San Jose Fire DepartmentVTA Emergency Response Drill

The San Jose Fire Department and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) had its annual Fire, Life & Safety full-scale drill last Tuesday, October 28, 2008. This training exercise gave first responders the opportunity to practice emergency preparedness and response prior to an actual emergency incident. The training was held along the Almaden Line, just south of the Ohlone/Chynoweth Light Rail Station.

The goal of the drill was to practice emergency response during an incident where VTA experiences a light rail accident. This scenario required the use of revised techniques and close coordination between several agencies using the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS). The exercise allowed agencies to learn more about each others resources and capabilities, while providing hands on training and safety for all emergency responders.

Participating San Jose Fire Department companies were E12, E13, T13, B13, and Med-30.

Posted by: CA Alberto Olmos, SJFD, PIO