Sunday emergency drill due for Portland Aerial Tram

Operators of the Portland Aerial Tram, will conduct annual tram evacuation training on Sunday morning between 9:00am and 2:00pm.

The training allows rescue crews to practice an aerial rescue of tram passengers in the event the tram is stopped for an extended period of time with passengers on board. If you see what looks like a rescue going on this Sunday morning remember this is a scheduled training exercise and not a real emergency.

(Image courtesy Flickr user atul666)

This is a press release provided by OHSU

PORTLAND AERIAL TRAM EVACUATION TRAINING TO TAKE PLACE THIS WEEKEND

WHAT:  Representatives from Oregon Health & Science University, Portland Fire & Rescue, and Doppelmayr CTEC, operators of the Portland Aerial Tram, will conduct annual tram evacuation training on Sunday morning.

The training allows rescue crews to practice an aerial rescue of tram passengers in the event the tram is stopped for an extended period time with passengers on board. If you are contacted by members of the public with questions about the training, please inform them that this is a scheduled training exercise and not a real emergency.

WHEN: 9 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 18 - The exercise should be completed by 2 p.m. 

WHERE: The first phase of training will take place above the OHSU Casey Eye Institute parking garage. At that location a small number of exercise participants will be evacuated from the tram and lowered via ropes and harnesses down to the top of the parking structure. While local news crews are welcome to cover the training, we ask that you do so from the ground and refrain from entering the Casey Eye Institute parking lot so as not to interfere with the exercise.

The second phase of training will take place later in the morning when tram operators will practice their self-rescue procedures. That training will take place near the lower tram station, adjacent to the OHSU Center for Health & Healing.  

DETAILS: This weekend’s training is an annual exercise completed by OHSU, Portland Fire & Rescue, and Doppelmayr CTEC. The Portland Aerial Tram is closed on Sundays during the fall and winter. As a result, the training exercise will not interfere with regular operation of the tram.  For more information about the tram including hours of operation, visit www.portlandtram.org