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MEMA Home > Programs> Communication> News > Rail Car Incident Response Training - Sessions Closed

Rail Car Incident Response Training - Sessions Closed

 

May 26, 2009

 

The State Emergency Response Commission and the University of Findlay are co-sponsoring the Rail Car Incident Reponse Training on the following dates:

  • May 27th and 28th at the Waterville Fire Department (Closed)

  • June 2nd, 3rd, and 4th at the South Portland Fire Department (Closed)

For more information, download (in Adobe® .pdf format):

The Rail Car Incident Response course has been developed to educate emergency responders on freight rail car incidents involving hazardous materials. As more and more rail traffic transports cargo, including hazardous materials, it is critical that emergency responders are well trained. The increase in traffic adds to the already present risk of transportation incidents involving hazardous cargo. In addition, since a majority of the rail traffic travels through rural America, it is important that the often times resource limited rural responder community become educated about the dangers and unique hazards presented with rail cars. The information covered in this course will enhance the ability of emergency responders, especially rural emergency responders, to manage rail car incidents.

The following key elements serve as the basis for the course:

  • Recognizing the chemical being transported, which has physical, chemical, and toxicological properties that dictate the transportation requirements and the manner in which the chemical must be considered in an emergency situation;

  • Identifying the packaging system, which is reflected in the design and construction of the rail tank car, and the components of the rail car as well as all the information conveyed in the car stenciling;

  • Explaining the incident to determine the damage to the car and the potential hazard to people, property, and the environment from the release or reaction of the chemical and to take appropriate protective action;

  • Recognizing the appropriate and safest handling method of the chemical in the damaged car to mitigate the situation, whether by transfer, neutralization, venting, flaring, etc., and understanding these options;

  • Managing the incident and the many conflicting interests represented by all the potential participants at an incident; and

  • Identifying federal, state and private sector resources available to assist in the response.

You will need the free Adobe® Reader to view PDF documents. Should you need an alternate form of any document, please contact us.

 

Contact:

Faith Mayer
207-624-4441
faith.e.mayer@maine.gov

 

Last update: 07/20/10