CSX Hosts Four-Day Emergency Response Training in Baltimore

CSX, one of North America's largest transportation companies, owns and operates a network of over 21,000 route miles of track across the eastern United States. Each year, the company invests more than $1 billion to preserve the railroad tracks, bridges, tunnels and grade crossings, in order to keep communities safe. In addition to investment in the core infrastructure, CSX also devotes significant resources to provide emergency response training for first responders in communities where it operates.

CSX has been delivering railroad safety training to first responders for many years. In 2021, CSX launched the Responder Incident Training (RIT) Train, dedicated to providing the necessary equipment and training programs to educate emergency responders, railroad personnel and government officials on how to deal with railroad emergencies. This specialized train travels throughout CSX’s 26-state network teaching first responders how to effectively plan for and respond to accidents involving the railroad. In 2022, CSX conducted 40 training events totaling over 2,900 hours of training educating 3,609 first responders, contractors, and local government officials.

“Safety is always CSX’s highest priority, and every decision we make is intended to transport our customer’s freight as safely and efficiently as possible,” said Joe McCann, CSX director of emergency management. “Accidents like the one in Ohio are very rare. But if an incident should occur on our network, we want first responders to be prepared. In our view, the most effective way to prepare for an emergency is to provide training and information about the railroad. CSX works closely with first responders and emergency planning agencies to ensure adequate preparation.”

Most recently, the RIT train was in Baltimore at the historic B&O Railroad Museum where CSX hosted four days of emergency response training for Baltimore City Fire Department and other first responders from the region. More than 140 fire fighters, government officials and other responders participated in the training.

Since 2012, the hazmat accident rate has declined 55 percent, and over the past 10 years, less than 1 percent of all train accidents have resulted in a hazmat release. Although rail related accidents are rare, the continuing education, training and planning for railroad emergencies by Baltimore first responders is key to keeping communities safe.

“It was great to have such a strong turnout from the Baltimore first responder community. Their participation is a testament to how deeply they care for their city and the communities that make it what it is,” said McCann.

In addition to the hands-on instruction given during RIT train events, CSX supports the AskRail app, which is available to first responders and emergency personnel. The app provides, “immediate access to accurate, timely data about what type of hazardous materials a railcar is carrying so they can make an informed decision about how to respond to a rail emergency.”

Public safety is everyone’s responsibility and requires engagement from government officials, the private sector, and even our neighbors. Establishing emergency plans that mitigate the effects of the unexpected is critical. Seeing companies like CSX prioritize not just the safety of their employees, but the safety of first responders and host communities, is a trend to be followed by others across the Free State.