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of those components include 14 vent buidlings, and urgency following the 9/11 attacks. One
16 electrical sub stations, 41 pump houses and of the barracks’ responsibilities is facilitating
two large maintenance facilities. Until 2016 they mass evacuations from the Airport, and critical
were also responsible for the security of the toll incident response into the Airport from outside
operations at the entrance to the Sumner Tunnel, the property, if the need ever arises. While its
the Ted Williams Tunnel, and the Tobin bridge. neighbors at Troop F train regularly on handling
crises within the Airport, E-4 is responsible for
Uniqueness of the Tunnels. access to and from the airport for all those leaving,
The tunnel system employs 215 large as well as assets that are responding. Whether it
be the Ted Williams Tunnel, the
Callahan and Sumner Tunnels, or
the Tobin Bridge, essentially all
roads to Logan travel through E-4’s
area.
Since 1995 SP-Tunnels
Troopers have dealt with numerous
fires, crashes and emergencies which
have necessitated the closing of
some portion of the tunnels, and
also were the primary responders
to the fatal 2006 partial tunnel
collapse. In an effort to be prepared
for such incidents, supervisors team
up with dispatchers and MassDOT
personnel to train in handling
scenarios that call for closing of different sections
vent fans that use 14 Vent Buildings designed of their roads. The supervisors and civilian
to circulate fresh air into the system. In critical support staff periodically have tabletop exercises
events, such as fires, prolonged traffic congestion in which they discuss different scenarios that
or other emergencies, these vents are monitored could occur in and around the E-4 area. This “Red
and controlled so that the air circulation can be Book” training, as it is known, is an example of the
increased to ensure the air quality is safe. This importance of experience that the Troopers at E-4
system is aided by a network of more than 500 have.
cameras that monitor the tunnels. In an effort
to address any prolonged congestion that could The responsibilities of the barracks warrant
strain the ventilation system, it is imperative to a great deal of extra personnel from within the
have personnel and tow equipment at the ready. barracks and other Troops and Sections. There
This drives the need for quick and experienced is routine maintenance and periodic work that
response from the Troopers at E-4 is done within the E-4 roadways. On any given
night there may be as many as 10 different sub-
Experience is key contractors, with hundreds of employees working
There are a number of Troopers and in the E-4 area. Troopers from within and
supervisors who have been stationed within Troop outside of Troop E provide safety at the worksites
E and at the tunnels barracks for a significant throughout the year. It is not uncommon to have
period of time. These Troopers bring a tremendous several tunnels closed and multiple lanes taken
resume of experience to the table. Like all police each night within the tunnel / bridge system.
components, their job took on added duties Units
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