Regional Actions Supporting Improved Metrorail Emergency Response: Update on First Responder Training, ROCC Liaison, and Underground Communications Study Presentation to WMATA Safety and Security Committee October 22, 2015
Outline Introduction Metrorail First Responder Training Regional Fire/EMS ROCC Liaison Metrorail Underground Communication Study 2
Fire/EMS Metrorail Training Overview Fire/EMS Department and WMATA joint training dates to first Metrorail operations. Incident reviews resulted in additional policies and training in the 2014-15 update of regional Metrorail training for first responders. Communications Study recommendations supports implementation as outlined: Implementation Regional Fire/EMS/ Metrorail Policy and Procedures Agreement 2015 revisions approved and are being implemented. Training, the ROCC liaison position and underground radio system testing added Regional Metrorail Training Manual is completed and approved by Fire Chiefs Committee. WMATA is tracking and reporting first responder Metrorail training. Agencies preparing formal regional first responder training tracking report. Regional Fire/EMS and WMATA quarterly functional exercises and Joint Supervisory Training are formalized. Tactical BDA deployment training is in development. 3
Fire/EMS Liaison to the Metrorail ROCC Overview Goal: Improve regional Metrorail emergency response and coordination between jurisdiction agencies and WMATA Position was initiated in June 2015 Update Staff: Fairfax County Fire Captain with DC Fire/EMS and Prince George s County Fire Departments to support Supported for 8 hours/day, 5 days per week with WMATA funding for one year. Liaison position results include improved situational awareness, response times and logistics, jurisdictional and incident communications and overall collaboration. Permanent position with 24/7 coverage recommended in the Communications Study. Fire Chiefs, WMATA and COG working to identify continued funding. Interim goal: 16 hours/day on weekdays; Long-term goal 24/7, 365 days/year. 4
MWCOG Committees: Metrorail Safety Technical Committees Fire Chiefs Committee Communication Subcommittee & Tactical BDA Work Group Passenger Rail Safety Subcommittee Senior Ops Committee Fire/EMS/Police Joint Communications Committee Metro Underground Communications Study Workgroup Police Chiefs Committee Communications Subcommittee 9-1-1 Directors Committee Metrorail Subcommittee Policy Committees MWCOG Board of Directors ational Capital Region Emergency Preparedness Council ational Capital Region Transportation Planning Board Senior Management Committees Chief Administrative Officers Committee Chief Information Officers Committee Regional PIO Committee (RESF 15) Regional Transportation Emergency Preparedness Committee (RESF 1) 5
Metrorail Underground Communications Study: Background Overview Metrorail communications infrastructure is complex and challenging. eed for Improvement recognized prior to January 12 th incident. MWCOG Committees were considering and revising policies and procedures, Metrorail training and a liaison position in the ROCC. Metrorail jurisdiction first responders and WMATA were evaluating existing communications systems challenges. First responders implemented tactical BDA deployment and other strategies Following January 12 th First responder radio system testing protocols were developed, frequency increased; Radio system outages, 9-1-1 calling and training were assessed; Senator Warner requested an outside comprehensive study to evaluate Metrorail communication systems and procedures for first responders. 6
MWCOG with DC HSEMA, established the ad hoc Metrorail Communications Study Committee and initiated the study Study Conducted April July 2015 Purpose: Provide a comprehensive study of the WMATA underground communications systems, to include: Evaluation of systems effectiveness and interoperability with regional partners Recommendations for effective communication and emergency response in the Metrorail system Study Components: Technical tests and measurements Policy and procedure review Interviews ew Radio Systems RFP Review & Comments Comparable transit system research 21 Recommendations Linked to Findings ear Term: Existing Systems & Procedures Long Term: ew Systems & Procedures Prioritized & Incorporated into WMATA and COG committee work plans 7
Metro Underground Communications Study Technical Working Group DC HSEMA Jeff Wobbleton, Technical Project Manager Chris Geldart, Director MWCOG Public Safety Communications Subcommittee Chief Scott Boggs, Prince William County Fire Chiefs Committee On behalf of Chairman Bashoor Wayne McBride, Prince George s County 9-1-1 Directors Committee Steve Souder, Fairfax County (Chairman) COG Staff Stuart Freudberg Dave McMillion, Administrative Project Manager Lisa Ragain WMATA Chief Ron Pavlik, MTP Marshall Epler Consulting Team Obsidian Analysis, Inc. Televate, LLC Added For Implementation Phase COG CAOs representative COG CIOs representative Police Chiefs representative 8
Metrorail Communication Infrastructure: Four Systems Comprehensive Radio Communications System (CRCS) - Supports WMATA and MTPD operational communications - Digital Audio System (DAS) with bi-directional amplifiers (BDAs) - 400 MHz range Public Safety System Radio System (PSRS) - Public safety agency dedicated radio system - DAS and BDAs separate from CRC - 700-800 MHz range Verizon Commercial Wireless System - Supports commercial mobile phone usage - Legacy Bell Atlantic system - Only Verizon and Sprint accessible eutral Host System - ext-generation commercial wireless system - Supports the 4 major carriers - Installed and operational only in stations, no tunnel service - Project suspended due to subcontractor bankruptcy in 2013 9
Study Recommendation Status and Funding ear Term L Long Term WMATA Funded Region Funded Funding eeded Cellular Carriers COG Committee Budget Ongoing Implementation Procurement Assessment & Planning Coordination L L L L L L L Recommendation ew Cable ew BDA PSRS/CSRS Install PA System Radio Testing ROD Map Maintenance Records Inventory Verizon Legacy eutral Host Cable for Cellular Service Monitor FCC ext Gen 9-1-1 Interoperability Information Sharing CAD to CAD Interface ROCC Liaison Deploy Back-ups CCTV & Video Shares Training Continue Study Group Radio Communication Infrastructure & Systems Operations and Maintenance Cellular Service 9-1-1 Dispatch Regional Coordination 10
Radio Communication and Infrastructure Systems WMATA: ew Cable Prioritize installation of new leaky coaxial cable in tunnels with known radio performance issues before areas of the system in better condition ew BDA - Replace existing fiber-optic PSRS BDA head-ends in Metrorail with new remote controlled units with real-time monitoring. PSRS/CSRS Install - Replace existing PSRS radio system at the same time the CRCS radio system is replaced. Use 700/800 MHz system as the primary PSRS interface with redundancy from the Inter RF Subsystem Interface (ISSI). PA System - Explore direct ROCC transmission to the train PA system for emergencies. Radio Communication Infrastructure & Systems Ongoing Implementation Procurement Assessment & Planning Coordination Recommendation L ew Cable ew BDA L PSRS/CSRS Install PA System 11
Operations and Maintenance WMATA Radio Testing - Conduct routine detailed uplink, downlink, and noise signal-level testing throughout Metrorail tunnels. Daily tests are recommended, at a minimum weekly. ROD Map - Enhance online radio outage display to provide information on all known problem areas. Maintenance Records - Develop a testing system to record and track changes of communication systems: noise, signal levels, BDA parameters, and locations. Inventory - Maintain a sufficient parts inventory to avoid related outages and track repair delays by equipment shortages. 12
Cellular Service Verizon, WMATA, MWCOG Verizon Legacy Verizon Wireless should repair and maintain existing system to restore 9-1-1 service for Verizon/Sprint customers. Work with the Cellular Carrier Team to correct 9-1-1 calling capabilities while building eutral Host. WMATA, MWCOG and Metrorail Jurisdictions eutral Host - Prioritize cable support installation in areas with poor Verizon Wireless service. Request Cellular Carrier Team to build in priority areas first. 13
Cellular Service WMATA, MWCOG and Metrorail Jurisdictions Cable for Cellular Service - Work with the Cellular Carrier Team to pursue rapid reinstatement and an accelerated build of the eutral Host system. MWCOG 9-1-1 Directors Monitor the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proceedings on location accuracy. ext Gen 9-1-1 - Review with the Cellular Carrier Team all possibilities in the Metrorail system to support known features of ext Generation 9-1-1, including text-to-9-1-1. 14
9-1-1 Service WMATA and Metrorail Jurisdictions: Interoperability - Enhance law enforcement interoperability technology and protocols and determine if other communication sharing capabilities are more efficient. CAD-to-CAD - Initiate a study on the feasibility of a CAD-to-CAD interface to facilitate information flow for Metrorail incidents. WMATA and MWCOG 9-1-1 Directors: Information Sharing - Adopt a standard protocol for interagency information sharing during Metrorail emergency response. 15
Regional Coordination MWCOG, CR Jurisdictions and WMATA: ROCC Liaison - Staff a permanent public safety liaison during all operating hours at the ROCC. WMATA should integrate this liaison into its emergency operations. Metrorail Jurisdictions: Deploy Back-ups - Anticipate radio communication problems for all Metrorail emergency response and always deploy backup communication strategies such as tactical BDAs. 16
Regional Coordination WMATA and Metrorail Jurisdictions CCTV - Collaborate to increase tunnel video feeds (CCTV) monitoring and provide first responder agencies with real-time access Training- Engage in systematic preparedness planning including a comprehensive training and exercise program. MWCOG Continue Study Group - Sponsor the Metro Communications Study Committee to provide oversight for the implementation of recommendations. 17
Communications Study ext Steps Metro Underground Communications Study Work Group Study implementation, oversight, facilitation and coordination Implement funded recommendations with ongoing oversight by relevant COG committees Complete cost estimates for additional recommendations and identify funding Develop and implement procedures and protocols Implement training and exercises and evaluate/refine WMATA Safety & Security Committee Quarterly reporting to continue throughout implementation 18