BOSTON: Next Monday, Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt, Bristol County Fire Chiefs Association President Scott Kruger, and Senator Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport) and Representative Bill Straus (D-Mattapoisett) will join forces at the Freetown MBTA Commuter Rail lot to present an MBTA Southcoast Rail Rescue vehicle. In the event of an emergency train-related disaster, the Emergency Rescue Rail equipment will give local fire and emergency medical services the tools they need. With the full backing of the South Coast delegation, the representative proposed an amendment authorizing the $900K in funding for the safety equipment related to the South Coast Rail service, which was approved in the Transportation Bond Bill of 2022.
Rep. Straus, the House Chair of the Joint Transportation Committee, expressed his satisfaction at witnessing the usage of this essential piece of technology. The South Coast delegation, our emergency responders, and the Healey Administration worked together to make sure our emergency services had the necessary emergency gear. Chief Kruger and Secretary Tibbits-Nutt deserve special recognition for their efforts.
Seeing this emergency preparedness demonstration up close makes me very happy. Since they deserve the newest in emergency services equipment, I am grateful to these courageous first responders who risk their lives every day. We can never be safe enough in the world we live in today. The Senate Committee on Ways and Means Chair Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), who also represents Freetown, stated that he is excited for South Coast Rail service to start in the spring of 2025.
As part of the safety training for the launch of South Coast Rail passenger service, the MBTA held an emergency evacuation drill in New Bedford in November 2023. The purchase and use of the Emergency Rail Rescue vehicles will be the focus of the presentation next week.
Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt expressed gratitude to Representative Straus, Senator Rodrigues, the regional delegation, local authorities, and other community members for assisting the MBTA in preparing for emergency response in the event that South Coast Rail ever needs it. In May 2025, the MBTA is expected to begin passenger rail service, and we are certain that we have the tools and training necessary in case there is ever an incident involving local fire, police, or ambulance personnel on the line. We should praise our First Responder agencies for their proactive participation in emergency drills, identification of equipment requirements, and support of the necessary measures to acquire new tools to save lives.
The purchase of a wide range of rescue vehicles and equipment gives the fire departments in the areas that Southcoast Rail will soon serve the tools they need to respond to any train-related emergency with excellence. The Bristol County Fire Chiefs Association members would want to express their gratitude to the numerous legislators and government representatives that helped make this equipment purchase possible. For their persistent efforts, we would especially want to thank PFFM Secretary/Treasurer Billy Cabral, the Southcoast Delegation, and Representative Straus.
Safety will always come first, and it’s critical to make sure heroic first responders are adequately prepared through emergency reaction drills. Phillip Eng, general manager and CEO of the MBTA, stated that by holding situational exercises prior to the start of South Coast Rail service, first responders can get a firsthand look at the kinds of difficulties that may arise, including determining what extra equipment is required to save lives in the event of an incident along this corridor. We are thankful to the delegation, municipal partners, emergency responders, Senator Rodrigues, Representative Straus, and others who proactively saw the need for this equipment and collaborated to obtain the required money. With the knowledge that local emergency personnel are trained and equipped, we look forward to providing South Coast Rail service to the general public.
In May 2025, South Coast Rail is expected to go into service.
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