OmniTRAX Teams With SLSI for Emergency Response Training
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
OmniTRAX and the Short Line Safety Institute partnered to host local response teams on the Panhandle Northern Railroad. (OmniTRAX Photograph)
OmniTRAX affiliate Panhandle Northern Railway (PNR) and the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) recently held a two-day railroad emergency response training in Borger, Tex., that combined a classroom-based emergency preparedness, reporting and response exercise with a simulated drill for first responders and railroad staff.
OmniTRAX on June 1 reported that the exercise’s aim was to assess its employees’ and local rail partners’ operational preparedness and ability “to effectively manage all facets of accidental and non-accidental releases.”
The classroom and field settings offered participants comprehensive emergency training ranging from tank car inspections and hazard identification to stakeholder communication, initial incident response, and command structures. Additionally, the hands-on programming with the SLSI Safety Train enabled role play implementation of established emergency protocol necessary to assess proficiency and troubleshoot opportunities for improvement.
The Denver, Colo.-based short line railroad and transportation management company rotates emergency rail training along its nationwide rail network.
“The training went exceptionally well, and we are deeply thankful to our partners that have invested their time and resources to the emergency preparedness at the core of rail safety,” OmniTRAX President and Chief Operating Officer Sergio Sabatini said.
In a related development, the SLSI recently marked its seventh year of operations, with more than 100 Safety Culture Assessments completed (the 100th took place in 2021), and more than 200 hazardous materials training classes conducted on short line railroads.
