D.C. Chief Outlines Metro Train Crash Response
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Within minutes of dispatch to the Metro train collision Monday evening, a mass casualty event was declared and resources throughout the metro region were alerted.
"Everything started when the first officer on the scene gave his report, saying he had one Metro train on top of another," said Washington, D.C. Fire/EMS Chief Dennis Rubin.
"It was clear in my mind as well as everyone else's right away that this was a major incident, and we would need assistance," he said.
What amounted to second and third-alarm assignments were struck to bring additional ambulances to the scene. In addition, four mass casualty incident task forces were requested along with Hazmat crews.
At least four MCI vehicles capable of transporting multiple patients responded into the city.
"At the height, we had 250-300 personnel from throughout the region here," the chief said Tuesday afternoon.
Mutual aid came from Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland as well as Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax counties in Virginia.
The toll as of Tuesday afternoon included nine dead and 76 injured.
Within a half hour of the 5:02 p.m. crash, the fire department operations center was up and running. Officers took their assigned positions, and started working on a variety of issues including logistics.
In addition to personnel and equipment, they also had to obtain things necessary to support a long-term incident such as food, water and portable toilets.
"We had just finished a lengthy staff meeting, and then we got the call," the chief said, adding that officers knew their roles. Deputy Chief of Operations Larry Shultz assumed command just as he did when the center was open during the Inauguration.
In addition to getting personnel with equipment to the wreck, it was essential to make sure crews were en route to fill the empty stations. There are about 450 calls daily in the nation's capital.
"We made sure that our citizens as well as our visitors were taken care of while people were at the wreck. I'm proud that we were able to step up to the plate," Rubin said. He added that the men and women jumped right in to handle their tasks whether it was searching the wrecked train cars, consoling passengers or family members, treating the injured, assisting at the hospital emergency rooms or handling logistics.
In addition to medical units from nearby jurisdictions, some commercial ambulance companies also responded to the call for assistance. "When you call for 40-50 ambulances, they come from many places. The resources and cooperation we received were great."
While the search of the twisted debris was underway and the injured passengers were being triaged, treated and transported, things were happening in other areas of the city. They ranged from medical calls to a double shooting, a stabbing and a building fire. "There was a non-stop diet."
The fire department command vehicle also was deployed, and incident command was established early on. Personnel were held over, and off-duty crews were called back.
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries but were released after treatment at a local hospital.
Rubin said he also realized that the crews were more than physically spent. The carnage was taking a toll on them mentally.
"The IAFF really stepped up to help in that respect," he said. "We're working closely with Ray Sneed, the local IAFF president as well as IAFF President Harold Schaitberger. They've been helpful with getting that going."
CISM counselors were available Monday night, and continue to offer their assistance. "They've been great."
As the incident approached the 24-hour mark Tuesday, Rubin praised the tenacity of the crews. They were faced with a myriad of tasks, some very difficult to see, but they performed as they were trained.
