FRA Emergency Response Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a train derailment involves a hazardous materials release, what is the FIRST action a crew member should take?
- Attempt to identify the hazmat placard before evacuating
- Protect themselves and move upwind and uphill from the scene (Correct answer)
- Immediately contact the shipper for material safety data
- Begin cleanup operations to contain the spill
Correct answer: Protect themselves and move upwind and uphill from the scene
Self-protection is the top priority; crew must move upwind and uphill to avoid exposure before taking any other action.
Question 2: Under FRA regulations, within how many minutes must a railroad notify the National Response Center after discovering a hazardous materials release?
- 30 minutes (Correct answer)
- 60 minutes
- 90 minutes
- 120 minutes
Correct answer: 30 minutes
49 CFR Part 171.15 requires immediate telephonic notification to the NRC, generally within 30 minutes of discovering a reportable hazmat incident.
Question 3: A locomotive engineer experiences sudden incapacitation while operating at 60 mph. What system is designed to automatically apply the brakes in this situation?
- Automatic Train Control (ATC)
- Alerter / Vigilance Device (Correct answer)
- Emergency Brake Valve (EBV)
- Positive Train Control (PTC) override
Correct answer: Alerter / Vigilance Device
The alerter (vigilance device) monitors engineer activity and applies emergency brakes if no acknowledgment is made within a set time interval.
Question 4: During an emergency evacuation of passenger cars, which door should be used if the primary exit is blocked by fire?
- The vestibule door on the opposite end of the car
- Any window marked as an emergency exit (Correct answer)
- The engineer's cab door
- The roof hatch only
Correct answer: Any window marked as an emergency exit
Windows designated as emergency exits are intended for use when primary doors are inaccessible, and are marked accordingly in passenger rail cars.
Question 5: What does the term 'Big Hole' refer to in railroad emergency braking?
- A gap in the rail causing a derailment hazard
- Full emergency brake application by opening the brake pipe to atmosphere (Correct answer)
- The emergency hatch on a tank car
- A sudden drop in track elevation requiring speed reduction
Correct answer: Full emergency brake application by opening the brake pipe to atmosphere
'Big Hole' is railroad slang for a full emergency application, where the engineer dumps the brake pipe pressure rapidly to initiate maximum braking force.
Question 6: When stopped due to an emergency and protecting the rear of the train, how far back must fusees or warning devices be placed on a main track?
- At least 300 feet
- At least 1,000 feet (Correct answer)
- At least 2,500 feet
- At least 5,000 feet
Correct answer: At least 1,000 feet
FRA rules and operating practices generally require warning devices to be placed at least 1,000 feet to the rear to provide adequate stopping distance for following trains.
Question 7: A crew member discovers a defective angle cock on a freight car mid-trip. What is the appropriate emergency response?
- Continue to the next terminal and report it upon arrival
- Set out the car at the next available location and report the defect (Correct answer)
- Wire the angle cock open and proceed at reduced speed
- Call the dispatcher and request a waiver to finish the trip
Correct answer: Set out the car at the next available location and report the defect
A defective angle cock compromises brake integrity; the car must be set out and the defect reported to prevent a loss of braking on the train.
FRA Emergency Response Procedures 2
When a train derailment involves a hazardous materials release, what is the FIRST action a crew member should take?