Williamsport firefighters joins hazmat training on railroad preparedness for real-life scenarios
Williamsport Bureau of Fire, state Department of Transportation, paramedics and other first responders took advantage this week of free training, literally, on a train.
A visit by Norfolk Southern Operation Awareness & Response near the Newberry Yards off 400 Arch St. provided emergency preparedness training to first responders as part of a Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response.
This nationwide program assists communities’ first responders as they prepare for responding to a hazardous materials transportation incident.
“This training rarely comes to our area, so when the opportunity comes, we take it,” said city Bureau Fire Chief Sam Aungst.
“Over the next few days, we will be able to send three of our four platoons,” he said, adding that was 21 personnel, including deputy Chief Keith Lucas and himself.
“Having the railyard in our jurisdiction increases the chances of us being dispatched to rail hazards,” Aungst said.
The training included general safety around the railroad, attention to risks related to fire extinguishment in the locomotives, Tank Car Identification, valves and fittings, and an app detailing what is being carried in a particular railcar.
This app will eventually replace the Rail Shipping Documents traditionally maintained in the locomotive, Aungst said.
The new technology could save lives of firefighters and the railroad crew by identifying what the train is transporting.
During the Sun-Gazette visit, Scott Gould, an instructor, took each class meticulously over the locomotive, tanker and flat cars.
He demonstrated and explained to each participant items such as important pressure relief valves, devices for low and high pressure and vacuum relief, discussed realistic encounters such as “sloshing” of liquid, and demonstrating packing materials inside the hull of the tanker.
Joining Norfolk Southern personnel were those from North Shore Railroad and Lycoming Valley Railroad, which was the host.
Those invited included fire departments, law enforcement, emergency medical technicians, hazmat response teams, emergency management personnel, military, homeland security, shippers and customers.
The training was broken into four hour classes repeated multiple times.
“It is what Norfolk Southern does as part of our business,” said Connor Spielmaker, spokesman.
The training occurs on an actual working train with the locomotive and cars.
Two box cars at the rear have been converted in a modern classroom, equipped with overhead projector, air-cooled comfortable conditions with seats and vintage railroad posters and art on display.
In that rear section is where the trainees go through a one and a half hour session on general railroad safety, including what occurs at grade crossings, which is typically where the most accidents or incidents take place.
“Common knowledge or Railroading 101,” Spielmaker said.
The instructor goes over how to identify and where to approach the train in a hazardous materials spill or incident.
Coupled to the training section are two flat cars housing various types of valves giving the trainees hands-on experience, he said.
The tank car is what actually would hold hazardous materials or chemicals. The tankers are empty to allow Gould the chance to show them the inside and devices and the locomotive is a chance for the participants to see the inner-workings of the driving part of the train with generators and intricate mechanical equipment.
In reality, rail safety is ensured and 99.9 percent of hazardous materials reach their destination without a blip, Spielmaker said.
This gives those taken part foundational knowledge, so they can use their “muscle memory” when and if the haz-mat situation arises. Most of the train accidents or incidents typically occur at railroad crossings, Spielmaker said.
Beyond the training and education is the building of relationships, Spielmaker said.
“It’s face-to-face interaction,” he said.
Norfolk Southern is partnered with the short lines – such as North Shore and Lycoming Valley, so it is an opportunity to get to know individuals in the cities and communities that the training train goes to, he said.