U.S. Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), held a field hearing on Tuesday on how to better understand how transit operators and first responders prevent, prepare for and respond to incidents on mass transit.
The hearing, titled “Protecting Our Passengers: Perspectives on Securing Surface Transportation in New Jersey and New York,” brought together transportation officials, law enforcement officers, emergency management officials, emergency medical coordinators and others for testimony.
“The New Jersey-New York metropolitan area, with its numerous transportation assets, is among the most high-risk urban areas in the country,” Payne, Jr., said. “Our transit operators and first responders are uniquely qualified to share their perspectives on what the federal government does well to keep our systems secure and what it can do better. The insights and perspectives gained today are incredibly valuable not only to New Jersey, but to cities across the nation in their efforts to ensure the safety of their surface transportation systems.”
Panelists at the hearing included Sonya Proctor, director of the surface division at the Office of Security and Industry Engagement at the Transportation Security Administration; Thomas Belfiore, chief security officer at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; Martin Conway, deputy chief of police at Amtrak; Christopher Trucillo, chief of police at the NJ TRANSIT Police Department; Raymond Diaz, director of security at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority; Mike Mollohan, trustee at the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association; Rick Sposa, operation coordinator of emergency medical services at the Jersey City Medical Center; Vincent Glenn, emergency service unit at the Jersey City Fire Department; and others.
Payne, Jr., is a member of the House Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications and represents the 10th Congressional District in New Jersey.