R.J. Corman, P&L Host SLSI Hazmat Training in Kentucky
Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
The Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) will train area first responders in hazardous materials incident response in Kentucky from Oct. 31 through Nov. 8, 2023. R.J. Corman Railroad Group and the Paducah & Louisville Railway (P&L) will be hosting the training.
Fire departments in Anchorage, Middleton, Frankfort, Lexington, Paducah, Princeton and Elizabethtown will participate in the Railroad Emergency Response Training program, which combines classroom instruction, hands-on training, and interactive experience-based discussions tailored to meet first responders’ needs. The training will also include specific information on P&L’s and R.J. Corman’s operations in their respective localities.
The Railroad Emergency Response Training program is provided at no cost to participants or the railroad, with funding provided by an Assistance for Local Emergency Response Training (ALERT) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) through the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA).
SLSI’s instructors, who have more than 650 years of combined experience in hazardous materials transportation safety, will cover:
- Safety considerations when working on a railroad property.
- Emergency contact information.
- Rail types, identification, and features.
- Hazmat identifiers (placards/labels/markings) on railcars and tanks.
- Train lists and shipping documents.
- Incident management and specialized resources
In addition to classroom training, there will be hands-on training with a demonstration of valves, fittings, appliances and more with multiple real-world examples.
“The railroads’ commitment to providing this training will benefit the surrounding communities,” said SLSI Executive Director Tom Murta. “The Railroad Emergency Response Training, with particular attention to the local railroad’s operations, lays the groundwork for a safe, well-coordinated hazmat incident response and community protection.”
“Our leadership works to ensure that employees are well trained in the necessary safety precautions that should be taken and encourages community involvement,” said R. J. Corman Railroad Group President and CEO Ed Quinn. “The Railroad Emergency Response Training will help extend that commitment for training to our area first responders, preparing them to work with the railroad to mitigate community impact in any emergency incident.”
“For over 30 years, P&L has been committed to ensuring safe operations for our employees, first responders, and the communities we operate in,” said P&L President and CEO Tom Greene. “One of the many ways we ensure safety is to continuously train and improve preparedness for any incident. At the conclusion of this training, area first responders will be better equipped to work closely with our railroad personnel to respond to a hazmat incident, providing better outcomes for our communities.”
