As the death toll in the D.C. Metro incident continues to rise, we're already getting some good information about the response. On our sister site, Jems.com, Senior Editor Jennifer Berry interviewed D.C. Fire & EMS (DCFEMS) Medical Director and JEMS editorial board member Dr. James J. Augustine.

Augustine notes that it was a three-alarm assignment that brought more than 200 responders to the scene. Personnel needs were high because of warm temperatures and complicated extrications from the mangled cars.

Augustine highlights three key areas of response that made for successful management of this incident – called by many to be the worst train crash in D.C. history:

1. Plenty of manpower from DCFEMS and mutual-aid jurisdictions, including responses from Fairfax, Arlington, Montgomery and Prince George's counties and Bethesda Chevy Chase Rescue;

2. Cooperation from area hospitals, and

3. Great use of radio and phone communications systems and the hospital alerting network.

Read the complete article here.