On March 12, 2005, volunteers from the Mifflin Township (PA) Forest Rangers responded to a crash at a private grade crossing involving a mid-sized sedan and a freight train. As one would expect, the car was demolished and the lead engine of the train suffered little noticeable damage.
The first-due apparatus, a 2,000-gpm pumper/tanker carrying 3,000 gallons of water, and our special operations (command/haz-mat) unit found a single motor vehicle on its left side approximately 30 feet from the crossing. There was no fire or any signs of leaking fluid. The point of impact on the vehicle was near the left front tire, and the passenger compartment was intact.
The driver, a 52-year-old woman, was found standing inside, on the driver’s side door. Her pet German shepherd was sitting behind her. After pulling out the remains of the windshield, the driver was extricated. The dog, which was initially a concern to the first-arriving firefighters, calmly walked over to a neighbor of the victim.
Several minutes later, the victim was removed from the scene by a medical evacuation helicopter that was staged in a nearby field.
With all things considered, this operation was a success. There was no fire; it was an easy extrication; and we performed all tasks with a high level of professionalism and teamwork.
However, in the short time between our initial dispatch and arrival on-scene, we were surprised that two representatives of the railroad also arrived. After a few moments of wondering how the railroad was able to get people on the scene so quickly, it became apparent that they were part of the train crew. They were the conductor and brakeman, who walked about a quarter mile back to the impact site to provide assistance. They provided information about the condition of the train and the materials it carried. They also informed the responders and bystanders not to approach the train.
We have to remember that even after an incident, the train crew’s responsibilities do not diminish. They still have to comply with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), implement contingency procedures, protect the train, and ensure the safety of everyone on-scene. On a typical train, the conductor is responsible for the safe movement of the train and the safety of the crew; the brakeman is responsible to monitor the integrity of the railcars in the train; and the engineer is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the locomotive.
Now ask yourself, “Where was the train crew at the time of impact?” They were in the engine cab. Therefore, they were also victims of the accident! Do you normally ignore uninjured victims of an accident?
We cannot forget about the welfare of the train crew. They did not start their day planning to have an incident but rather to deliver freight from point A to point B safely and efficiently. At the very least, the crew was having an incredibly bad day at work.
You need to take some time to talk to the train crew. These people need to decompress. They have just had their normal and expected routine dramatically interrupted. In your conversation, be neutral. Neither assign blame nor remove responsibility for what happened. That’s not your job. Avoid that legal minefield!
Rather, find some common ground. You need to develop a trust and rapport to provide any emotional support. I was fortunate because even though my operational experience with railroads is limited to the HO scale, I share an interest in trains.
Next, take time to LISTEN. If possible, find a quiet area out of sight from the wreckage. Focus your attention on what they are saying, and listen carefully. When it is time to respond, choose your words carefully. Try to be calm and understanding. You may even experience some of their anger, but it is probably because of the situation and not directed at you personally. I’m sure if it were possible to have the train “swerve to avoid,” it would have been done.
Finally, try to address their personal needs. They are essentially travelers making an unscheduled stop in your jurisdiction. During an extended operation, they may need to grab something to eat, find a bathroom, or call home. Help them where you can. Remember, after the incident terminates, they still need to get the train to the scheduled destination!
According to the Federal Railway Administration, there were 3,006 crossing incidents in the United States in 2004; 369 involved fatalities. If your fire department responds to an incident like this in the future, will you remember the train crew? ■
■ DANIEL F. DREISBACH, CFPS, is a 35-year veteran of the fire service and is certified as a firefighter I and II and an EMT and is an instructor emeritus of the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy. A former chief of the Mifflin Township (PA) Forest Rangers, he serves as a fire and safety professional in the nuclear field.
