Under River Rail Operations Flashcards
Most tubes have no access to the adjacent tube throughout the underwater areas. You cannot ride a train halfway across the river, get out of the train and cross over to the adjoining tube.
Under river tubes are narrower than underground tunnels. There is very little space between the train and the tube. In the event of a collision or an explosion, it may be impossible to obtain access to the side of the train from the exterior.
Most tubes are between 14 and 19 feet wide, which is large enough to contain ________.
1 track
Fire Protection Systems and Equipment
All under river standpipes in the NYCT system are wet.
Standpipes are city-main fed. There are no pumps to augment pressure.
Siameses are usually located at the emergency exits closest to the river. In all cases, check the sign attached to the siamese to ensure that the correct system is supplied.
2½ inch outlets are located every 200 feet throughout under river tubes.
Section valves are located approximately 600 feet apart.
Sound-powered phone jacks are located at standpipe outlets (exception: Joralemon Tube).
Other Equipment
20-pound dry chemical extinguishers are located at power removal boxes, approximately every 600 feet.
Emergency Evacuation Devices (EED) - EED are located at both ends of each under river tube at the base of the emergency exits.
Rail Carts - Rail carts are utilized by personnel to transport tools and equipment into the tubes and to remove patients from scene.
Communications
The HT relay remains the basic means of communication in the subway system. This relay should be augmented as necessary.
Subway Repeater System
At present, members inside the tube on opposite sides of the break will not be able to communicate with each other. For maximum repeater coverage, the IC should ensure that a member operating on the repeater channel is at street level in a position at the closest station on both sides of the river. Members operating at street level on opposite sides of the tunnel should relay important messages across the river.
At present, there are no repeater antennas at most emergency exits, and no repeater coverage inside most emergency exit stairways.
A HT relay on the tactical channel shall be used.
Every 600’
Blue Light Phone
Dry Chem Extinguisher
Power Removal Box
A member using a blue light phone in the tube can call the TA Trainmaster or the phone in the token booth of the nearest station.
A blue light phone cannot be used to call outside the system, but can receive calls from outside the system.
Post Radio
Do not use Post Radios in immediate vicinity of _____________________________________________________________, due to the possibility of electrical interference.
Notify _________ when Post Radios are in use within the subway system.
The increased wattage of these Post Radios may increase our operating range. Post Radios may be useful to communicate above ground from one side of the river to the other.
signals, communications equipment or train operator cabs
NYC Transit
TA Portable Radios
A communications link may be established from a TA portable radio to the trainmaster, who could then relay information to the ________________________.
borough dispatcher
FIRST ARRIVING UNITS
Indications of a serious incident:
x Reports indicating heavy smoke or fire, an explosion, or a chemical release.
x Dispatcher receives information from several sources, possibly from both sides of tube.
x One or more trains are stuck in the tube.
x Reports of numerous sick or overcome passengers.
x Unusual smoke or vapors in the station.
x Other information obtained from rail personnel or passengers.
Size-Up
The acronym “LIVES” can be used to organize a preliminary size-up:
L = Location of Incident L = Life Hazard
I = Incident Information
V = Ventilation
E = Evacuation E = Egress and Access Points
S = Safety
Initial Actions
Initial efforts should focus on assisting self-evacuating passengers. Units assigned to stations should check nearby tunnels for victims.
Units assigned to emergency exits should do the following:
Consult the Emergency Exit Guide Book or Operational Guide to verify that operations are being conducted at the correct emergency exit.
Open exit door and assess the situation:
o Presence of smoke, haze, odors.
o Meter results.
o Presence of unusual sounds (explosions, persons in tunnel or exit shaft, water flow indicating ruptured standpipe or damage to tube).
o People heard or observed in exit stairwell.
Assist/guide ambulatory persons to a safe location.
Inform dispatcher which emergency exit you opened. If passengers are self-evacuating, request power-off on the affected track(s).
UNIT OPERATIONS
In addition to SCBA and spare cylinders, all units ordered to operate inside under river tubes shall be equipped with ______________________________ to protect eyes and respiratory tracts from steel dust and other contaminants.
APR adaptors and canisters
Engine Company Operations
Rolled lengths of 2½” hose
Standpipe kit (including FT-2 nozzle, chocks and pressure gauge)
CFR equipment, including SKEDs, backboards, triage tags
Fire Operations
- Confirm power removal, but operate as if power is on.
- Use FT-2 nozzle
- When stretching a hoseline through a train, it may be necessary to chock numerous car doors to reach the fire. Many chocks would be required.
- Consider the use of dry chemical extinguishers, which are located at the blue lights in the tube.
CFR Duties
- Triage, treatment and transport.
Ladder Company Operations
Size-Up/Assist victims who are self evacuating.
Establish Communications
x Ensure HT Relay is set up and later arriving units should augment as necessary.
x Utilize agency-specific radios (NYCT portable radios and Subway Repeater System).
x Deploy sound powered phones.
Ventilation
Communicate with the Incident Commander about the status of ventilation:
x Are ventilation fans operating?
x What effect are they having?
Entry, Search and Rescue
x Determine the best access to the incident. Depending on fire/emergency location, units approaching from opposite end of tube may have better access.
x Entry to hazardous locations only after proper hazard assessment and approval of IC.
x Be aware of your surroundings and possible landmarks that can pinpoint your location, including blue light/power removal boxes, standpipe outlets, and signal and column numbers.
Deliver and Operate Tools
- Standard firefighting tools
- Specialized Tools
SAFETY
Some of the many potential hazards are listed below:
Electrical Power
_______ volt lines may run throughout the tubes at ceiling level. These lines are not deactivated by routine requests for power removal.
Secondary Devices Moving Trains Respiratory Contamination Dust Limited Access/Egress Poor Visibility Structural Failure
Electrical Power
1,000
Respiratory Contamination
If chemical contamination is suspected, is the substance lighter or heavier than air? This may influence whether to evacuate passengers via the roadbed or the benchwall.
Members from Ladder 15 are discussing the Fire Protection Systems and Equipment found in the under river rail tunnels found throughout the city. Which point made by the junior member should be corrected?
A: All under river standpipes in the NYCT system are wet.
B: There are no pumps to augment pressure in the standpipes.
C: 2 1/2” standpipe outlets are located every 200 feet throughout the under river tubes.
D: Sound powered phone jacks are located at the standpipe section valves (exception: Joralemon Tube).
D: Sound powered phone jacks are located at the standpipe section valves (exception: Joralemon Tube).
Explanation:
D. Sound powered phone jacks are located at the standpipe OUTLETS (exception: Joralemon Tube).
Under River Rail Operations (2.7.1)
Which statement is incorrect when discussing crossovers found in under river rail tunnels?
A: Crossovers, also known as cross passageways, are connections between adjacent tunnels.
B: They are located only in underground areas and at the ends of under river tubes (except the 63rd St, 161st St and Lexington Ave tubes).
C: The most common configuration of a crossover is the one found above the track level. Another type that may be encountered is the crossover at track level.
D: Crossovers associated with emergency exits are usually at track level but they may be one or more levels above the tracks.
C. Crossovers found at track level are the most common configuration. Under River Rail (2.6.1 Figures 6A and 6B)
Explanation:
A. Under River Rail (2.6.1)
B. Under River Rail (2.6.1)
D. Under River Rail (2.6.2)
