MxV Rail, Indian River State College Forge Training Partnership
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief
MxV Rail and Florida-based Indian River State College (IRSC) have signed a strategic partnership and memorandum of understanding (MOU) “to proactively address workforce development challenges in the railroad industry,” focusing on programs that “address hazardous material response and early interest in railroad careers and pathways.”
“As a dedicated East Coast training partner for MxV Rail, IRSC addresses a critical need to provide preparation and training for a comprehensive response to derailment or hazardous material derailment, something currently unavailable at a single Florida location,” MxV Rail said. “Our subject matter expertise combined with IRSC’s learning environment provides a strong foundation for innovative education opportunities to positively impact the nation’s first responders and future leaders in the rail industry. The partnership provides a pathway for MxV Rail and IRSC to work collaboratively on common interests surrounding education, training and research related to rail transportation safety, security and innovation.”
“The future of rail requires unprecedented innovation, determination and diverse perspectives,” said MxV Rail President and CEO Kari Gonzales. “Our partnership with IRSC enables broadening the diversity of talent within rail and creates a learning pathway to a range of careers in our industry.”
“The IRSC School of Public Service Education and its Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex is known nationally and internationally for its proactive approach to disaster prevention, response, recovery, and relief,” said IRSC President Dr. Timothy Moore. “Our partnership with MxV Rail brings a new level of preparedness for Florida’s emergency responders and future railroaders and complements IRSC’s Public Service Education programs portfolio and elite training partnerships such as those with former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and the National Association of School Resource Officers.”
Pueblo, Colo.-based MxV Rail (formerly TTCI), a subsidiary of the Association of American Railroads (AAR) home to the Security and Emergency Response Training Center (SERTC), described as “the world leader in surface transportation hazardous materials emergency response. SERTC offers an immersive learning experience with full-scale training scenarios that prepare first responders for real-world surface transportation emergencies.”
Indian River State College offers educational programs ranging from technical certifications and applied technology diplomas to Associate and Bachelor’s degrees to residents of Florida’s Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties through traditional and online delivery. IRSC is home to the Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex, described as “one of the nation’s most comprehensive, technologically advanced public safety training facilities. The 50-acre, eight-building complex enables IRSC to combine criminal justice, fire science, emergency management, public administration, paralegal and human services disciplines in one location for a coordinated response to all types of emergencies.”
