Effingham Firefighters Complete Rail Car Safety Program

Members of the Effingham Fire Department have completed a three-part Rail Car Safety Program. The program was conducted by Mark Allen, Dangerous Goods Officer for Canadian National Railway.

(CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY DANGEROUS GOODS OFFICER MARK ALLEN INSTRUCTS EFFINGHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT LIEUTENANT JEFF LANDRUS {center} AND FIREFIGHTERS TYSON MASSEY {right} AND WAYNE BOERNGEN {left} IN THE USE OF A CHLORINE LEAK KIT DURING TRAINING AT FIRE STATION #1 TUESDAY)

Effingham Fire Chief Bob Tutko said the training program introduced firefighters to basic safety practices for operating around an active rail line, as well as identification of various rail cars utilized by Canadian National Railway. The instruction also addressed how to respond to rail car-related incidents.

The final phase of the course consisted of hands-on training utilizing a rail car simulator, where firefighters practiced how to identify and mitigate leaks involving pressure and non-pressure rail cars.

Tutko said, "This was essential and very valuable training that we received courtesy of Canadian National Railway. The training instilled more confidence in our firefighters to respond to rail car emergencies. We look forward to working with Canadian National and Mark Allen on future training opportunities that will benefit our members and enhance community safety."