Mid-Region Council of Governments

New Mexico Rail Runner Express hosts Full Scale Emergency Preparedness Exercise
(December 15, 2022—Albuquerque, NM) – Emergency responders from across New Mexico will get an opportunity to respond to a “Real Time” emergency aboard the New Mexico Rail Runner Express just south of the Amtrak station in Downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico. A full scale emergency preparedness exercise has been set up to allow members from area law enforcement, fire, and rescue agencies to test their skills in the event of a true railway disaster. The event is being hosted by the Albuquerque Fire Department and Albuquerque Police Department.
“This Full Scale Exercise is critical”, says Dewey Cave, Executive Director for the Mid-Region Council of Governments. “Responders will display their newly-acquired proficiencies with everything from how to deal with multiple injuries to evacuating passengers through train windows. It’s very useful, especially when you consider the fact that the train travels through a 100-mile corridor right in the heart of New Mexico several times a day.”
About 15-20 emergency responders from various agencies throughout Albuquerque will assist. Some of the responders have spent the prior week in classroom and hands-on instruction leading up to the Exercise. We are looking for “volunteer victims” who will be placed in different areas of the passenger cars, which will aid the emergency responders in practicing their knowledge and skills on how to handle emergency situations.

Thank you immensely for donating your time and energies to help us create a realistic, robust Full Scale Exercise. Please arrive, park, and be ready to attend a mandatory safety briefing by 9:00 am After this briefing, volunteers will be placed inside the train cars until the scheduled Exercise start time at 09:30 am.  Volunteers will not be permitted to participate if they arrive late and miss the safety briefing. The exercise will end by 1:00p.m.

Your safety is our number one priority. Keep in mind that the Exercise site is nearby to live train tracks: always watch your footing, be aware of your surroundings, and help us by reporting any unsafe behaviors to an Exercise Controller immediately. Please adhere to these volunteer guidelines, to ensure a safe, exciting, and secure turn-out:

• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Some of your time will be inside a train car, as well as outside. The weather should be chilly, so bring a jacket, scarf, gloves, etc.
• Come prepared with a signed waiver/release form. Those without a form will be rejected from participation; this is our way of controlling who is present, and avoiding any trespassers
• Watch your footing at all times: step over rails; always cross at least 25 feet in front of any standing railroad cars or equipment; look both ways before crossing any tracks
• No alcohol, drugs, or weapons are permitted on railroad property
• Unless you are specifically instructed otherwise, please follow all directions given by Exercise Players or Controllers (Fire, Police, and railroad personnel)
• In the event of an actual emergency, the term “FREEZE EX” will be used to cease all Exercise play. This will stop all scenarios and activities, so that emergency responders can attend to the real-life emergency as needed
• If you have to attend to your own, urgent personal matters, please alert an Exercise Controller (wearing an orange vest) to let them know that you are leaving

With your help, we hope to hold a successful Full Scale Exercise. Thank you for your participation! If you have any questions, please e-mail LNauman@mrcog-nm.gov, or call my cell phone at 505-814-3086.

Thank you,

Elizabeth Nauman

Safety Coordinator, New Mexico Rail Runner Express