Subway Simulator Keeps First Responders' Skills On Track
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To prepare for the possibility of an attack on the city's subway system, both the MTA and FDNY have created a full-scale replica of an underground subway stop, which allows city firefighters to train every day of the year. NY1's Tina Redwine filed the following report.On a recent visit to the New York City Fire Department's training facility on Randall's Island, first responders could be seen searching a subway car for victims of a simulated terrorist attack underground.
It's everyday work inside the subway simulator at the fire academy.
All of New York's Finest train on the two full-size train cars mounted on side-by-side tracks, a passenger platform and outside track. The MTA installed them in 2005 for more than a million dollars.
"When the real event occurs we're going to know how to move people and equipment pretty quickly," said FDNY Chief Thomas Galvin.
How quickly firefighters can evaluate and communicate as well as evacuate victims inside the simulator cars is what they're judged on. It's life-like except for a few details.
In a real emergency firefighters will do a patient assessment to see which patients should be removed first.
Since 9/11, the FDNY has added trolleys that can help them move patients along subway tracks. A new communication system the MTA installed also allows fire responders to use their radios underground.
Galvin said it solves the communication problems the fire department and the MTA had on 9/11.
"We developed a relay system right away and the MTA also has a repeater system that we can use with with our handy talkie that enhances our capability," he said.
Fire chiefs also have a new and separate high wattage radio network. But the FDNY isn't relying on high-tech solutions after cell phone towers went down on 9/11.
"We have sound powered phones. Basically connecting phone lines together and then going the old fashioned way to hand sets and headsets," Galvin said. "It's low tech, but at the end of the day it works."
Fire officials say making any rescue work also depends on cooperation from riders.
"Try to stay calm, listen to the directions, follow those directions and I think we'll have a fairly successful operation," Galvin added.