On October 30th, Monaco’s firefighters carried out a large-scale training operation at the urban planning department’s mechanical workshops, simulating a garage fire with two injured victims to rescue…
The exercise, held as part of the Fire Brigade’s regular operational training, is one of around 50 drills conducted each year across the Principality to ensure preparedness for every possible emergency scenario.
Each week, Monaco’s firefighters collaborate with public departments and private companies to stage realistic simulations. This session focused on testing both technical reflexes and coordination with staff from the Direction de l’Aménagement Urbain (DAU), who also practised their internal emergency procedures. Using smoke generators, flashing lights, and realistic sound effects, the exercise recreated the urgency and unpredictability of a real-life incident.
Commanders emphasised the importance of variety in training, from high-rise fires to tunnel rescues, to give each firefighter broad operational experience. During the session, a malfunction in the garage’s ventilation system added an unexpected challenge, forcing the teams to adapt in real time.
Despite the obstacle, the firefighters successfully completed the operation, rescuing the mock victims and extinguishing the simulated blaze. Such exercises, they say, are vital in refining both teamwork and crisis management skills, ensuring Monaco’s emergency services remain among the most efficient and responsive in Europe.
