Warminster Fire Dept. in conjunction with SEPTA held a training session on Sunday morning October 28, 2012. The scenario involved a SEPTA train containing 2 train cars hitting a passenger car on the train tracks in Warminster Township.

The morning started out with breakfast and a safety briefing at station 90 attended by approximately 200 people. SEPTA stopped all train traffic between Willow Grove train station and the Warminster train station and all power was de-energized during the training evolution.

Bucks County Communications dispatched companies for a train accident and the evolution was underway.

As chief officers started arriving it was determined the incident was on the tracks just north of Countyline Rd across from 100 park Ave. The scene was assessed and it was determined that there was a two car passenger train derailed on the tracks and a car was overturned down an embankment after being struck by the passenger train. Crews were tasked with scene safety prior to entering the train tracks. Companies were detailed to the overturned vehicle with 2 subjects inside.

Once crews made it to the train and made access, it was determined there were approximately 25 patients on board with different levels of injuries from walking wounded to class five patients. Warminster Ambulance was the first EMS onsite and started to triage the patients. Additional resources were dispatched and all hands went in service.

Ground ladders had to be placed on the slopes of the terrain to allow for ingress and egress. Fire Fighters worked with the EMS personnel to package and remove victims as needed. It was determined that the train conductor was ejected from the train and trapped under train number two. Crews worked with SEPTA safety crews to use airbags to lift the train from its wheels so they could gain access to the conductor.

After the evolution was complete a critique of the incident was held and lunch was provided back at station 90.

Other participating departments included: Hartsville Fire Co., Hatboro Fire Co., Willow Grove Fire Co., Warrington Fire Co., Upper Southampton Fire Co. and Northampton Fire Co. EMS units involved included Warminster Ambulance, Warrington Community Ambulance, Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad and Central Bucks Ambulance.