CHARLOTTE, N.C. — First responders in North Carolina received hands-on training in the event of a railroad emergency. 

What You Need To Know

  • Norfolk Southern’s Safety Train rolled into Charlotte in April providing classroom and field training on a real train

  • The one-day training is part of a program Norfolk Southern launched in 2015

  • Charlotte firefighter Cody McCray said this type of training is unique

  • This training is part of the operational awareness and response program to build relationships with first responders in the 22-state network Norfolk Southern operates in

Norfolk Southern’s Safety Train rolled into Charlotte in April providing classroom and field training on a real train. 

Charlotte firefighter Cody McCray is one of the 40 first responders from Charlotte, Concord and Rock Hill who trained to respond to a railroad emergency, from crossing accidents to hazmat situations. 

First responders went inside the train, climbed rail cars and used different tactics to contain and stop leaks. 

“Having training props of this magnitude is few and far between for us. In the hazmat world, we don't do a ton of this, thankfully. But when it does happen, it's usually major issues,” McCray said. 

Charlotte is one of the 16 stops on the schedule for Norfolk Southern’s Safety Train this year. 

First responders are also learning what to look for and who to contact. 

“I’ve learned a lot about just the rail cars themselves. The numbering system that the different rail companies use for the different materials that may be transported in a particular rail car,” McCray said. 

The one-day training is part of a program Norfolk Southern launched in 2015. 

“Being able to come out and do it while they're here, they're in that safe environment. They have time to, if they do make a mistake, there's no real consequences with that versus where they're on a real incident,” Norfolk Southern Railway Regional Manager Hazardous Materials David Patten said. 

McCray is happy to have this opportunity.

“Being able to actually do, do the steps, practice, put your hands on the tools. Things that we don't get to do on a daily basis is pretty invaluable,” McCray said. 

There is an app available for first responders to determine contents in rail cars, and the app also has a built-in emergency response guide. 

This training is part of the operational awareness and response program to build relationships with first responders in the 22-state network Norfolk Southern operates in.