The News4 I-Team asked Metro about its plans for evacuating disabled people from tunnels during emergencies.
1. Explain the current plan in place to help evacuate disabled passengers from tunnels in an emergency.
This is really a fire department question. While Metro does have its own police department, Metro does not have its own fire /emergency response department. When smoke, fire or medical emergencies occur, Metro depends upon the local jurisdictions for emergency response -- including evacuations.
2. Can we get a copy?
Emergency response is part of the NTSB investigation, so no.
3. Explain how the “ETEC” equipment works.
That will happen today.
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4. Is it capable of moving all sizes of wheelchairs, etc, since some are heavier and larger than others?
Will explain today.
5. Who gets trained with using “ETEC” and how often?
We make training available on an ongoing basis. It is up to each fire department to send their personnel through training. We do not have the ability to mandate it.
6. Are walkways on tunnels wide enough for wheelchairs if there’s ever a need for a self-evacuation?
Talk to a fire department on this. I believe that in most cases, they are going to leave the equipment behind.
7. Any discussions of adding more equipment in future that could assist with evacuations?
Part of NTSB review.
8. When there’s an emergency is there an ADA coordinator who heads up the evacuating of disabled passengers?
Fire department question.
