The final meeting of the EU project HyResponse (Hydrogen Safety and Emergency Response Training for First Responders) was held on September 15, 2016 in Aix-en-Provence, France. The city is the site of the national French school for fire service officers (ENSOSP), which was one of the project partners.
During the project the partners developed procedures and advice for first responders (which are mainly fire service men) what to do and what not to do in case of a fire or another emergency concerning hydrogen cars, buses, filling stations, or other installations.
The practical aspect of the matter played in important role. On the ENSOSP ground a new training facility was built which makes it possible to simulate various common emergency situations involving hydrogen and other gaseous fuels, in particular LPG and natural gas. Firemen can try to cope with torch flames, car fires, filling station emergencies, and tank fires.
Various training courses for firemen from different countries of Europe and other parts of the world were already held during the project, which will end on September 30, 2016. But the training facility in Aix-en-Provence will still be there and can be used in the future as well.