Tank Car Safety and Rail Emergency Response Course for First Responders
Training Event
Sessions
- to
PST
Overview
This 30-hour training course is delivered over a 4-day period, and is a performance-focused, direct delivery community-based program. Through a combination of classroom presentations and group discussion, laboratory component teardowns, field activities, and applied scenarios. This course includes, at minimum, 50 percent of time in hands-on activities.
Prerequisites: Participants shall be trained to the Hazardous Material Technician Level prior to enrollment. Activities conducted address the use of offensive measures to a hazardous materials incident and prior experience is preferred. Participants are also expected to have completed incident management courses IS100B, IS200, and IS700 prior to enrollment.
Training Schedule {You must be able to attend all sessions to register, please note the start time on Day 1}:
- Monday, April 28 - 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Tuesday, April 29 - 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Wednesday, April 30 - 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Thursday, May 1 - 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Attendee Level
- Firefighter 1 & 2
- Fire Officers with Hazmat Endorsements
- Hazmat Technicians
Event Focus
Featured topics:
- Railroad Safety
- Response Process Overview
- History of Tank Cars
- Intro to Tank Cars – Terminology
- Surveying the Incident
- Tank Car Construction
- Tank Car Fittings
- Tank Car Damage Assessment
- Predicting Behavior
- Estimating Outcomes
- Planning the Response
- Leak Control and Repair
- Grounding and Bonding
- Intro to Product Removal
Description
Course Objectives
- Summarize necessary safety precautions used when working on or near railroads.
- Interpret the information given on railroad transportation paperwork.
- Identify the various components of rail cars and locomotives and the risks associated with each.
- Recognize the various markings used on rail cars and explain their relevance to response personnel.
- Identify the features of general service (non-pressure) and pressure tank cars and predict the type of materials transported in them.
- Assess the various types of damage that rail cars incur during an incident and their relevance to response personnel.
- Identify toxic/poison inhalation hazards and other materials that are considered Rail Security Sensitive Materials (RSSM); and
- Determine and demonstrate an appropriate response to various incidents that may occur during the transportation of hazardous materials, flammable, or combustible liquids by rail.
Field Exercises
The practical portion is split into three parts, each building towards the next.
- Protective housings, valves, interior cutaways of appurtenances and rail cars, emergency devices, and other props to give participants an understanding of the inner workings of rail cars and their components.
- Bonding and Grounding
- Practical skills area including a simulated exercise where participants will use the skill sets and knowledge gained to respond to a realistic emergency with full incident command system (ICS) staffing, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and other emergency equipment.
Important Details
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: Closed-toe footwear, gloves, and full-length pants are required. Safety vests will be provided onsite.
Please advise the instructor(s) of any pre-existing medical condition(s) that may preclude you from participating in any field exercise. Stay hydrated and alert.
Be at the site by 8:45 AM for registration on Monday, April 28. Class will begin at 9:00 AM each day.
Sponsors
- Union Pacific Railroad
- TRANSCAER
Contacts
3130 Fairview Park Drive
4th Floor
Falls Church VA 22042
efischer@chemtrec.com
1000 West Fourth St
North Little Rock AR 72114
Mobile 870-635-7907
caheard@up.com
