News Release

BNSF Earns 13th TRANSCAER® National Achievement Award

FORT WORTH, TEXAS, April 18, 2013:

BNSF Railway was recently presented with the Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response's National Achievement Award for enhancing community safety. The TRANSCAER® awards recognize companies for outstanding efforts to ensure the safe transportation of hazardous products. This is the 13th time BNSF has been recognized with the National Achievement Award since 1998. BNSF's first responder training has helped train more than 60,000 emergency responders over its 32,500 mile network in 28 states.

TRANSCAER® member companies train local emergency responders how to prepare for and respond to possible hazardous materials transportation incidents through a combination of hands-on training, emergency planning assistance and community drills and exercises. The training includes the use of actual rail and truck equipment, table-top exercises, and whistle-stop tours that bring emergency preparedness training to response organizations near rail routes and educates communities about rail equipment and chemical transportation.

"The safety of our employees and the communities in which we operate are a top priority for BNSF," said John Lovenburg, BNSF vice president, Environmental. "We are pleased that our continued commitment to work closely with emergency responders to ensure safe and efficient responses to transportation incidents has been acknowledged once again by TRANSCAER®."

"Safe handling of hazardous materials doesn't stop at the plant perimeter," said Donna Lepik, staff executive for TRANSCAER®. "It is an ethic turned into action up and down the entire value chain. As a National Achievement recipient, BNSF Railway has shown a dedication to safety that makes them a leader not only within their industry but also to their communities and customers."

In 2012 BNSF conducted 185 hazardous material training sessions reaching 4,473 emergency responders. These sessions were conducted throughout 21 states and one Canadian province, as well as a large ammonia training tour in North Dakota.

About TRANSCAER®

TRANSCAER® is a voluntary national outreach effort that focuses on assisting communities prepare for and respond to possible hazardous material transportation incidents. TRANSCAER® members include volunteer representatives from the chemical manufacturing, transportation, distribution, and emergency response industries, as well as the government.

About BNSF

BNSF Railway is one of North America's leading freight transportation companies operating on 32,500 route miles of track in 28 states and two Canadian provinces. BNSF is one of the top transporters of consumer goods, grain, and agricultural products, low-sulfur coal and industrial goods such as petroleum, chemicals, housing materials, food and beverages. BNSF's shipments help feed, clothe, supply, and power American homes and businesses every day. BNSF and its employees have developed one of the most technologically advanced, and efficient railroads in the industry. We work continuously to improve the value of the safety, service, energy, and environmental benefits we provide to our customers and the communities we serve. You can learn more about BNSF at www.BNSF.com.

BNSF Headquarters
BNSF Railway Company
2650 Lou Menk Dr. 2nd Floor
Fort Worth, TX 76131-2830
P.O. Box 961057
Fort Worth, TX 76161-0057
Phone: (817) 352-1000