RELIEF AND RESCUE EQUIPMENT

CHAPTER – VI

RELIEF AND RESCUE EQUIPMENT

601. Accident Relief Medical Equipment and Auxiliary van:-

The accident Relief Medical Equipment (ARME SCALE-I) and Auxiliary Van are stabled in
Station Yard. The function of ARME Scale-I is to carry Medical Equipments and personnel to
the site, for prompt Medical relief. The Auxiliary Van has provision of emergency tools for
extricating the injured persons from the debris etc. the list of Stations where ARME/ Auxiliary
van is stabled is given in Appendix 'A'. In case of accident involving or likely to involve injuries
or deaths, these shall be rushed to the site immediately.
602. Target time for turning out of Medical Relief Van from the siding and their despatch
from the Stations:-
(A) In case of double exit siding:-
Time for turning out ... 15"
Time for Despatch ... 5"
Time from ordering to Despatch … 20"
(B) In case of single exit siding:
Time for turning out ... 25"
CS. No.7 dtd. 30.5.2017 Add the Para No. 602(C) at page 41.

Time for Despatch ... 5"

Time from Ordering to Despatch ... 30"
Note: The above target time for turning out is reckoned, from the time for ordering to the time
they are taken out from the siding and kept ready for despatch on a suitable running line
plus 5 minutes for despatch.
(C) The target time for turning out of SPARME CUM SPART -
Wherever SPARME CUM SPART is available, target time for turning out from the
siding and their despatch from the Stations:-
(i) In case of double exit siding :-
Time for turning out ... 10"
Time for Despatch ... 10"
Time from Ordering to Despatch … 20"
(ii) In case of single exit siding :-
Time for turning out ... 20"
Time for Despatch ... 10"
Time from Ordering to Despatch ... 30"
603. Accident Relief Train:-
Accident Relief Train (ART) or Break down train is equipped to deal with relief, rescue and
restoration measures. Details about Accident Relief Trains are also given in Appendix 'A'.
604. Target Time for movement of Accident Relief Train:-
The target time for turning out of Accident Relief Train (ART) with complete equipment and staff
from the loco shed (or the place where it is stabled) and despatch from the station, are as under:
(A) During day :- Time for turning out ... 30"
Time for Despatch ... 15"
Target Time from ordering to departure ... 45"
(B) During night :- Time for turning out ... 45"
Time for Despatch ... 15"
Target Time from ordering to departure ... 60"

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Note: (i) Both the Target Times of 30" and 45" for turning out Accident Relief Train are to be reckoned
from the Time the Accident Relief Train is ordered, to the time the train reaches the loco shed
exit point. 15" time is the time permitted for departure from the Station. Any delay in ordering
for departure of Medical Van/ ART must be immediately examined and viewed seriously.
(ii) At Stations where the lay out of loco and traffic yard are such as to permit a reduction in the time
limits stipulated above, the Divisional Railway Manager should lay down shorter time limits.
605. Promptness in movement of ARME and ART :-
(A) If an engine is not readily available, the nearest engine of any train including Mail/ Express
trains should be released and utilised for expeditious despatch of these.
(B) ARME and ART must be given precedence over all other trains while proceeding to the site of
accident.
(C) ARME/ ART should not be detained for want of Guard but may leave in the charge of any
responsible Traffic/C&W/Loco Official. A guard may be sent by the quickest possible means
later on.
(D) ARME/ ART or any special relief train, carrying injured persons for removal to hospitals, must
also be given top most priority.
(E) The Accident Relief Trains after completing relief operations must be marshalled properly (
the crane should never be at the rear) at adjacent station before worked back to their base
stations without any delay and must be given precedence over all goods trains. Prior to
stabling at base station train must be marshalled as per crane marshalling order at any
suitable station.
606. Sounding of Accident alarm signals/ Hooters/ sirens:
The accident alarm siren/ Hooter must be sounded immediately when ARME/ ART is ordered.
Following codes are prescribed for sounding the accident alarm/ siren/ hooter:
CODE CIRCUMSTANCES
(i) Two long blasts each of 45 seconds Accident in loco sheds/ Traffic yards at
duration with 5 seconds break in between HOME STATION requiring only ART.
(ii) Three long blasts each of 45 seconds Accidents outside the home station
duration with 5 seconds break in between. requiring only ART.
(iii) Four long blasts each of 45 seconds Accident requiring both ARME and ART
duration with 5 seconds break in between.
(iv) One long blast of 90 seconds duration Cancellation of ARME/ ART

Note:(i) The alarm signals/ sirens/ hooter requiring ARME/ ART shall be sounded as prescribed above
and shall be repeated once more after interval of 5 minutes.
(ii) SSE (Loco)/(Diesel)/(C&W) or SE (Loco)/(Diesel)/(C&W) and all other Supervisory staff
concerned must ensure that the relief train gangs, break down gangs and other staff who are
required to go to the accident site in the ARME or ART, thoroughly understand alarm signals/
siren/ hooter and their names and addresses are displayed at conspicuous place.
607. Arranging ARME/ ART from different stations:-
Depending upon the seriousness of the accident and requirement at site, the ARME and ART
from different directions may be ordered and may be sent accordingly. This is also necessary
as the track in rear of the site of accident may be badly damaged.
608. Facility to other Officials:-
The Government Officials, such as, the Commissioner of Railway Safety, the District Magistrate
and the District Superintendent of Police of the District in which the accident has occurred or
such other Magistrate or Police Officers, as may be appointed in this behalf by the Local

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