Today is one of the rare occasions where I hand this space over to you.  Journal visitor Michelle G. wrote to me when I was away late last week and I had to share her letter with you.  It's harrowing, it's real and it puts you in her shoes: what would you do if fire broke out on your train?  Here's her letter to me about an incident that barely even made the news.  To me, it sounded terrifying:
 

Last night I suffered a horrible ordeal and I just felt like I needed an outlet to express the fear and anger I felt after this incident.  For years now I have traveled GO transit from Whitby to Toronto without incident until yesterday.  I happened to have plans to celebrate my Mom's birthday in Scarborough so I boarded the 5:20 Stouffville train to take to Kennedy station.

A few minutes into the ride, I looked up to see everyone at the end of my car stand up and start scattering.  All of a sudden there was smoke everywhere.  People were confused wondering if someone was smoking until someone yelled out for a fire extinguisher.  Surprisingly people were not completely panicking despite the fact we were on the end car so pretty much had nowhere to go and the fire was growing.

After several attempts to get to the fire extinguishers on the lower level - by big grown men who were unable to break the glass to get to them I might add - someone finally retrieved one from somewhere upstairs and sprayed the fire.  Now this car that was full to capacity with people is now also full of smoke so nobody can breathe and the residue from the fire extinguisher - but thankfully no fire.  The alarm had been pulled many minutes ago (seemed like forever) but the train still didn't show any sign of slowing down.  At this point people started to get very scared because they couldn't breathe.  I was one of the fortunate ones near the door that I managed to open enough to put my foot in and let in some fresh air.  After a few more minutes someone managed to break the glass and pull the cord so all four doors on train were now open - with the train still moving at a pretty fast speed.  Still no announcement to tell us help was on its way or that the train would slow.

I understand accidents happen and that there are emergencies that cannot be avoided Erin.  What I cannot understand is that an alarm was sounded, there was a fire onboard, people could not access fire extinguishers that are meant for emergencies such as these and doors opened on a moving train and that still wasn't enough for the train to stop.  To add insult to injury when this train finally pulled into Scarborough Station to meet Toronto Fire GO Transit did not even so much as take the time to ask those onboard who had been in the car with a fire to come forward to ensure they were ok.  An announcement was simply made that if you require emergency attention make your way 5 cars up to the Customer Service guy and he'll help you.

REALLY????  So many things were handled incorrectly in this incident Erin and I truly think they need to be addressed.  I tried speaking to Transit Safety and I'm not sure my point was heard.  First and foremost when there is a fire detected on board and a fire extinguisher removed from its case should that not alert the Conductor and be cause for the train to stop IMMEDIATELY.  I understand sprinklers onboard are probably impossible but why isn't there a system in place where if a fire is detected air systems are deployed that suck the air out of the car in danger instead of recirculating the smoke throughout the car you're in to make breathing impossible?  When train car doors fly open on a moving train is that not reason enough for the train to stop quickly?????

When I finally was able to get off the train and gather my thoughts I spent the rest of the night in tears.  It truly was a terrifying experience and I can only imagine how many others onboard felt the same and will have no voice.  I saw a CITY TV truck in the parking lot and asked if this would be on the news but was told that since there were no injuries and Toronto Fire cleared the train to continue on there was no story to be told.  REALLY?  I'm not an expert but for a system that prides itself on SAFETY FIRST I can't help but feel extremely disappointed with how (yesterday's) emergency was handled.  The people who were onboard that train deserve an explanation and deserve to be heard.

I'm hoping you will be our voice.  That this letter will alert Go Transit of those areas that they fall short and that something like this never happens again because God knows had people not kept their wits about them it could of ended a heck of alot worse than it did.  Thank you for listening.  Stay well, Michelle.
 

Take care, and we'll be back with you tomorrow to wrap up the week.

Erin

Welcome to Wednesday and FEBRUARY!  Even an extra day tacked on to the end (when my dear Uncle Vernon turns 15 at last!) can't diminish my glee: another full month and then we squish towards spring.  Our Gord-on-the-board saw himself a robin last weekend, so there's not going to be quite the excitement about the first one of the season when "that call" comes into our radio studio.

But why?  Why was a mosquito still alive and nipping in January?  And what makes some Canada geese decide to fly south, while others hang around, tough it out and await the return of spring and open waters like the rest of us?  Wasn't that the surest sign of winter's impending doom: the flocks of geese heading south?  Times have changed.

It's kind of nice to realize that February brings us, not only Valentine's Day, but also Family Day and a three-day weekend.  That's something to look forward to, whether you're able to spend it with those close to you or not.  So bring it on, February.  We're not winter weary yet, thanks to January's gentle vibes, so I'm filled with hope that, except for the odd rogue mosquito, and a few frozen flakes, we're going to get through this little month just fine.

Oh, and a SOLD sign on the condo would be nice, too, if it's not asking too much!  Take care and we'll talk tomorrow.

Erin