Grand Central Terminal, NY, October 16, 2010 – Metro-North Railroad conducted their 28th annual drill officially known as the ‘Emergency Preparedness Exercise’. NYPD, FDNY, Amtrak, NY State EMT and MTA PD participated in the Metro-North sponsored drill while Amtrak, TSA and other agencies observed the activity on track 15.
Metro-North President Howard Permut and MTA Chairman Walder spoke before the exercise began. The message delivered was that this time the focus would be on a railroad emergency instead of handling bomb threats as done in recent years. They added that the purpose of this real-life situation was to keep the skills of the first responders sharp.
The exercise began after every one reported to GCT’s track 15 and entered the Bombardier-built 85-foot commuter cab car and heard the instructions given to the participants, conductors and locomotive engineers being given their situational training. They were to follow the instructions on the activity cards given to them with no variation. After the observers left the car, it was show time.
In a real time accident scenario, a train would figuratively hit the bumper block and derail, and two serious and several other less-serious injuries would occur. The two ‘serious’ ones would be the engineer with severed limbs and a passenger would have whiplash. Both would be taken off the train in ‘spine stretchers’ and moved out of Grand Central on gurneys to waiting ambulances at an impromptu crisis command center on 42nd Street and fire trucks located on Vanderbilt Avenue.
In reality, various federal, state and local first responder agencies would respond and have their own jurisdictional responsibilities, but for the most part groups such as the TSA were observers.
I observed a high-level of professionalism and efficiency by the participants. Everyone performed their duties quickly and with a sense of urgency. Videographers from the different groups shot video that would be examined later for grading. From my eyes, the drill was a resounding success.
The exercise began after every one reported to GCT’s track 15 and entered the Bombardier-built 85-foot commuter cab car and heard the instructions given to the participants, conductors and locomotive engineers being given their situational training. They were to follow the instructions on the activity cards given to them with no variation. After the observers left the car, it was show time.
In a real time accident scenario, a train would figuratively hit the bumper block and derail, and two serious and several other less-serious injuries would occur. The two ‘serious’ ones would be the engineer with severed limbs and a passenger would have whiplash. Both would be taken off the train in ‘spine stretchers’ and moved out of Grand Central on gurneys to waiting ambulances at an impromptu crisis command center on 42nd Street and fire trucks located on Vanderbilt Avenue.
I observed a high-level of professionalism and efficiency by the participants. Everyone performed their duties quickly and with a sense of urgency. Videographers from the different groups shot video that would be examined later for grading. From my eyes, the drill was a resounding success.
The new curbs might be illegal.
October, 2010, New York, NY – The Italians have invaded Manhattan once again with their annual Italian History Month and Columbus Day month-long celebrations. The Columbus Citizen’s Foundation sponsors the annual event that includes an exhibit in Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall, gala dinner, wreath-laying at Columbus Circle and culminated by the world-famous Columbus Day parade while celebrating Italian-American heritage on New York's Fifth Avenue since 1929.
This Foundation is a non-profit organization in New York City. They are committed to fostering an appreciation of Italian-American heritage and achievement through a broad range of philanthropic and cultural activities. They provide opportunities for deserving Italian-American students to gain academic advancement with scholarships and grant programs.
As always, an Italian automobile is featured in Grand Central Terminal’s main concourse. This year, it’s the Maserati Granturismo convertible that will be raffled off with tickets costing $1000 each – certainly not for the faint of heart or the wallet for that matter. It is all for a good cause and this year’s model is no exception. It arrived on the floor on October 1st.
The giant-sized posters are also on the columns of the grandest rail terminal in the country. Featured is Grand Marshal Maria Bartiromo (CNBC anchor) along with honorees Joseph Ficalora, Enrico Gaglioti, Maurice Greenberg, Ken Langone (Home Depot founder), Robert LaPenta, Joseph Moglia, Joseph Plumeri and Peter Sidoti. Grand Marshal Maria Bartiromo and Enrico Gaglioti were both honored guests at the Italian American Museum’s annual gala of 2008.
