BOSTON — Several agencies in Boston along with a team of volunteers participated in a drill to practice responding to a mass casualty incident on Sunday morning.
The MBTA Transit Police, Boston Fire Department and Boston Emergency Medical Services as well as several volunteers playing the role as passengers practiced a safety drill where they simulated a small train derailment.
The drill played out as a real-life scenario, where underground alarms sounded as first responders assisted passengers off a derailed subway train after it abruptly stopped, injuring several passengers.
The exercise also helped first responders in terms of physical logistics as, in this case, the train stopped between two stations, and passengers were assisted off at both.
"In terms of a real rescue it really paints the picture of how difficult communication can be in these situations," said Boston EMS Superintendent Steven McHugh.
Those volunteer passengers told Boston 25 News they volunteered to help create an important learning environment.
"You have to prepare for what might happen, but you never know what might happen," said Kim, a drill volunteer.
"The realism kicked in when the first responders came," said another volunteer.
Officials say they need to practice to understand where their response plans are efficient and what needs to be improved.
"By training we can prepare for just about any scenario," said Preston Horton of the MBTA Transit Police.
In addition to training on practice scenarios, first responders say they meet to debrief after actual events as well.