Amtrak Police and the Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council (WRHSAC) partnered to bring Passenger Rail Emergency Response training to first responders from western Massachusetts and beyond. Through this unique partnership, two full weeks of discipline specific trainings were held. Amtrak Police and Corporate Safety facilitated the trainings and provided several passenger rail cars for a realistic training environment, while WRHSAC coordinated location logistics, participant communications and event management support.
Members of Amtrak’s Special Operations Team and Police facilitated training for Tactical Response Teams and Law Enforcement. Officers participated in a variety of drill scenarios simulating an active threat on a passenger train. Through engaging role-play, students learned entry procedures, safety considerations, threat response tactics, de-escalation skills and more.
Personnel from regional and state Bomb Squads and K-9 Explosive Ordinance Disposal Teams performed explosive detection scenarios within and outside of a train. K-9 Teams were also afforded the opportunity to practice within the Springfield Union Station.
Amtrak Emergency Management provided Fire and EMS responders with detailed safety considerations to rail incident response; an in-depth review of train mechanics; a history of rail mass casualty incidents and lessons learned; and hands-on response to a mass casualty incident scenario.
Most training participants had never previously drilled on trains. The scenarios introduced participants to situations they have not experienced and enhanced their skills and capability to respond to rail incidents. With the planned increase of Amtrak traffic in western Massachusetts, the training’s relevance and timeliness was appreciated by many.