LOWELL — The City of Lowell and the Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA) collaborated last week to conduct realistic, hands-on training to prepare firefighters to rescue people from an overturned bus.
It is believed this is the first time this training has been provided locally.
Crews from Ladder 3 and the Rescue participated in the training on Tuesday morning behind the LRTA Maintenance Facility on Hale Street.
The LRTA offered the Fire Department two decommissioned buses that are heading to the scrap yard. Assistant City Manager Shawn Machado and Department of Public Works Commissioner Paul St. Cyr coordinated with the LRTA to roll one bus onto its side. The DPW provided two front-end loaders to safely roll the 30-foot, 31,000-pound bus in a secure parking lot after diesel fuel was drained for safety.
Lowell Fire Capt. Herman Sousa prepared multi-faceted training scenarios for firefighters. Firefighters used cribbing to stabilize the bus, and hydraulic tools and Halligan pry bars to force their way inside. First responders rescued a person in a wheelchair from inside the bus, and another person who was partially trapped under the bus.
A second scenario saw firefighters use cribbing and lifting tools to lift a bus and rescue a person trapped under an axle.
Firefighters learned more about LRTA buses, and challenges associated with these types of rescues.
Lt. Michael Boldrighini, a paramedic, provided an overview of how triage and EMS responses would be conducted at a serious bus crash or mass casualty incident.
LRTA Director of Maintenance Nick Saltsman explained construction and operation of LRTA buses and detailed how diesel and hybrid electric engines work.
City Manager Thomas A. Golden, Jr., state Sen. Vanna Howard and state Rep. Tara Hong attended, as did representatives of PrideStar Trinity EMS and the state Department of Transportation.
LRTA General Manager George Anastas said the LRTA donated the buses to assist with Fire Department training and build relationships with Lowell Fire and the City.
Training video will be shared with the 13 other fire departments throughout the LRTA’s service area.
“Safety communitywide is our number one thing here at the LRTA,” said General Manager Anastas. “Ultimately, we want firefighters to know exactly how our buses are set up and the best way to conduct an emergency response and extraction.”
He said the LRTA is also building out a new fleet of buses and expanding service, so the agency wants to be prepared as even more vehicles head out into the community.
“Captain Sousa’s goal has always been to stay ahead of the curve with innovative training. With the LRTA’s new fleet, we are seeing different structural reinforcements and power systems. This training allows our crews to practice precise extraction techniques and learn the specific layouts of these buses before a high-stakes emergency occurs,” said Assistant Fire Chief David Keene. “Safety is a collaborative effort. Through this partnership with General Manager Anastas and the LRTA, Assistant City Manager Shawn Machado and DPW Commissioner Paul St Cyr, we are ensuring that our firefighters have the best possible preparation to protect the residents and commuters of Lowell.”
“The City of Lowell is driven by collaboration and partnerships between agencies and organizations, and this innovative, effective training opportunity is a great example of that,” said City Manager Golden. “This training improves the safety of everyone who rides the LRTA, and it enhances the skills of our firefighters. I am grateful to everyone who’s teamwork made this possible.”
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