UNDER RIVER RAIL OPERATIONS Flashcards
What is the shape of an under river tube
Cylindrical
How many sets of under river tubes are there in NYC
14 sets
Most under river tunnels actually consist of
2 separate structure referred to as tubes
Most tubes are bored through
Solid bedrock
Tubes are constructed of
- Brick
- Concrete
- Tubular cast iron
- Some cast iron tubes are lined with concrete
Tube walls are between
2 to 2 1/2 feet thick
Most tube’s width is
- 14-19 feet wide
* Only large enough to contain 1 track
Is the 3rd rail always on the same side of the tube
No, it alternates sides
It is unsafe to walk between the tracks because of the
Drainage trough
Personnel and evacuating passengers should walk in the area
Outside the rails opposite the 3rd rail. Be aware that the 3rd rail will alternate sides in the tube
Most tubes have no access to the
Adjacent tube throughout the underwater areas. You cannot ride a train halfway across the river and get out to 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
The only openings for airflow in a tubes are
At the ends of the tube. A disabled train in a tube will impede airflow. There are no exhaust fans in a tube
Tunnel to tube transition area
- Square underground tunnel connects to a round under river tube
- In most cases this is the location of the last emergency exit and the last crossover to the adjacent tube until the other side of the river
How is the Billy Bar utilized in conjunction with the Triangle Key to open up the standard type emergency exit door
Prevents movement of the ring around the lock
Crossovers also known as cross passageways are connections between adjacent tunnels. They are located
Only in underground areas and at the ENDS of under river tubes
Where are crossovers associated with emergency exits located
At Track Level
Section valves for under river standpipes are located approximately how many feet apart
600 Feet apart
Points about the phone system in the under river tubes
- Similar to the FDNY phone system
- Designated by Blue lights
- Found near emergency power removal boxes
- Approximately 600 Feet apart
Blue light phone facts
- Cannot be used to call OUTSIDE the system
* But can receive phone calls from OUTSIDE the system
The acronym “LIVES” stands for
- Location of Incident
- Information
- Ventilation
- Evacuation
- Safety
Victim order removal
- Ambulatory
- Non-Ambulatory
- Extrication
- Deceased
When 2 emergency exits are present designate them as
- Evacuation stairs
* Attack stairs
Members attempting to descend an emergency exit stairway must first allow
Passengers to evacuate
Stairway configuration should be considered prior to
Evacuating passengers
Victim removal relay teams should be used for
Non-Ambulatory victims
What is the primary method for moving patients and equipment at under river rail operations
Rail Carts
What type of portable fire extinguishers are located at the blue light in tubes
Dry Chemical
In addition to the 3rd rail, where would firefighters find high voltage electrical lines which are NOT deactivated by routine requests for power removal within under river tubes
At ceiling level
1st arriving BC
- Consult operational guide for locations of stations & emergency exits which provide the most direct access to the incident
- Special call a BC, at least one Engine & one Ladder and a unit with monitoring capabilities to stage at the stations and the emergency exits nearest the under river tube
- Use SOC resources only as necessary
- If SOC rebreather is being considered requests it ASAP
- Ensure EMS requests appropriate resources
- Special call additional alarms for victim removal
- Emergency Rail Cart equipped units needed
Establish a Command Post
- Best location may not be evident early on
* Most cases the ICP will be located at the station closest to the tunnel, in the borough of the 1st assigned DC
Power removal
- TA will want to move trains out of the affected tube
- Determine if passengers Can be sheltered in place on the train
- If contact can be made with the train, consult TA about the possibility of leaving the power on to use a rescue train
- If any indications that civilians are on the track power must be removed
There is a separate set of power removal boxes in
Each tube
It is critical to contact the train master to determine the
- Fan status
- Smoke conditions in tube
- IC can call train master by phone
What is one of the highest priorities off the TA Liaison BC upon his arrival at the TA Command Center
Ventilation priorities
Evacuation should take place AWAY from any fan operating in
Exhaust mode. This may not be possible at an incident in an under river tunnel. If a fire or explosion occurs in the middle of the train, passengers may self-evacuate in both directions
Be cautious when changing the ventilation actions that were initiated by the Train Master.
These actions have been based on specific information that we are not aware of.
If possible exhaust smoke and other contaminants
Away from evacuating passengers by using the fans in one side in supply mode while using the fans on the opposite end in exhaust mode. Be aware that a stationary train may block much of the airflow through the tube. Also any damage to the train due to derailment or an explosion may further obstruct the airflow
Due to complications of airflow it is impossible to
Provide strict guidelines for fan operation
The operation of the ventilation system must be coordinated with the
Movement of personnel. For example determine the best side from which to enter and exhaust the smoke in the opposite direction. It may be necessary to withdraw members from the opposite end of the tube
Consider the use of
1 hour cylinders
The decision to move passengers along the track to the nearest station will be based on
- Travel distance
- Patient condition
- Status of 3rd Rail
Rescue train scenarios
- A rescue train may be used on the track adjacent in the adjacent tube, accessed via the emergency exit crossover
- Rescue train on same track as the incident (unlikely). No passengers on track and 3rd rail power remains on. Passenger would be moved a short distance along the bench wall from train to train
Potential rescue trains should be
Swept for secondary devices by law enforcement personnel prior to deployment
Victim removal relay team
- Non-Ambulatory victims
- Teams spread out from incident location to emergency exits
- Victims passed from team to team
SKED stretchers have proven to be useful to move patients
Long distances over difficult terrain
The primary method for moving patients and equipment
Rail Cart
Specific extrication plans will be developed on site by the
Rescue Battalion
In addition to SCBA and spare cylinders, all units ordered to operate inside under river tubes shall be equipped with
APR adapters & canisters to protect the eyes and respiratory tracts from steel dusts and other contaminants
For extended operations into a tunnel with a distance up to 300 feet from the point of entry consider using
SOC Units with their supplied air cart and hose
How many volts does the electrical lines in the ceiling carry
1000 Volts
The 1st arriving BC at an Under River Rail operation should ref to the Chief Officer Operational Checklist (AUC 337) and consult with the appropriate Operational Guide to determine the locations of stations and/or emergency exits, which provide the most direct access to the incident. The Chief Officer Quick Guide would also be correct to implement the following
- Special call a BC, at least 1 Engine and 1 Ladder, and a unit with monitoring capability to stage at stations and the emergency exits nearest to the under river tube
- Designate each location (nearest stations and emergency exits on both sides of the tube) where units have been assigned as sectors
- At an incident like this SOC resources may be stretched thin and should be used only as necessary for monitoring, structural assessment, and technical rescue
- Ensure that EMS requests appropriate resources for a Rapid Transit/Rail Incident
Once power is removed on ANY tracks, can the IC request to restore power to a track
Yes
A decision will need to be made regarding the power status of the adjacent tube, which may be accessible via a crossover at the emergency exit. If passengers and/or firefighters are in the adjacent tube, request power removal. After the adjacent tube is searched and secured, the IC may request a “Rescue Train” be routed thru this tube, in which case the power would have to be restored
Who do you need to contact to determine the fan status
It is critical to contact the Train Master to determine fan status and to obtain available information about smoke conditions in the tube, especially in the vicinity of any stalled trains. Initially the dispatcher provides this information. The IC may also contact the Train Master by cell phone.
What is one of the highest priorities of the TA Liaison Battalion Chief upon his arrival at the TA Command Center
Ventilation
If possible exhaust smoke and contaminants away from evacuating passengers by using the fans on one side in ______ mode while using fans on the opposite end in _______ mode
Supply
Exhaust
Correct procedures on use of the fans
- Activate fans on one side in supply mode only
- Activate fans on one side in exhaust mode only
- Activate fans at both ends, one in supply and one in exhaust
Is there a preferred method to remove ambulatory victims during an under river rail operation
No
Just possible methods
