By JEFF SIMPSON
One of the key aspects in mitigating railroad emergencies is preparation. Similar to preplanning existing high-hazard structures, you should preplan to fully understand the host of challenges associated with railroad operations. As highways and roads become more congested and the price of fuel continues to increase, demand for the movement of people and goods will shift exponentially to the nation’s rails. Here are a few ways to proactively prepare and train for railroad emergencies.
SAFETY
Operating on or near railroad tracks and road crossings is extremely dangerous. Start your preplan by identifying the road crossings’ locations, type of rail traffic moved (freight and passenger), and the rails’ owner/operator. Record the railroad emergency communications center phone number if you have an incident that requires notifying the railroad. You can find this information on a reflective, rectangular sign (the size of a vehicle license plate) mounted on the red flashing signal that protects the road crossing. In addition, the sign displays the railroad name, the Department of Transportation road crossing number, and the railroad milepost (photos 1, 2).
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Report all railroad emergencies, including situations that could affect public safety or safe train movement, to the railroad emergency communications center. Report incidents, including a stuck or stalled vehicle on a crossing or accidents on or near a road crossing, as a safety factor. Never assume that all trains have been stopped until a responsible railroad official notifies you that movements have been halted. A basic railroad safety rule says: “Expect movement on any track, in any direction, at any time.” Avoid walking on or between the rails, and always face the direction from which a train is traveling. Wear head and eye protection and steel-toed or firefighter boots at all times. Be aware of electrical hazards, including those in and around railroad locomotives. Typical railroad locomotives can generate anywhere between 600 and 23,000 volts of electricity.
INITIAL RESPONSE PROCEDURES
Here are several considerations when preplanning to assist you during your initial railroad emergency response. Update your knowledge and record information on the following areas:
Rail yards and terminals. Identify and locate these facilities if they exist in your response area. Know how to gain access to the areas, and be aware of the hours of operation. Meet and establish a relationship with the railroad employees responsible for the operation of these facilities. Note that derailments and hazardous materials incidents are more likely to occur in these locations than on mainline tracks because of the number of railcars present.
Bridges, trestles, and tunnels. Note these locations and the best ways to gain access to them, since most involve water and road crossings. Bridges and trestles are typically narrow and don’t allow for vehicle and pedestrian movement from one side to the other. Tunnels have limited access, reduced visibility, and poor ventilation (photos 3, 4).
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Environmental concerns. Identify sensitive areas such as wetlands, waterways, and runoffs that require protection after an incident.
Utilities and communication lines. The railroad leases much of its right-of-way for the installation of underground gas and oil pipelines, fiber optic cable, and communication lines that could pose a hazard to emergency responders. Document the identification of these hazards and the proper information on the responsible companies in your preplan.
RAILROAD PERSONNEL
Identifying and assimilating railroad personnel into your unified incident management structure will help ensure an effective outcome when mitigating any railroad emergency. Be familiar with the roles of the following personnel:
Locomotive engineer. Located in the locomotive’s cab and controls all of the train’s movement.
Conductor. Also located in the locomotive’s cab and manages all train railcar switching procedures. The conductor is also responsible for maintaining the train’s shipping papers, called the train consist.
Trainmasters. Manages the railcars’ and train’s movement. Responds to accidents to assist with the removal and movement of undamaged railcars. Can also assist with reading and interpreting all railroad paperwork.
Mechanical department foreman. Oversees train wreck clearing, rerailing operations, and all wreck-clearing contractors that provide heavy equipment for removal.
Roadmaster. Heads the field engineering team responsible for the maintenance of rails, switches, and signals. The roadmaster is helpful in identifying access routes and environmental hazards that may exist.
Hazmat service support desk. This is staffed at the railroad emergency communications center and assists in early assessment and decision making.
Railroad field manager. Responds to incidents and works with local, state, and federal agencies to safely bring incidents to closure. Also coordinates the notification of certified railroad emergency response contractors as needed.
Railroad police special agent. Law enforcement official who assists with cargo and site security.
General claims personnel. Assists the public in the event of an evacuation and private property damage.
Corporate communications specialist. Assists the public information officer.
Freight claims agent. Helps manage nonhazardous materials.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
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RAILCARS
As part of your preparation exercise, become familiar with and identify the types of railcars that have the potential for carrying hazardous materials, which are usually transported in rail tank cars. Detect the location of hazardous materials placards and the position of the stenciled product name on the tank car. The tank shape and configuration may also point to the specific commodity being transported. Use the car initial and number to research the tanks car’s contents if no other indication is given (photo 5). Do this by referencing the shipping papers or the conductor’s consist.
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Boxcars pose a threat since materials can be transported in bottles, boxes, drums, and intermediate bulk containers.
Refrigerator cars are insulated boxcars designed to transport commodities in lower temperatures. The cooling generator may have a diesel tank with a capacity as high as 500 gallons.
Gondola cars accommodate oversized loads and are commonly used in transporting contaminated soils and hazardous waste.
Covered hopper cars transport oxidizers in powder or granular form. Fertilizers, pigment powders, and other solid materials represent potentially environmentally sensitive materials that may be transported in hoppers.
Consider locomotives a hazard: They can carry up to 5,800 gallons of fuel, 300 gallons of cooling liquid, and 410 gallons of lubricating oil (photo 6).
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PASSENGER/COMMUTER TRAIN INCIDENTS
If commuter and passenger trains operate in your response area, preplan for emergencies involving them. Most passenger rail operations occur over freight railroad tracks. Coordination among emergency responders, passenger train officials, and freight railroad personnel is paramount because passengers’ medical treatments and evacuations will sometimes be required. Improve your knowledge and consideration of the following areas of importance:
Access points. They identify entrance and egress points for emergency equipment and medical evacuation for the railroads in your area.
Evacuation. In the event of a derailment, do not evacuate train passengers unless absolutely necessary. If the railcars are upright and there is no danger to the passengers, it is recommended that they stay in the cars until such time that adequate shelter and transportation are available. The areas around a derailment can be very hazardous. Keep passengers in the railcars to maintain site safety and passenger accountability until you can conduct a safe removal (photo 7).
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Thanks to massive infrastructure and equipment investments, safer operating procedures, freight car design improvements, and other factors, railroads are one of the safest ways to transport goods, material, and people. In the unlikely event of an emergency incident, your preplanning investment will lead toward successful mitigation of the situation.
REFERENCE
1. CSX Transportation, Inc. (2005). 6th ed. Emergency Response to Railroad Incidents: Course Manual.
JEFF SIMPSON is a 26-year veteran of the fire service and a battalion chief of training and safety with Hanover (VA) Fire-EMS. He has progressive degrees in engineering and management and is a certified Virginia state fire instructor and officer. He has been teaching leadership, engineering, and strategy courses for the past 21 years. Simpson instructs at the Hanover County Fire Academy and assisted as an FDIC Firefighter Safety & Survival H.O.T. instructor. He is the lead FDIC H.O.T. instructor for the Training for Railroad EmergenciesAdvanced class. He has contributed several articles to Fire Engineering and is a 2006 Governor’s Award Finalist for Excellence in the Virginia Fire Service.
