Under River Rail Ops

Question 1

Movement of ambulatory victims out of the tube. Once victims have reached the area
at the base of the emergency exit stairs, there are several possible removal options:
What are they ?

Answer 1

1.Direct passengers to walk along the track to the nearest station
2. Emergency Exit Stairways
3. Rescue Train
SEC 7.2.2

Question 2

As a Lt you decide to move ambulatory passengers along the track to the nearest station. This decision was based on 3 factors. what are they?

Answer 2

Direct passengers to walk along the track to the nearest station
The decision to move passengers along the track to nearest station will be based on
1. travel distance
2. patient condition
3. the status of 3rd rail power.
Sec 7.2.2

Question 3

As a Lt you decide to move ambulatory passengers to the Emergency Exits based on 3 factors. what are they?

Answer 3

Evacuating passengers via emergency exit stairs ,
1. depending on depth of the shaft
2.stairway configuration
3. smoke condition.
FD members attempting to descend
a stairway must first allow civilians to evacuate. When two staircases are
present, designate an Evacuation Stairway and an Attack Stairway
Sec 7.2.2

Question 4

There are two possible

scenarios for use of rescue trains: What are they ?

Answer 4

• A rescue train may be used on the track in the adjacent tube, accessed
via the emergency exit crossover. Power would remain off on the track
where the incident took place. Passengers would have to walk or be
carried to crossover at the emergency exit.
• Rescue train on same track as incident.
may be
possible if passengers are not on the tracks and can be sheltered in
place on the affected train, allowing 3rd rail power to remain on.
Passengers would only have to be moved a short distance along the
benchwall from train to train.
Sec 7.2.2

Question 5

Removal of non-ambulatory victims will be labor-intensive and will require increased
personnel and logistical support.
What are some methods to do this. Which is preferred ??

Answer 5

1. Victim Removal Relay Teams may be used to remove non-ambulatory victims.
2. SKED stretchers have proven to be useful to move patients long distances over
   difficult terrain.
3. Rail carts, which ride on the tracks, are the primary method for moving patients
   and equipment
   Sec 7.3.1-2

Question 6

In addition to SCBA and spare cylinders, all units ordered to operate inside under river
tubes shall be equipped with What ??

Answer 6

APR adaptors and canisters to protect eyes and respiratory
tracts from steel dust and other contaminants
SEC 8

Question 7

Third rails in the affected tube and in adjacent tubes may be live. In addition,
1,000 volt lines may run throughout the tubes at ceiling level.
These lines are not deactivated by routine requests for power removal.
True or false

Answer 7

True

Sec 9.1.1

Question 8

Under river tubes are narrower than underground tunnels. There is very little
space between the train and the tube.
How wide is the tunnel and how thick are the walls?

Answer 8

Most tubes are between 14 and 19 feet wide, Tubes are cylindrical in shape and are constructed of brick, concrete or tubular
cast iron Some cast iron tubes are lined with concrete. Tube walls
are between 2 and 2½ feet thick.
Sec 2.2.1

Question 9

What tools are used to Open a Subway emergency Exit ?

Answer 9

Triangle key and a Billy bar. Billy bar not essential.

Sec 2.5.1

Question 10

In Under river Tubes where are the Crossovers located?

Answer 10

They are located only in underground areas and at the ends of under river tubes.
Crossovers associated with emergency exits are usually at track level but they
may be one or more levels above the tracks.
Sec 2.6.2

Question 11

In under river Tubes Where are the 2 1/2” outlets located ?

Answer 11

• 2½ inch outlets are located every 200 feet throughout under river tubes.
Sec 2.7.1
The standpipes are equipped with 1½” hose and adjustable fog and straight stream nozzles
AUC 8.5.6

Question 12

Section Valves are located every ??

Answer 12

600ft

Sec 2.7.1

Question 13

Where are Siamese located ?

Answer 13

Siameses are usually located at the emergency exits closest to the river
Sec 2.7.1

Question 14

Where are EED’s located ?

Answer 14

1. Are located at the base of emergency exit stairs nearest the under river tubes at both ends
2. They are also located near stations, at the first blue light south of the station, on the southbound track. (50ft)
3. At Elevated stations in Area of Full time token booth
   AUC 207
   EED are secured by Transit Authority locks, keys are located at the token booth in the
   station. Bolt cutters or forcible entry tools will be required

Question 15

How can the TA portable radios benefit us during operations ? Who carries them?

Answer 15

TA portable radios are carried by conductors, train operators and TA supervisors.
These radios may not work above ground. A communications link may be
established from a TA portable radio to the trainmaster, who could then relay
information to the borough dispatcher
Sec 2.9.5

Question 16

Can we use Post Radios in the Subway System ?

Answer 16

Do not use Post Radios in immediate vicinity of signals, communications equipment
or train operator cabs, due to the possibility of electrical interference. Notify NYCT
when Post Radios are in use within the subway system.

Question 17

Two-sided, Operational Guides have been developed to provide information regarding
each individual under river tube. What can be found on side A and B

Answer 17

Side “A” contains
maps, pictures and information to locate a particular set of tubes, the associated
emergency exits, and stations. (above ground)
Side “B” contains a diagram of the tube and information
about emergency exits, distances, and crossovers

Question 18

Where can u find Sound powered phones jacks in under river tubes

Answer 18

In every tube, except the
Joralemon Tubes, sound powered phone jacks are located at the standpipe outlets.
Sec 2.11

Question 19

Size-Up
The acronym “LIVES” can be used to organize a preliminary size-up:
What is it?

Answer 19

Location, Life hazard
Incident
Ventilation
Evacuation, Egress and access points
Safety
Sec 3.2

Question 20

Subway 2 4 6 8 ??

Answer 20

200ft
Gate valves with Fd threads in subway system
2 1/2” outlets in Under River Tubes w/ Sound powered Phones

400ft
Track ID signs on Manhattam Bridge

600ft
Power Removal Boxes
Section Valves in Under River Tubes often found at base of emergency exits

800ft
Ait train Blue Light station power Removal Boxes along the guideway

Question 21

Typical under river NYCT subway tube. Note the following features: Cylindrical tube shape,
drainage trough between running rails, benchwall, dry chemical extinguisher, blue light phone
and standpipe. Where should members and evacuating passengers walk when on the track ?

Answer 21

Also note that it would be unsafe to walk between the running rails due to the
drainage trough. Personnel and evacuating passengers should walk in the area * outside the rails, opposite to the third rail;* be aware that the 3rd rail alternates sides as it goes through the tunnel. Also have members walk towards a fan in supply mode.
Figure 1

Question 22

In under river rails emergency exits have metal or concrete steps. The depths range from 24 to 130 ft deep. Which type is often steeper ?

Answer 22

METAL!!!

Sec Fig D

Question 23

According to Under river rail ops

Victims should be removed in the following order:

Answer 23

7.1.1 Ambulatory Victims
Evacuate passengers who have walked from the incident to the emergency exit.
 Non-Ambulatory Victims
• Red Tag (Immediate Transport)
• Yellow Tag (Delayed Transport)
Victims Requiring Disentanglement/Extrication
• Red Tag (Immediate Transport)
• Yellow Tag (Delayed Transport)
Black Tag (deceased victims)
Sec 7.1.1-.4

Question 24

Crossovers associated with emergency exits are usually where ?

Answer 24

track level but they
may be one or more levels above the tracks
Sec 2.6.2

Question 25

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. What are the 3 exceptions ?
Bonus question how many tracks on each of these lines ?

Answer 25

Exceptions: The NYCT 63rd St. Tunnel, 161st St. Tunnel, and the Lexington Ave. tubes, all of which have openings between tracks under the river
Sec 2.6.1
63 has 2
161 has 3
lex has 4
Sec 2.3

Question 26

Lets play jeopardy
Answer:
In most cases, it is the location of the last emergency exit and the last crossover to the
adjacent tube until the other side of the river

Answer 26

What is the Tunnel-to-Tube Transition Areas
• This is the point where the underground tunnel connects to the under river tube.
Sec 2.4

Question 27

• Standpipe numbers are sequential and can be used to provide an approximate location of an incident. What can be used to reference this ?

Answer 27

Operational Guides provide a diagram of the standpipe

numbers in each tube for which the information is available.

Question 28

A blue light phone can be used to call who ?

Answer 28

Can call the TA Trainmaster or the phone in the token booth of the nearest station.
Sec 2.9.4

Question 29

TA portable radios are carried by

Answer 29

conductors
train operators
TA supervisors.
Sec 2.9.5

Question 30

Do not use Post Radios in immediate vicinity of ? SOC

Answer 30

signals
communications equipment
train operator cabs, 
Notify NYCT when Post Radios are in use within the subway system
Sec 2.9.6

Question 31

Can a blue light phone make calls outside the system ?

Answer 31

NO!!!
A blue light phone cannot be used to call outside the system, but can receive calls from outside the system.
To call a blue light telephone from outside of the
system, dial 1 + the area code (usually 718) + the three digit exchange + the four
digit extension number.
Sec 2.9.7

Question 32

Two-sided, Operational Guides have been developed to provide information regarding
each individual under river tube.
Side “A” contains ??

Side “B” contains ??

Answer 32

SIDE A
maps, pictures and information to locate a particular set of tubes, the associated
emergency exits, and stations.
SIDE B
a diagram of the tube and information
about emergency exits, distances, and crossovers
Sec 2.11

Question 33

On side B of the Operational Guide The lengths of the under river sections of the tubes are
shown, along with the distances from the closest stations to the emergency exits at the start of the tubes.
Column numbers can help do what ?

Answer 33

Column numbers provide a means to estimate the distance from an ** incident to an exit or a station **
Sec 2.11

Question 34

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: 1-4

Answer 34

• 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 selfevacuating,
request power-off on the affected track(s).
Sec 3.3

Question 35

Evacuation must take place away from any fan
operated in the exhaust mode.
True or False

Answer 35

FALSE!! SHOULD!!
This may not be possible at an incident in an under
river tunnel. If a fire or explosion occurs in the middle of a train, passengers may self evacuate in BOTH directions
Sec 4.6

Question 36

Preparations for operations in under-river tubes have three main elements: ??

Answer 36

• Reconnaissance
• Planning
• Logistics
Sec 6

Question 37

Engine Company Operations

Assignments will vary based on the needs of the operation. Units may perform several tasks, including: 1-3

Answer 37

• Firefighting
• CFR Duties
• Communications: augment HT relay, operate sound powered phones.
Sec 8.1.1

Question 38

Tools and Equipment needed for an Engine company in a under river tube emergency would be ?? 1-3

Answer 38

• Full PPE
• Rolled lengths of 2½” hose
• Standpipe kit (including FT-2 nozzle, chocks and pressure gauge)
• CFR equipment, including SKEDs, backboards, triage tags
Sec 8.1.2

Question 39

It is most likely that handlines will be operated from standpipe outlets. If the
incident is very close to an emergency exit, it may be feasible to stretch a
handline via the exit. However, we cannot operate from an emergency exit if ??

Answer 39

it hinders passenger evacuation.

Sec 8.1.3

Question 40

The ladder company will bring Standard firefighting tools, for use in initial stages of the operation in an under river tube including what ?

Answer 40

o Wooden hooks
o Forcible entry tools
o Bolt cutters (to gain access to Emergency Evacuation Devices)
Sec 8.2.5

Question 41

Specialized Tools. The following tools may prove useful and should be considered in an under river tube incident

Answer 41

o Cordless Sawzalls™
o Glow sticks (provide light without extra noise or heat)
o Suitcase/scissor ladders and A frame ladders. (Useful to move from track
level to benchwalls, train cars and emergency exit platforms)
o Cutters Edge saw blades, Hurst™ tools (Hurst™ tools may be difficult to transport to the point of operations)
o Dry chemical extinguishers
o Search ropes
o Thermal imaging cameras
o Torches and gas saws (may cause unacceptable contamination of the atmosphere)
Sec 8.2.5

Question 42

One of the most important initial duties of SOC units at under river tube emergency will be

Answer 42

atmospheric monitoring

Sec 8.3.1

Question 43

High Angle equipment and a haul system may be needed where emergency
exits have exceptionally steep stairs, for removal of incapacitated patients.
True or False

Answer 43

TRUE!!

Sec 8.3.5

Question 44

Under river tube emergency shall be treated as what type of operation ?

Answer 44

Treat as Confined Space Operation

Sec 9.2.5

Question 45

Third rails in the affected tube and in adjacent tubes may be live. In addition,
1,000 volt lines may run throughout the tubes at ceiling level. Are these lines deactivated in routine requests for power removal ?

Answer 45

NO!!
These lines are not deactivated by routine requests for power removal.
Sec 9.1.1