BOLZANO. One of the largest and most complex rescue exercises in the history of South Tyrol took place this afternoon at the Alpe di Siusi cable car, with over 1,600 volunteers and more than 450 rescuers. During the exercise, a fault in the ski lift system was simulated, which caused 350 people to be stuck in the cabins and made it necessary to evacuate over 1,250 guests in theCompatsch mountain area on the Alpe di Siusi.
The head of service, Armin Tappeinerassumed the role of emergency coordinator with full authority in all areas. Together with his team he evaluated the possibility of reactivating the plant in the shortest possible time. Since it was not foreseeable, the rescue of the people stuck in the cabins and the evacuation of the guests from Compatsch by bus was started. After the alarm was activated, the rescue chain was promptly activated. 17 teams of volunteer firefighters, 7 mountain rescue stations, the mayor of the municipality of Castelrotto, the White Cross and other law enforcement agencies were immediately informed.
Everyone went to the Alpe di Siusi cable car, where they were assigned to the tasks set out in the evacuation plan. The mountain rescuers climbed the pylons and used descent devices on the haul rope to reach the cabins. Two sections of the line, with particularly long spans, were flown over by an air ambulance Help Alpine Dolomiteswho lowered a rescuer into each cabin. Once reached, the rescuers opened the cabin doors, secured the passengers and lowered them to the ground.
On the ground, volunteer firefighters provided assistance and accompanied the rescue efforts to the valley station. In total, 360 people were rescued from the cabins, including two people in wheelchairs and two dogs, lowered with a special rescue net. “Today’s exercise demonstrated that our emergency plan works effectively even on busiest days,” said Armin Tappeiner. The President of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, Arno Kompatscher and councilor responsible for civil protection, praised the high operational readiness and smooth collaboration of all participants.
How do community involvement and preparedness improve emergency response effectiveness in mountainous regions?
Time.news Interview: Crisis Management in Action at Alpe di Siusi
Editor: Good afternoon and welcome to Time.news. Today we have a very special guest, Armin Tappeiner, the head of service who coordinated one of the largest and most complex rescue exercises in South Tyrol’s history. Thank you for joining us, Armin.
Armin Tappeiner: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right into it. Your recent exercise at the Alpe di Siusi cable car involved over 1,600 volunteers and more than 450 rescuers. Can you tell us what motivated such a large-scale operation?
Armin Tappeiner: We wanted to ensure that emergency responders and volunteers are fully prepared for any real-life incidents that could arise in our mountainous region. With so many tourists visiting during the ski season, simulating a major emergency, like a malfunctioning cable car, helps us identify strengths and any possible gaps in our response systems.
Editor: That makes perfect sense. In this simulated scenario, you had 350 people stuck in the cable cars and needed to evacuate over 1,250 guests. What were the immediate steps taken to manage this crisis?
Armin Tappeiner: Once the alarm was activated, we immediately initiated our rescue protocols. As the emergency coordinator, my first step was to evaluate the situation and communicate with my team. Subsequently, we mobilized 17 teams of volunteer firefighters, 7 mountain rescue stations, and local authorities, such as the White Cross and law enforcement agencies, to enhance our response.
Editor: Coordinating so many different teams must have its challenges. What were some of the difficulties you faced during the exercise?
Armin Tappeiner: Indeed, managing coordination among various teams is a complicated task. Communication is key, especially in a mountainous environment where conditions can be rapidly changing. We had to ensure that everyone knew their roles and could work cohesively under pressure, which can be quite daunting. The exercise allowed us to test our communication systems and adjust them for improved effectiveness.
Editor: After conducting such a large-scale exercise, what did you learn, and how do you envision implementing these lessons in the future?
Armin Tappeiner: One significant takeaway was the incredible dedication of our volunteers and first responders. Their willingness to participate enthusiastically reflects the community spirit here in South Tyrol. Moving forward, we plan to refine our training for both responders and volunteers and enhance our simulations based on what we learned about our response times and communication workflows during this event.
Editor: It’s reassuring to hear about such community collaboration. With emergency protocols in place, how did the public respond to the exercise, and what can visitors to the Alpe di Siusi expect when it comes to safety measures?
Armin Tappeiner: The public response was overwhelmingly positive. Many visitors expressed gratitude for the safety precautions we take. It’s essential for visitors to know that their safety is our top priority. We continually evaluate and upgrade our safety measures, and exercises like this ensure that we remain prepared for any emergencies.
Editor: That’s a vital message to convey. As we wrap up, what advice would you give to other regions that might be looking to implement similar emergency response exercises?
Armin Tappeiner: I would advise them to involve the community from the outset, as their support is invaluable. Focus on realistic simulations and encourage feedback from all participants afterward. These exercises are not just about testing our limits, but also about building stronger relationships between emergency services and the community.
Editor: Thank you for those insightful words, Armin. The dedication shown in South Tyrol serves as a great model for readiness and community engagement. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with us today.
Armin Tappeiner: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure discussing this important topic.