The report, written by the National Labor College (NLC) in Silver Spring, Maryland, outlines the ingredients for quality training programs. For instance, the hazardous materials training course given by the National Labor College often lasts five days and is taught by peer instructors. This is in sharp contrast to the safety pamphlets and videotapes that some rail corporations have supplied to their employees.
"We've trained over 20,000 rail employees across the United States," said Brenda Cantrell, director of the hazardous materials training program at the NLC. "Often our students tell us how they learn more about hazardous materials in the first few hours of our class than they do after years of working on the rails."
John Tolman, National Legislative Representative and Vice President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) gave an overview of the how the new Democratic leadership in the House and Senate will likely take action on rail security next year. "This year, with the 109th Congress, regulations were passed that were only voluntary. A voluntary system of safety and security regulations for the rails is not going to get us where we want to go." He added that once the 110th Congress convenes in January 2007, concrete action toward mandatory enforcement of safety and security regulations must be taken.
"The most critical time after any rail accident is the first few minutes," Tolman said. "We are always the first responders in those situations and we need to have quality training in order to know how to respond and save lives."
"Rail employees should have the same level of training as fire fighters so that they know about the risks and know how to handle toxic chemicals in emergency situations," said Wendell Davis, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAF).
"More than 80 percent of our members reported to us in our 'High Alert' report that they have not had additional security or terrorism training," said Rick Inclima, Director of Safety and Education of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWED). "Our data was from the first-ever employee survey of engineers, trainmen and maintenance of way workers. And the data was broadly based--from 46 states and 34 different railroads."
"Our members are an untapped resource," Inclima continued. "We need to ensure that rail employees and other first responders, such as firefighters, collaborate in emergencies. Our members are going to know best about how to approach a rail tunnel or rail yard and they can be an invaluable resource to all first responders."
The CRS sponsored a panel discussion about the report and panelists included: John Tolman, National Legislative Representative and Vice President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET); Thomas Williams, the mayor of Norwood, Ohio; Rick Inclima, Director of Safety and Education of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWED); and Wendell Davis, of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAF). Before the panel discussion, guest speakers Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and Rep. Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA) spoke about rail security and safety issues and the importance of training.
