Phuket City Hall Holds Major Fire Drill with Evacuation and Rescue Exercises

Phuket City Municipality conducted a large-scale fire drill at Phuket City Hall on August 20, combining an evacuation exercise with practical training in firefighting, rescue operations and emergency response.

The drill began at around 2pm at Phuket City Hall on Surin Road. Municipal employees, firefighters, rescue workers, civil defence volunteers, traffic volunteers and representatives from other city services took part in the exercise.

According to the scenario, a fire broke out inside the municipal building. Employees were required to raise the alarm and evacuate staff and visitors in an orderly manner to a designated assembly point. Fire and rescue teams then arrived to carry out the emergency response.

Photos released by the municipality showed parts of the building filled with artificial smoke to recreate conditions similar to an actual fire. People were evacuated through the main exits while rescue teams simultaneously practised locating and removing simulated casualties.

The exercise also included a high-level rescue operation. Participants practised evacuating a person from an upper floor using a rope-based system, allowing emergency teams to rehearse procedures for situations in which conventional exits may be inaccessible.

Another part of the training focused on dealing with open flames. Participants were shown how to respond when a fire starts and how to attempt initial suppression before the main firefighting units arrive. The practical exercises included a burning gas cylinder and other simulated fire sources.

Phuket Town Mayor Supachok La-Ongphet said exercises of this kind are essential for reducing the potential loss of life and property damage during an actual fire.

He explained that the drills are not intended solely to test firefighters and rescue personnel. They are also designed to ensure that ordinary municipal employees understand what to do when an emergency occurs, including whom to notify, how to evacuate people safely and where to gather once they have left the building.