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Friday, January 3, 2014 12:00:00 AM
In 2013, Metro Transit dispatched more than seventy buses throughout the Twin Cities in support of emergency responses to fires, gas leaks and other hazardous situations. Buses provide climate-controlled shelter and comfort for the displaced and also can be used as staging or relief areas for emergency response teams.
On Jan. 1, at the request of the Minneapolis Fire Department, Metro Transit dispatched buses to house fire fighters and victims of a devastating explosion and blaze in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis. Metro Transit Police also assisted at the scene.
In past years, buses have been on-scene to assist during events such as powerful storms in north Minneapolis and Hugo as well as the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge.
“In these types of situations, having a safe place to take shelter is immensely important,” said Vince Pellegrin, Metro Transit’s Chief Operating Officer and a former volunteer fire fighter. “We’re happy we can work side-by-side with emergency responders to provide this service to our community.”