In collaboration with Zaragoza’s firefighters (Bomberos de Zaragoza), Aragon Hydrogen Foundation participates in HyResponder, a European project which will develop and implement a sustainable “train the trainer” content programme in hydrogen safety for first responders from ten European countries.
The €1m European project is funded by the main public & private European partnership, the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) under Horizon 2020. It will support the development of fuel cells and hydrogen technologies by training responders, who are involved in both the permitting process and in tackling accidents with hydrogen transport and infrastructure. The project will underpin the improvement of resilience and preparedness through enhanced emergency planning, intervention tactics and strategy, as well as ensuring appropriate accident management.
Hydrogen has been used safely in chemical industry for many years. However, given the significant benefits that new energy and mobility applications of hydrogen can bring to improving sustainability and the environment, it is important to understand how its properties differ from conventional fuels. In the event of an incident, it is often firefighters who are first on the scene. HyResponder will provide hydrogen specific safety training and European wide guidance for responders.
The HyResponder project
Coordinated by Ulster University (United Kingdom), the three-year project will develop operational and educational training (including virtual reality) in hydrogen safety for first responders, and establish a Pan-European network of responder trainers. Trainers from at least 10 different European countries will receive specific training in hydrogen safety and transmit that knowledge back to their home countries.
