Metro News Release

For immediate release: May 22, 2003

The Regional Fire Chiefs recognize Metro’s CEO for his continued efforts in helping reduce number of fire and smoke incidents in Metrorail System

At today’s Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) Board Safety Committee meeting, the Metropolitan Council of Governments recognized Metro’s CEO, Richard A. White, for his strong commitment to fire safety issues at Metro and for his leadership in helping reduce the number of fire and smoke incidents over the last two years. "We are very appreciative to Mr. White for his clear commitment to fire and life safety issues at Metro," said Edward Stillwell, Vice Chair for the Council of Governments Fire Chiefs Committee. "As a result of Mr. White’s strong leadership, Metro and the fire services in the Washington Metropolitan region enjoy a productive partnership that is unparalleled in the United States." In Fiscal Year 2003 (July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003) fire and smoke incidents inside the Metrorail system dropped dramatically, according to Metro’s top safety official. Overall, fire and smoke incidents dropped from 49 reported incidents in fiscal year 2001 (July 1, 2000, to June 30, 2001) to 20 incidents in FY 2002 (July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002) to just four reported incidents through the first and second quarters of fiscal year 2003, according to Fred Goodine, Metro’s Assistant General Manager for System Safety and Risk Protection. "There are several reasons as to why we have reduced the number of fire and smoke incidents in the Metrorail system," said Mr. Goodine. "We continuously clean our rail insulators; we improved our housekeeping conditions inside our stations; we provide fire extinguisher training for station managers and rail operators; and we have increased public awareness announcements reminding customers to take newspapers with them. As a result, we have seen a sharp reduction in the number of these incidents over the last three years." "We have a comprehensive plan that involves cleaning and replacing insulators," said Lem Proctor, Metro’s Chief Operating Officer for Rail. "Last year, we replaced 5,000 insulators and cleaned 29,231 insulators system wide, with the majority on the Red Line. Cleaning and replacing these insulators is critical in maintaining reliable service throughout the Metrorail system." Insulators are pieces of porcelain located every 10 feet on Metrorail’s trackbeds that shore up the 750-volt electrified third rail. Because of their composition, they generally do not conduct electricity. However, in some cases, these insulators overheat and then smolder or appear to be arcing, or giving off sparks -- similar to what occurs at times on overhead power lines. As a result of the April 20, 2000, tunnel fire incident, Metro officials moved to ensure that all rail operators and station managers were properly trained to use a fire extinguisher. "After the April 20th incident, we recognized the need to make sure our rail operators and station managers were properly trained, and could respond appropriately in the event of a smoke or fire incident on the track or inside a station," said Mr. Goodine. "With the assistance of Montgomery, Prince George’s, and the Fairfax County Fire Departments, hands-on fire training commenced for all rail operators and stations managers in February 2001. Today, over 1,000 rail operators and station managers have successfully completed fire extinguisher training, and all new employees must attend this training class as well." Another reason for the decrease in smoke and fire incidents is improved housekeeping conditions inside Metrorail stations. Throughout the day, and during the overnight hours when the rail system is closed, maintenance personnel are inside stations cleaning and conducting preventive maintenance. "We have reminded our work crews that when they finish their assignment to remove construction materials or to store them in the appropriate location so it’s not placed near the rail tracks," said Mr. Goodine. "An item left near the track could result in a Metrorail train making contact with that item. These renewed efforts have helped decrease the risk of a fire or smoke incident." A fourth reason for the decline in smoke and fire incidents is increased public awareness announcements inside trains and stations reminding customers to take their newspapers and other items before leaving the train and platform and to dispose of newspapers in the trash and recycling bins located near the farecard and faregate machines. "We have made a concerted effort to remind our customers to take their newspapers with them before leaving the train, and we are seeing fewer newspapers left on the trains and platforms," said Mr. Proctor. "As a result of the September 11, 2001, incidents, we removed trash receptacles and newspaper recycling bins from station platforms. We made several adjustments to these receptacles and installed them near the farecard and faregates inside our stations. It took some time for our customers to become familiar with the new locations. Now, our customers know where the trash cans and recycling bins are located and why they were placed there. With fewer newspapers left on the platform, it reduces the chance of newspapers flying on the track, potentially causing a smoke incident. We thank our customers for their understanding and patience and at the same time, continually remind them to help keep the rail system clean." "In the nearly three years since the April 20, 2000, incident between Foggy Bottom and Farragut West, we have seen a sharp reduction in the number of smoke and fire incidents," said Mr. White. "This is a result of a strong commitment from our Metrorail employees making sure our stations are clean, removing construction items from inside our stations, and participating in training. Most importantly, our customers have been doing their part in keeping the system clean. As a result of a joint effort between Metro and the 650,000 customers who use the system each weekday, we have seen a decrease in the number of smoke and fire incidents. I would like to thank our employees and our customers for their dedication and loyalty and for keeping the Metrorail system safe and clean."

News release issued on May 22, 2003.