BNSF News

California to Host 2011 TRANSCAER® Training Tour

2011-02-17

TRANSCAER (Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response) on Feb. 15 announced that the organization will sponsor an anhydrous ammonia training tour in California throughout 2011.

The training helps emergency responders prepare for hazardous materials incidents and educates the public about hazardous material safety. The California training tour is a joint effort with TRANSCAER, BNSF, Union Pacific, Cal-Ammonia, Dow Chemical Company and Central California Traction Company (CCT). BNSF frequently participates in TRANSCAER® training events throughout the system.

TRANSCAER® is a national voluntary group that focuses on helping communities prepare for and respond to a possible hazardous material transportation incident.

The 2011 Region 4 TRANSCAER® Training Tour began Feb. 15 in Stockton, Calif., with California State TRANSCAER. Additional sessions will be held in Riverbank, Fresno, Bakersfield, West Colton, El Centro, West Sacramento, Santa Maria, Watsonville, Concord, Roseville and Redding through December 2011.

Each stop includes a discussion of how hazardous materials transportation incidents are managed, from a tank truck rollover to a leaking rail tank car. In addition, BNSF, Union Pacific and regional and local companies provide training opportunities at each stop. Industry experts are also on hand to answer questions.

"These training tours demonstrate the unique partnership between emergency services and the industry," said Rollie Shook, TRANSCAER® chairman and Dow Chemical Company global emergency services leader. "They give us the opportunity to create awareness among the community about chemical and transportation industry programs designed to enhance their safety."

At each of these sessions, attendees have the opportunity to receive hands-on training on rail tank cars, tank trucks, a locomotive, and agricultural nurse tanks.

"Events like these help improve the level of communication and coordination needed to respond effectively to hazardous material emergencies," said Brock Lowman, BNSF manager, hazardous materials programs. "Working with responders, shippers and transportation partners within TRANSCAER events is a great opportunity for all."

BNSF Headquarters

BNSF Railway Company
2650 Lou Menk Dr. 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 961057
Fort Worth, TX 76161-0057
Phone: (817) 352-1000

For more information on the company and its transportation solutions, visit the BNSF Web site at www.bnsf.com