At CERN, the Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) are our safety frontline: first responders in emergencies and trusted guides in both real evacuations and drills. On 26 September 2025, roles were reversed as the firefighters themselves were tested in a large-scale evacuation exercise.

This novel drill formed part of CERN’s wider safety objectives, focused on increasing emergency preparedness before Long Shutdown 3 (LS3). When the departments and large experiments were invited to propose buildings for inclusion in evacuation exercises, the fire station itself was suggested and the idea was met with enthusiasm.

The premise of the exercise was simple: how would the CFRS react when an incident struck their own base?  “The CFRS is a crucial part of CERN’s safety organisation. Practising how to cope with emergencies in their own premises is therefore of high importance,” explained Gunnar Lindell, Departmental Safety Officer for HSE.

Kept secret from most participants, the scenario involved simulated smoke in the upstairs kitchen. During the drill, firefighters had to perform tasks they usually supervise rather than execute themselves, such as sounding the alarm and proceeding to the assembly point. The Safety Control Room (SCR) was evacuated in under two minutes, and operational again within ten, with functions transferred to the CERN Control Centre in Prévessin. During the transition, calls were seamlessly taken over the phone, ensuring continuity of operations throughout.

The result was a valuable set of lessons learned about the CFRS’s own safety and resilience. “We’re used to giving instructions and guiding others out of buildings. This time, we had to follow the same steps ourselves, and it made us realise just how important clear procedures and training really are,” said drill coordinator Adrian Pedrosa, CFRS Territorial Safety Officer (TSO).

Fire Officer Sara Hansen, co-organiser of the drill, was impressed with the reactivity of the participants and the outcome of the exercise. She noted: “This complex evacuation has taken months to prepare and has stimulated deep reflection when it comes to the CFRS’s own safety and prevention work.” For the three teams not on shift that day, a scheduled tabletop exercise will ensure the entire CFRS benefits from this drill and contributes to lessons learned.

Are you prepared for an emergency in your building? Make sure you know your escape routes and assembly points. The CERN Roles page can also help you find out which TSOs and emergency guides are there to help you in such a situation. Stay safe!