PRINTER'S NO. 1865
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
402
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY TAYLOR, DONATUCCI, SONNEY, BISHOP, BENNINGHOFF,
ROZZI, DUSH, REGAN, HENNESSEY, THOMAS, KIM, CONKLIN, PICKETT,
HARKINS, FRANKEL, GREINER, QUIGLEY, BAKER, KIRKLAND,
LONGIETTI, BOBACK, BARRAR, DiGIROLAMO, HELM, READSHAW,
KILLION, BOYLE, McNEILL, HICKERNELL, C. PARKER, MILLARD,
J. HARRIS, SCHLOSSBERG, CORBIN, V. BROWN, O'NEILL, SAMUELSON,
HEFFLEY, YOUNGBLOOD, KINSEY, CALTAGIRONE, O'BRIEN, HARHART,
KOTIK, COHEN, DAY, ROSS, KAUFFMAN, STAATS, DRISCOLL, MARSICO,
W. KELLER, MURT, WHEELAND, MAJOR, GROVE, SANKEY, MAHONEY,
COX, GOODMAN, A. HARRIS, PAYNE, BRIGGS, WHITE, MATZIE,
M. K. KELLER, FARINA, DAVIDSON, GINGRICH, GILLEN, PHILLIPS-
HILL, WATSON, WARD AND D. COSTA, JUNE 23, 2015
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JUNE 23, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Noting the timely and coordinated actions of emergency personnel
and the Mayor of the City of Philadelphia following an Amtrak
derailment in Port Richmond May 12, 2015, and praising the
particular initiative of area residents and volunteers.
WHEREAS, Eight passengers lost their lives when the
northbound Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 188 derailed at the
Frankford Junction curve; and
WHEREAS, More than 200 survivors sustained injuries,
including major trauma; and
WHEREAS, The nighttime, mass-casualty incident required a
four-alarm response; and
WHEREAS, Workers and equipment were deployed and coordinated
to locate the dead and evacuate the injured; and
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WHEREAS, Downed power lines were disconnected, and train
traffic was discontinued; and
WHEREAS, Multiple passenger cars had tipped, leaned or nearly
overturned, presenting unique challenges for responders; and
WHEREAS, Telecommunications, lighting and technical rescue
operations were key elements of the lifesaving effort; and
WHEREAS, Skilled emergency medical transportation, debris
removal and cleanup were other essential services; and
WHEREAS, Police, including SEPTA Transit Police officers,
Amtrak Police officers, Philadelphia Housing Authority Police
officers and canine officers, were among the waves of
responders; and
WHEREAS, Rescue teams, including members of Pennsylvania Task
Force 1, and firefighters, including members of Philadelphia
Fire Department Ladder 10 and Battalion 10, as well as medics
and emergency management officials, worked to free survivors
from the wreckage and clear the crash area; and
WHEREAS, Volunteer groups, including representatives of the
American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the Second Alarmers,
provided support at emergency-related sites; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Michael Nutter, Mayor of the City of
Philadelphia, admirably led and coordinated city operations and
interventions; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Nutter directed city resources to help crash-
affected persons and advance recovery and cleanup; and
WHEREAS, Working with other officials, Mayor Nutter provided
updates on casualties and accounted for each person on the
Amtrak manifest; and
WHEREAS, Residents appeared at the scene to give bottled
water and other support to emergency workers; and
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WHEREAS, Other residents generously opened their homes for
the benefit of responders and victims; and
WHEREAS, The House of Representatives salutes the training,
professionalism and selflessness of all responders; and
WHEREAS, The House of Representatives further commends Mayor
Nutter's distinguished leadership and the abundant community
spirit engendered by this singular, tragic event; therefore be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives note the timely
and coordinated actions of emergency personnel and the Mayor of
the City of Philadelphia following an Amtrak derailment in Port
Richmond May 12, 2015, and praise the particular initiative of
area residents and volunteers; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
Mayor Michael Nutter at the Office of the Mayor, Room 215, City
Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
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