MBTA to stage rail safety drill Sunday in Whale’s Tooth parking lot area in New Bedford
NEW BEDFORD — The MBTA will conduct an emergency evacuation training drill Sunday at approximately 10 a.m. in the Whale’s Tooth parking lot area.
The drill is part of safety training in support of the start of South Coast Rail passenger service.
No area traffic impacts are expected, though area neighbors may experience heightened noise and other general activity.
The MBTA wants residents to be aware that this is a training exercise only, not a real emergency taking place.
While the training exercise is scheduled from approximately 10 a.m. to noon, event set-up activities will take place as early as 7 a.m., according to a press release.
Drill scenario involves staged rail incident
The drill will include a scenario in which a train traveling along this section of track unexpectedly experiences an incident. Several passengers are injured, and others must evacuate the train.
This exercise is designed to establish a learning environment for public safety officials to exercise emergency response plans, policies, and procedures as they pertain to a mass casualty event on a Commuter Rail train.
How it works: Before South Coast Rail rolls into town, first responders prepare for a train disaster
Area first responders will receive hands-on Commuter Rail equipment familiarization training as part of the drill.
Subject matter experts and representatives from numerous agencies took part in the planning process and will take part in the exercise conduct and evaluation.
Agencies participating in this joint exercise include the MBTA, MassDOT, Keolis Commuter Services, MBTA Transit Police, Mass Coastal Railroad, AECOM, the Federal Railroad Administration, and first responders from New Bedford, Dartmouth, Acushnet, Fairhaven, Norton, Freetown, Mattapoisett, Taunton, and Raynham.
A similar type of drill was held in Freetown with Greater Fall River public safety personnel in July.
Drill is part of many safety initiatives
The exercise is one of many facets of a safety campaign led by the MBTA as the T prepares for the start of SCR passenger service.
Other safety initiatives include the Safety First education program for SCR communities that highlights track and grade crossing safety through training classes, videos, brochures, and presentations.
Local officials, stakeholders, and other community groups like schools, libraries, and clubs can request more information or a presentation by emailing SouthCoastRail@dot.state.ma.us with “Safety First” in the subject line.
For more information, visit mbta.com or connect with the T on X (the site formerly known as Twitter) @MBTA and @MBTA_CR, Facebook /TheMBTA, Instagram @theMBTA, Threads @thembta, or TikTok @thembta.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: MBTA to stage rail safety drill Sunday in Whale’s Tooth parking area
