for the LTA emergency announcements and instructions.

The LTA & SCDF said motorists should not continue driving or reverse their vehicle if red crosses are lit on the overhead signs.

They should stay calm, turn off their vehicle engine and use the nearest escape staircase to get out of the tunnel.

— CNA/ck