A blazing display of flashing lights illuminated part of the New Mexico Rail Runner Express track south of Downtown Albuquerque on a weekday evening in November. First responders in full gear surrounded what appeared to be a head-on collision between trains. The scene, which appeared realistic, was actually a staged scenario set up as an emergency preparedness exercise.
According to Liz Nauman, Chief Safety Officer for the Rail Runner, a full-scale emergency preparedness exercise is mandated by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) every two years. This type of readiness drill provides multiple agencies, including fire and police, with hands-on experience in responding to a disaster or emergency and how to navigate a mass casualty situation.
“I like to create a realistic scenario,” said Nauman. “This year’s exercise fabricated a train collision with an emphasis on minimal to no lighting to navigate an emergency response in the dark.”
The scenario was designed to take place at night in a rural area. “Because of the time of year and our service hours, there is a high probability of having an emergency at night,” said Nauman. “Also, about 50-percent of Rail Runner territory is rural.”
A Year of Planning
Nauman and other Rail Runner and Rio Metro staff started planning the exercise in 2023, coordinating with the FRA, FBI, Herzog Transit Services, first responders, maintenance crews and others.
Some of the comprehensive planning included setting up 911 and emergency dispatch ‘training lines’ for first responders to call during the exercise, coordinating volunteers to act as passengers experiencing a range of injuries, and setting up an advance safety training class. A first responder safety manual was also developed to familiarize potential responders with functions and specs of the train.
The Run-Through
On the night of the live exercise, Albuquerque Fire and Rescue Station 1 was called in to respond to the scene. They were first given a tour of the Rail Runner to familiarize them with the equipment, what was live and active, and what they could and could not touch. Then the responders set to work boarding and sweeping the train looking for passengers.
“We had volunteers on site that had cards depicting their various injuries or causalities. The first responders had to triage each one,” said Nauman. “In the event of an emergency, our goal is to move in fast and get everyone off the train and where they need to go. People are our first priority.”
According to Nauman, this was also an important training opportunity for the Rail Runner crew. “It tested their knowledge of what to do in the event of an emergency. Things like contacting dispatch, counting people on the train, emergency fuel shut offs, and use of emergency windows and exits,” she said.
Safety and Awareness
A debrief following the exercise provided participants with the opportunity to discuss what was done well and what needed improvement. According to Nauman, first responders expressed how helpful it was to have this type of hands-on experience.
“The Rail Runner makes 1,127 stops each week,” said Nauman. “That doesn’t include BNSF or Amtrak. People don’t realize how much activity there is on the tracks.”
Along with the safety team of Jody Fly and Willima Holland from Herzog Transit Services which provides operations for the Rail Runner, Nauman is committed to elevate rail safety awareness through this and other types of trainings and activities. “Thank you to everyone that helped out with this scenario, and who participated in all of our exercises and trainings,” she said. “It only makes us better.”
By Riann Martinez, Marketing Specialist, Rio Metro Regional Transit District
