Responders from 12 states get special classes in handling tank-car and hazardous waste problems
By Stacie Hamel
Omaha World-Herald (Nebraska)
Copyright 2006 The Omaha World-Herald Company
Union Pacific Railroad recently trained 28 emergency responders in handling tankcar emergencies, including those that involve hazardous waste.
Responders from 12 states represented local fire departments, emergency medical departments and several other organizations. Nine were U.P. employees.
The class participated in three simulated hazardousmaterial accidents and other safety training.
“The knowledge and skills from the program help local responders analyze an emergency and plan a response within their capabilities,” said Charlie Wright, hazardousmaterial training manager. “It allows them to better protect themselves, the community and the railroad when an emergency occurs.”
The five-day, 40-hour course was held in October at the Association of American Railroad’s Transportation Technology Center near Pueblo, Colo.
Over 20 years, U.P. has trained more than 785 emergency responders and 145 U.P. responders during 38 sessions at the Transportation Technology Center. The railroad also offers local hazardous-material training.
Nebraskans attending the course were U.P. employees Jim Henley, Selva Karunakaran, Tom Mengel and David Tuma, all of Omaha.