ABSTRACT
This chapter demonstrates how critical the systems are in disaster response and recovery efforts. The Baltimore tunnel fire demonstrates why some security and terrorism experts oppose the transportation of hazardous materials, especially toxic inhalation hazards, through high-threat urban areas. The National Transportation Safety Board's post-event analysis demonstrated that the fire in the tunnel caused the tunnel, the cast-iron water pipe, and the light rail foundations to all expand, stressing the water main until it broke. While disruption to city and regional transportation was managed by city and state agencies, the loss of the Howard Street Tunnel had wider implications for freight service. City personnel focused first on immediate response actions, including public notification and press coordination. In the incident command system put in place, the Baltimore city fire chief was the incident commander for the tunnel fire.
