After Flames Engulf SEPTA Train, Union’s Commitment to Safety, Training is Emphasized  

A SEPTA train en route from Philadelphia to Wilmington, Delaware caught fire during the conclusion of the evening rush hour Thursday evening.   
 
Riders have described smelling smoke before conductors instructed them to move to the back of the train and prepare to disembark. All 350 passengers were evacuated safely, and no additional injuries were reported.  

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched an investigation late last week, assisted by SMART-TD’s national safety team, who are parties to these investigations. While the fire is still under investigation, the incident underscores the importance of well-trained conductors in situations such as these. 

Good Training Makes a Difference 

SMART-TD’s Deputy National Safety and Legislative Director Jared Cassity directly addressed the significance of thorough training during a Congressional hearing last month. Both the number of conductors present, and the depth of their training have been eroding over the last several years. 

“We have got to get back to taking on training—not focusing on regulatory minimums and only doing what’s required by the regulation, but actually owning safety and making sure that our folks are comfortable in their own skin when they’re at work and aware of what’s going on, what changes have been made, and how to do the job effectively and efficiently,” Cassity said.  

SMART-TD is Committed to Safety 

STA General Chairperson Raymond Boyer confirmed that the crew that was on duty Thursday evening were SMART-TD members and praised the quick-thinking that likely prevented a much bigger emergency from taking place. 

“The train crew demonstrated exceptional professionalism by quickly recognizing the danger and safely evacuating everyone without injuries,” Boyer said.  

Safety is a hallmark of this union, and we will never lose sight of our commitment to the people who use our essential services every day.  

While NTSB investigators work to determine exactly what caused the fire and if additional safety or precautionary measures could have been taken, we encourage our members to stay alert, and to revisit their training in preparation for potential emergencies.  

Whether on the rails or on the road, SMART-TD will continue to advocate for thorough safety training and education, both for our members to protect themselves while on the job and the traveling public.  

Additional Reading: The Importance of Training 
 
Amtrak’s Deadly Cost-Cutting Measures: A Conductor’s Story ► 
 
De-escalation training helps conductors avert potential Amtrak disaster ►