11/05/2022
K&J Safety and Consulting Services Inc. (K&J) has recently completed both the largest team deployment and the longest duration for an on-site client visit in the company’s history. On September 10, 2022, a team of six K&J consultants arrived at the Honolulu Area Rapid Transit (HART) rail transit system at the request of Hitachi Rail Honolulu (HRH). The purpose of the on-site visit was to conduct independent observations of operational testing. The initial request called for the team to be on-site for 30 days; however, as the project progressed, HRH requested the K&J team stay be extended for an additional two weeks due to the quality of the team’s work product. All members of the K&J team readily agreed to support the client’s request.
HART is the first completely automated rail transit system in the United States. As the next step toward revenue service, Operational testing of several operating procedures was required to be conducted on Segment 1 of the system, which is a 10-mile section with 9 stations. Compliance with these procedures was demonstrated by conducting scenarios to replicate the situations where they will be applied. These scenarios were observed by and reported on by the K&J team and then sent to a review panel, which consisted of the top operational levels of the three agencies, to determine how well the tests were performed.
The K&J on-site testing team consisted of Anthony Chiappi, John Fardellone, David Hanson, Steven Marshall, John Morro and Bruce Parkin. The team brought over 175 years of combined experience in several areas of rail transit operations and emergency services. During the assignment, the team performed observations in the Operations Control Center (OCC) and various locations throughout the system, including passenger stations, trains, and the right of way. Team members were required to be on-site at 3:30 am and often stayed until 9:00 pm. The testing was conducted regardless of weather conditions. During the mission, the team deployed on 37 shifts observing and reporting on more than 100 scenarios.
On the final weekend of the assignment, the original six-member team was joined by four more K&J employees to conduct a full-scale exercise (FSE) to test the emergency response plan with HART personnel and Honolulu first responders. There were several core capabilities that the planning team established as the goals for the FSE. Those core capabilities were: Operational Coordination, Operational Communications, Critical Transportation, On-Scene Security and Protection, Mass Search & Rescue Operations, and Public Health/Healthcare/Medical Services.
The ex*****on of the October 22 FSE was the culmination of a four-year planning process that started with Incident Command and the National Incident Management System classes, as well as several tabletop exercises. The FSE is a Federal requirement intended to demonstrate that the RTA has the ability and resources necessary to effectively respond to a major incident or emergency on the system before allowing the agency to enter revenue service.
Alex Cachecho, K&J’s Fire Life Safety and Emergency Management Department Director, and Nicholas Boyd, K&J Project Director, led the FSE team. The FSE team was also supported by Ameed Shaban, K&J’s System Safety and Security Department Director, and Joel Cox. The FSE team coordinated with HRH, HART, DTS, first responders, and federal resources to plan a response to a derailed train with 50 passengers onboard. The team recruited local community members to voluntarily serve as passengers and victims for first responders to evacuate, treat and transport. The recruitment efforts exceeded the goal of 50 and reached a total of 64 volunteers. In addition to the first responders and volunteers, the K&J team also coordinated with more than 60 subject matter experts (SME) that served as evaluators, controllers and support staff.
Upon completing the FSE, evaluators must follow the FEMA Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) format to document their observations and recommendations. The K&J team will be reviewing the HSEEP forms and drafting an After Action Report with a list of systems and processes that worked well and those that are areas for improvement. The client will be provided with recommendations to address areas for improvement.
K&J provides the subject matter expertise needed to ensure safe, secure, and effective operations. We provide customized services based on the specific needs of the client. A full list of services K&J Consulting Services can be found at www.kjsafety.com.
