Brochures Detail Emergency Procedures

Over 250,000 copies of a new "Emergency and Evacuation Instructions" brochure are being distributed in June as seat drops on the MTA Long Island Rail Road and MTA Metro-North Railroad.

Car cards have already been posted in the subways describing what to do in emergency situations and the new brochure provides similar information to commuter customers.

The trifold brochure focuses on the key elements of safety in all emergencies: reporting emergencies to the crew; remaining in the train unless the train crew instructs or helps passengers to do so; following instructions of the crew and rescue, fire, or police personnel. It also includes a copy of the safety instructions that are posted in all trains, along with photos showing typical placement of safety signage on trains.

Most emergencies can be handled without taking passengers off a train, and emergency evacuation of subways and trains does not occur often. In fact, the brochure points out, the safest place for riders is usually on the train because the tracks may still be electrified and other trains may still be in motion around the affected train. It also notes that the emergency brake should only be used when the motion of the train presents an imminent danger to life and limb. If it is pulled, the brakes have to be reset before the train can move again, reducing the options for dealing with the emergency.

Both the car cards and the brochure are part the MTA’s effort to ensure that customers are fully aware of what to do in a variety of emergency situations.

The back panel of the brochure includes an “If you see something, say something” ad that calls attention to the 1-888-NYC-SAFE phone number to call to report suspicious activity.