10-10 Emergencies and Pursuits on the TTC Property

Question 1

What is the Rationale?

Answer 1

Due to the high voltage rails used to power Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) subway and Scarborough Rapid Transit (SRT) trains, responding to events at the track level is extremely hazardous and should be undertaken only as a last resort and only after proper precautions are in place. High voltage rails are found on the subway lines, in TTC service yards, TTC storage yards and in street car tunnels.
It is imperative that officers contact the Transit Control Centre and cut the power to the high voltage power rails prior to entering onto the track level. As an additional precaution, officers must always treat any power rail as if it were live.
Officers should be aware that both the above ground and the below ground track systems are littered with metal debris. Due to the diminished lighting in the tunnels, these items increase the risk of injury from a trip or a fall, as well as serving as weapons of opportunity for fleeing suspects.
Another hazard is the automated directional switch plates that switch the trains from one set of tracks to another. These plates are very powerful, snap open or shut very quickly, and are capable of causing severe injury or possible removal of an appendage. Extreme caution should be taken when crossing through these areas. Two or more sets are located before and after most regular stops, as well as at the storage yards and maintenance centres.

Question 2

Supervision

Answer 2

 Supervisory Officer notification and attendance is mandatory in the case of all track level events
 Divisional Officer in Charge notification is mandatory when a supervisor attends a track level event

Question 3

Procedure
As this Procedure is an extension of Procedure 10–01, members SHALL first comply with the direction contained in Procedure 10–01, and then follow the

Answer 3

additional incident–specific direction contained in this Procedure.

Question 4

TTC Special Constables -
All TTC Security officers are sworn as special constables and have the authority to lay charges, and make arrests on TTC property. This authority is limited by conditions set down in the agreement between the TTC and the Toronto Police Services Board. These limitations are summarized as follows:

Answer 4

All arrests and/or investigations involving dual procedure or indictable offences must be reported to the Toronto Police Service (Service) in the following manner:
 Where there is a police officer in attendance at the scene of the incident, special constables will apprise the police officer of the circumstances of the incident and be guided by their directions
 Where no police officer is in attendance at the scene, the special constable will contact Communications Services (COM) for notification to the appropriate division regarding events of a serious nature.
xii. Without exception, where both a police officer and a special constable are involved in an incident or investigation, etc., the police officer is the higher authority and the special constable must comply with their instructions.

Question 5

Surface Vehicles - Alarms -
All TTC vehicles are equipped with driver-activated alarms, as described below, to indicate on-board emergencies:

Answer 5

 Streetcar - stop lights flash on and off, and the horn sounds continuously
 Light Rail Vehicle - four–way lights flash on and off, and a pulsating electronic tone alarm sounds
 Bus - four–way lights flash on and off, and the horn sounds continuously
All TTC surface vehicles are equipped with a radio system, which has alarm and communication capabilities linked to the Transit Control Centre.

Question 6

TTC Subway Communications System -
The TTC Subway Radio Communications system facilitates radio contact between the Service’s Communications Services and

Answer 6

officers, while inside any TTC subway station, tunnel, substation or open cut area.

Question 7

TTC Subway Communications System - Channel access for radio communications in a subway, including the 52 Division Underground PATH, is available on

Answer 7

operational trunked channels. In the event of a trunk radio system failure, B-CONV-7 and B-CONV-8 are available as backup radio channels

Question 8

Subway and SRT - Pursuit of suspects at the subway or SRT track level is extremely hazardous and should be undertaken only when

Answer 8

absolutely necessary and only as a last resort.

Question 9

Subway and SRT - At the subway system track level, there is a high voltage power rail commonly described as the _____. At the SRT track level, there are two (2) power rails commonly described as the _____. Contact with any of these power rails is usually fatal.

Answer 9

third rail

third and fourth rails

Question 10

Subway and SRT - It is imperative that officers contact the Transit Control Centre before entering onto the track level. Officers at the scene must also ensure that

Answer 10

all persons have been accounted for and have returned from the track level prior to the power being restored.

Question 11

Subway and SRT - At both ends of the subway and SRT platforms, there are_____ identified by a blue light. Each cabinet is equipped with a ________. Officers must be aware that even though the power is cut, subway trains will continue to coast silently into the next station. Caution is advised before proceeding into the tunnel.

Answer 11

‘Emergency Power Cut Cabinets’

TTC internal telephone and an emergency Power Cut Device for cutting electrical power to the power rails

Question 12

Subway and SRT - Escape from the tunnels is possible by emergency exits accessible within the tunnels and identified by illuminated signs. The Transit Control Centre is immediately notified when…

Answer 12

an exit door is opened, as each door is equipped with an alarm

Question 13

Subway and SRT On-Board Emergencies -
Subway trains are controlled by a driver and a guard (door operator), and SRT trains are controlled by a _____

Answer 13

driver only.

Question 14

Subway and SRT On-Board Emergencies - All trains are equipped with ______, which when pressed emit an audible alarm in the subway or SRT car, as well as in the ______. An exterior light also illuminates to identify the subway or SRT car in which the alarm has been pressed.

Answer 14

‘Passenger Assistance Alarm Strips’

driver’s and guard’s cabs

Question 15

Subway and SRT On-Board Emergencies - Fire–fighting equipment is located in _____ on station platforms and also mounted on station platform walls. A fire extinguisher is also located in each operating cab on subway and SRT trains, which is suitable for use on any type of fire. Water SHALL not be used on

Answer 15

red cabinets

fires of electrical origin, unless the power has been cut.

Question 16

Subway and SRT On-Board Emergencies - A red handled _______ is located at the end of each subway/SRT car where the driver’s cab is situated. This device can be used if it becomes necessary _______.
xiii. Note: Trains should not be stopped between stations except in ________.
Further, an ________ is located above the doors at the cab end for use when the train is stopped.

Answer 16

‘Emergency Stop Device’

to stop a train in motion

extreme emergencies

‘Emergency Door Opening Device’

Question 17

Police Officer - When responding to an emergency on TTC property SHALL comply with

Answer 17

Procedure 10–01.

Question 18

Police Officer - Prior to entering a subway location SHALL contact the

Answer 18

divisional communications operator (communications operator).

Question 19

Police Officer - Once inside a subway location SHALL contact the communications operator again to ensure

Answer 19

radio contact has been established.

Question 20

Police Officer - Upon arrival at a subway or SRT station SHALL advise the

Answer 20

collector in the ticket booth of the circumstances.

xiv. Note: Unstaffed automatic entrances are under closed circuit television surveillance by the collector at the main entrance. In order to gain entry, the officer must speak loudly into the intercom to attract the collector’s attention.

Question 21

Police Officer - Upon hearing “Code 117”, a TTC summon for police assistance, on the subway’s public address system SHALL

Answer 21

contact the Transit Control Centre from any internal TTC telephone.

Question 22

Police Officer - When on scene of an emergency at the track level SHALL

Answer 22

 cut the power at the blue light Emergency Power Cut Cabinet by following posted instructions
 call Transit Control Centre (dial 3555 for subway or dial 3777 for SRT system) and
- identify self
- give reason for power cut
- provide a description of the suspect, if applicable
- request the attendance of TTC Special Constables and/or supervisory personnel, if necessary
- maintain constant contact with the Transit Control Centre
 notify a supervisory officer
 update the communications operator and request additional officers to emergency exits or other stations, if necessary (e.g. a station to which a suspect may be fleeing)
 wait for the Transit Control Centre to indicate that the power has been cut
 not enter the track level until clearance has been received from the Transit Control Centre
 Note: Officers SHALL only descend to the track level as a last resort and SHALL never respond on their own without TTC personnel assistance.

Question 23

Police Officer - When assistance arrives SHALL

Answer 23

designate 1 officer to maintain telephone contact with the Transit Control Centre
descend to track level by the gate at either end of the station platform or by the safest means possible proceed with caution as there may be trains, or service vehicles, coasting to a stop in either direction
 Note: When crossing power rails in the subway system, step clearly over the power rails, or step cautiously onto the yellow reinforced cover boards. These may be hard to distinguish due to black dust coating and may also be rotted. Use the designated walkways when at the track level on the SRT line. As an additional precaution, the power rail must always be treated as if it were live.

Question 24

Police Officer - When on the track level SHALL

Answer 24

 cut the power trips at each blue light Emergency Power Cut Cabinet along the way (approximately every 150 metres)
 move through the tunnel remaining on the raised catwalk whenever possible
 Note: The catwalk is a safe area unless marked non-clearance by diagonal yellow stripes. Officers must ensure that equipment and clothing are secure to their body to prevent tunnel wind from catching these items on a passing train.

Question 25

Police Officer - When necessary to stop a train SHALL

Answer 25

 signal to the train driver by swinging a light back and forth, or waving their arms or other object vigorously
 Note: The driver will give 1 short blast of the train horn to acknowledge the signal to stop.  explain to the driver why the signal to stop was given

Question 26

Police Officer - When arriving at the station to which the suspect is fleeing, the first officer SHALL

Answer 26

 proceed to the platform level
 cut the power at the blue light Emergency Power Cut Cabinet
 Note: Officers dispatched to a station to which the suspect is fleeing will NOT conduct a track level search unless it becomes absolutely necessary to do so.
 notify the Transit Control Centre
 update the communications operator

Question 27

Police Officer - Prior to the power being restored SHALL liaise with the

Answer 27

on–scene TTC supervisor to ensure no persons remains at track level.

Question 28

Police Officer - When investigating an emergency on board a train SHALL

Answer 28

 speak to the train crew to determine the exact location and nature of the problem
 follow the posted instructions when proceeding between subway/SRT cars
xv. Note: If required, TTC train crew can provide a radio telephone to contact the Transit Control Centre or for use as a public address system throughout the train.

Question 29

Supervisory Officer - When responding to an emergency on TTC property SHALL comply with

Answer 29

Procedure 10–01.

Question 30

Supervisory Officer - In the case of all track level events SHALL

Answer 30

 attend the scene and provide appropriate direction
 notify the divisional Officer in Charge and consult to determine what level of unit response, if any, is required
 ensure that the information is captured in the unit’s data entry logs

Question 31

Officer in Charge - Division - When notified of an emergency incident on TTC property SHALL

Answer 31

 comply with Procedure 10–01
 ensure compliance with all applicable procedures