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In this episode, Dr. Gasaway interviews Vince Mulray, retired Philadelphia Deputy Chief, discussing the 2015 derailment of Amtrak Train #188 traveling from Washington DC to New York City.

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On May 12, 2015, at approximately 9:20pm, Amtrak Train #188 traveling from Washington D.C. to New York City derailed and crashed on the Frankford Junction curve on Amtrak\u2019s Northeast Corridor.\xa0 All seven cars and the electric locomotive left the tracks.\xa0 The derailment and crash resulted in 8 deaths and over 200 passengers injured.\xa0\xa0\xa0

\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 This incident required the rescue, extrication, treatment and transportation of over 200 passengers.\xa0 The derailment and crash involved 7 passenger cars and one electric engine (#601) on Amtrak\u2019s Northeast Corridor at the Frankford Junction curve.\xa0 Amtrak estimated that this accident would cost taxpayers approximately 9.2 million dollars.\xa0 Initial responding companies remained on scene for one operational period.\xa0 Fire Department assistance was required for approximately 5 days until service was fully restored.\xa0 One accomplishment that should be noted was that no Fire Department injuries were reported for this response.\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0

\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 Frankford Junction is a former railroad station with an active rail yard approximately three miles from Amtrak\u2019s North Philadelphia Station.\xa0\xa0 Amtrak\u2019s Northeast Corridor line travels through this area on four tracks that form an S curve with a 50-mile-per-hour speed limit for all trains, the slowest track speed limit between Washington D.C. and New York City, the train\u2019s final destination.\xa0 The junction was well known to first responders and local residents because of a previous accident.\xa0 On September 6, 1943, the Congressional Limited, traveling nonstop from Washington D.C. to New York City, derailed in the same general area, killing 79 of the 541 passengers.

\xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0 Amtrak train records indicated that on Train 188, an emergency application of its brakes occurred at approximately 9:20 p.m.\xa0 The fire department\u2019s 911 call center received its first notification at 9:27 p.m. and dispatched a full box assignment (4-engines, 2-ladders, 2-battalion chiefs and a medic unit) at 9:28 p.m. for a derailed train, which would be elevated to a four-alarm response before being placed under control.\xa0 Approximately 180 firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics were summoned.\xa0 The Philadelphia Police Department sent approximately 200 working district officers, who provided scene control and acted as stretcher bearers.

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About the Host

Richard B. Gasaway, PhD, CSP is widely considered a trusted authority on human factors, situational awareness and the high-risk decision making processes used in high-stress, high consequence work environments. He served 33 years on the front lines as a firefighter, EMT-Paramedic, company officer, training officer, fire chief and emergency incident commander.\xa0 His doctoral research included the study of cognitive neuroscience to understand how human factors flaw situational awareness and impact high-risk decision making.

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