Fjallabyggð Fire Department struggles with tunnel safety, urges funding for upgrades in Iceland

The Fjallabyggð Fire Department is reportedly ill-equipped to handle incidents in tunnels, as evidenced by a training exercise last year where they were only able to penetrate 200 meters into the Strákagöng tunnels, which are approximately 800 meters long. Fire Chief Jóhann K. Jóhannsson emphasized the urgent need to upgrade all equipment to meet current fire safety regulations, enabling more effective emergency response within the tunnels.

There are three tunnels in the jurisdiction, including the Héðinsfjarðargöng, which is the longest in Iceland at about 11 kilometers. Concerns over the fire department’s readiness have persisted for some time, particularly regarding who would cover the costs of necessary upgrades. In June, the Ministry of Infrastructure ruled that the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration is responsible for these expenses. The matter was presented to the Environment and Transport Committee of Parliament recently.

Current assessments rate the Fjallabyggð Fire Department’s readiness at risk level 4, while the tunnels themselves are assessed at level 5, indicating a significant risk. Furthermore, existing laws stipulate that the tunnel owner—in this case, the Road and Coastal Administration—must fund the acquisition of appropriate equipment. The Fire Chief also noted recent incidents, such as a car fire in the Hvalfjarðargöng tunnels, underscoring the urgent need for these safety improvements.

To address the potential hazards that may arise, an increase in funding from the Road and Coastal Administration is deemed necessary to cover the costs of essential upgrades.