ATLANTA, Ga. — Norfolk Southern has supported more than 5,500 first responders with specialized training and resources this year through its Operation & Awareness Response (OAR) program, which included hands-on events across 20 cities with the railroad’s Safety Train.
The OAR program is designed to educate and train first responders on responding to rail-related incidents. This year, more than 2,000 first responders boarded the Safety Train to gain rail-related safety knowledge aimed at helping their communities stay safe around railroads. The free training included hands-on experience with the kinds of railcars and equipment first responders would face in the event of a real-world emergency, as well as lessons on tank car identification, locomotive emergencies, and response strategies and tactics.
Since the launch of the program in 2015, the OAR team has trained more than 51,000 first responders across the railroad’s 22-state network.
“Norfolk Southern’s commitment to safety extends far beyond the rails,” said Robert Wood, NS director of hazardous materials. “We’re proud to work alongside these dedicated local first responders, who are truly heroes in their communities, to ensure that they have the rail knowledge and applicable resources to protect the people they serve in the unlikely event of a rail emergency.”
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