MBTA Safety Department Emergency Response Exercise Quincy ...

MASSACHUSETTS BAY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
PROJECT:
SAFETY DEPARTMENT
RED LINE EMERGENCY RESPONSE EXERCISE
QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS
MAY 23, 1999
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Safety Department sponsored a full
scale Emergency Response Exercise in Quincy, Massachusetts on the Red Line. The
Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) was conducted on Sunday, May 23, 1999, commencing
at approximately 9:00 A.M.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of the exercise was to evaluate the ability of local emergency responders
to manage a MCI involving a Rapid Transit train. Also, the exercise enabled the MBTA
an opportunity to assess the pre-exercise training which was provided to Quincy and
surrounding Fire, Police, and Emergency Medical Service agencies by the MBTA.
EXERCISE SITE:
The exercise site was located on the Red Line ROW between Quincy Center and
Quincy Adams Stations at the Water Street overpass.
EXERCISE PREPARATION:
Preparation for the Emergency Response Exercise began in mid March, 1999, at a
preliminary meeting with Chief Thomas Gorman, Captain Frank Sullivan, and
Lieutenant Bob Mood of the Quincy Fire Department. The Water Street site was chosen
as the most favorable after several factors were considered. The MBTA Subway
Operations Training Department conducted several days of training for Quincy and
surrounding fire departments. The training consisted of train familirization, hazard
identification, and victim extrication. Several meetings were held over a three month
period. Participating agencies were identified, a scenerio was formulated, the scope
was agreed on, and responsibilities were assigned. On Sunday, May 23, 1999, at 8:45
A.M. the simulated exercise was kicked off.