#wmata ERT arrived at Benning Rd at 10:45 to begin the investigation to find the source of the smoke/fire. The ERT team was given an incorrect chain marker (location) of the incident. The location of the incident command post also changed. As of 10:56 investigation hasn't begun.
A crew of #wmata employees has begun their walk to the reported source of the smoke/fire. The Emergency Response Team personnel were not with them.
Burnt debris has been identified as the possible source.
#wmata's Ops 2 controllers do not appear to have followed SOP 1A protocols ensuring personnel responding to incidents know their roles. The employee initially designated as the on-scene commander is part of the track investigation, leaving no liaison at the FD/PD command post.
#wmata Ops 2 controllers dispatched 2 rail supervisors to the scene as expected. However, both supervisors appear to have been part of the track investigation crew, rather than splitting duties & 1 remaining @ IC post to coordinate with MTPD & FD
Latest #wmata Silver Line update notes 17 open issues - 9 "unresolved" - with MWAA/construction, including 1 issue (cracked 3rd rail coverboard brackets) new since last month's update. The line will open no sooner than 3 months after handover from MWAA. wmata.com/about/board/me…
#wmata appendix lists all currently-open issues. Cracked concrete panels no longer on this list (which WMATA OIG issued its own report about - ggwash.org/view/78978/met…)
#wmata's "available track" metric came in better than expected in part due to Purple Line delays (shutdowns/single-tracking that would've impacted the Red Line for integration). wmata.com/about/board/me…
WMSC COO Samarasinghe is being made Acting CEO as Dr. Mayer is out on a personal leave of absence. The motion is retroactive to Feb 17th. Samarasinghe previously ran the Tri-State Oversight Committee (prior to FTA safety oversight, prior to the WMSC) #wmata
Well, folks, we've got delays. A #wmata rail supervisor is on scene and will be manually throwing the switch which trains cross over before arriving at Rosslyn towards DC. Until that happens, we're single-tracking around with 10+ minute holds.
Lisa Woodruff, a #wmata senior executive who the WMSC says broke safety protocols and instructed others to do so at the rail operations control center, is being appointed by Metro's Chief Operating Officer as his SVP for Business Process Development, overseeing 4 departments. 1/4
Woodruff was reassigned back in September, 2020, while #wmata investigated the allegations against her by the WMSC. Metro later issued a statement (wmata.com/about/news/Lit…) clearing her of direct wrongdoing (but agreed that a caustic environment at the ROCC existed) 2/4