Emergency Responders

You're a dedicated emergency responder. Caught up in responding to an emergency call, it can be easy to forget that trains cannot yield to your fire engine or ambulance at a highway-rail grade crossing.

Why? Trains can't stop quickly, and they can't swerve to avoid hitting an object or vehicle on the tracks. The laws of physics mean that it can take a fully-loaded freight train travelling 55 miles an hour a mile or more to stop once emergency brakes are applied.

Studies have shown that it's difficult for drivers of emergency response vehicles to hear a train's warning horn, further complicating the situation for emergency responders.

Operation Lifesaver has developed tools that emergency responders can use to minimize driving hazards at highway-rail intersections:

• Operation Lifesaver's video, "Emergency Response: Your Safety First," is available for educating emergency responders about safety around train tracks.
• Operation Lifesaver also provides Safety Tips for Emergency Responders .

In addition, a new training course, "Rail Safety for Emergency Responders," (RSER) is available nationwide, beginning in July 2006, for training emergency response personnel, including fire, EMS, emergency management agencies, military and homeland security personnel. The RSER course is designed to provide emergency responders critical information to prepare them for responding to a railroad incident, including: safe response; knowledge of railroad electrical, fuel, and air systems; hazardous materials; identifying rolling stock; pinch points; stopping a train; high/low pressure tank cars; and other on-scene dangers.

• Schedule a 4-hour RSER course in your area
• Submit an application to become an RSER instructor in your state (Note: Positions are limited.)
• RSER poster print and post this flyer to promote the RSER course.

For more information on RSER training courses, please contact us.

Train Horns vs. Sirens