SERTC Offers Crude By Rail Response Course

September 29, 2014

Source: EMR-ISAC

Due to several Bakken Oil train accidents around the country in the past year, several rail companies and national organizations have started training programs for emergency responders. The Association of American Railroad’s Security and Emergency Response Training Center (SERTC) is now offering Crude By Rail Emergency Response at their facility in Colorado.

The 3-day training covers types of crude transported by rail, types of tank cars, spill control, and tactical considerations. The training concludes with a derailment and fire exercise. So far, 1,500 first responders from at least nine states have taken the training.

See the course page for more information on prerequisites, travel information, items students should bring, and other details. This course is filled through the rest of 2014; there are instructions on the course page for those interested in 2015 offerings.

For departments or personnel interested in SERTC’s courses, there is a grant program available to help with the course fees. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) offers Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness grants to states, territories, and tribal responders to use for hazardous materials incident training. For details and to apply, visit PHMSA’s Hazardous Materials Grant Program page.