Firefighters entering underground electricity and fuel tunnels can breathe easier thanks to a €60,000 investment in specialised equipment. 

Enemalta and Enemed have joined forces to provide the Civil Protection Department with apparatus allowing firefighters to safely enter confined spaces during fire emergencies and remain there for longer periods of time. 

Aside from the long duration breathing apparatus, four CPD firefighters will also be travelling to Italy for intensive training in using the equipment, as part of a €60,000 investment. 

Enemalta uses 30km of tunnels which contain hundreds of kilometres of high-voltage cables that distribute electricity from the Malta-Italy interconnector to main electricity nodes across the country.  

Enemed uses its own tunnels to transfer imported fuel from the Grand Harbour and Marsaxlokk Harbour to its fuel storage facilities, some of which are also underground. 

A cable on fire during last year's interconnector incident.

Almost exactly one year ago, much of Malta was left without power after a fire broke out some 600 metres inside the interconnector tunnel. A number of high voltage cables, including one of the 132 kV cables linking the Magħtab Interconnector to the national electricity grid, were damaged in the incident. 

Aside from long duration breathing equipment, the two companies and the CPD have worked together to install early fire detection and surveillance systems and developed rigorous procedures for employees entering confined spaces. 

Four CPD rescuers will be sent to Italy for specialised training. Photo: Enemalta