PITTSBURGH — Norfolk Southern is holding free, hands-on training for first responders using a special train to simulate emergencies.
The Safety Train is in Pittsburgh this week as part of Norfolk Southern’s Operation Awareness and Response (OAR) program.
Thursday, Pittsburgh firefighters and medics participated in the training, learning how to respond to railroad emergencies.
The Safety Train travels through 22 states where Norfolk Southern operates, with 17 stops scheduled this year.
Officials say they try to train as many first responders as they can.
“An incident could happen where we don’t have someone right there,” said Heather Garcia of Norfolk Southern. “So, a lot of times, working with first responders is super important so that, if they’re the first ones to the scene, they know what to do, and we know what is going on before we pull up, and we’re able to help out.”
The OAR program launched in 2015. Just last year, 5,800 first responders took the training during 16 scheduled stops.
Western Pennsylvania knows just how important training like this can be.
Three years ago, a Norfolk Southern train derailed across the state line in East Palestine, Ohio.
The impact of the toxic disaster crossed into Beaver and Lawrence counties.
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