The FCVFRA training committee coordinated an important Multi-Unit-Drill (MUD) on Saturday, January 16th for volunteers to aid first responders in learning more about Virginia Railway Express (VRE) operations and response techniques.  Units participating in this drill included 4 Engines and 4 Ambulances from Springfield, Fair Oaks, Dunn Loring and Centerville along with a Command Officer and Canteen unit with 35 Firefighters and EMT's participating.

The day's event included a lecture from VRE staff on rail operations, equipment overviews and safety operations.   After the lecture, the teams moved to the VRE Facility at Manassas's Broad Run location.   From there, VRE provided hands on tour and familiarization of train engines and passanger cars, with emphasis of features such as:

* Access points for emergency brakes and fuel cut-offs
* Emergency door release access points and operations
* Wheel chair lift operations in powered and manual modes

After the tour and familiarization, teams conducted an incident simulation consisting of a reported "fire" in a passanger car and extrication of multiple "passangers" with varying medical conditions.

Upon completion of the drill, teams gathered for a de-brief and review of the simulation and overall days events.

A big THANKS goes out to Mark Servello, Corey Merdler, and the rest of the committee for putting together this exceptional training opprotunity and a special THANK YOU to the folks at VRE for taking their Saturday by providing the lecture and access to VRE equipment that made this day a huge success.

For more photos, see our VRE photo gallery.