In a bid to bolster the safety and efficiency of first responders, a new federal rule was finalized on Monday. This regulation is designed to ensure that emergency teams can ascertain the hazardous chemicals present on a derailed train almost immediately. The initiative is a significant step forward for public safety, addressing a critical gap in information accessibility during rail accidents. Tristan Brown, deputy administrator of the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, emphasized the importance of timely knowledge regarding hazardous materials. This allows first responders to consult the official government guidebook and equip themselves with the appropriate protective gear and firefighting tools.
Part of this endeavor is the AskRail app, developed by the largest freight railroads about a decade ago. This ingenious tool enables firefighters to swiftly look up the details of a train’s cargo. The app’s effectiveness has led regulators to advocate for its expanded access, including availability to 911 centers, to ensure that first responders receive pertinent information even faster. Over the past year, the railroads have been diligently working towards broadening the reach of this app, resulting in an estimated 2.3 million first responders now having access to this crucial data, as per the Association of American Railroads trade group.
The railroads’ commitment doesn’t stop there. The six largest railroads in North America have made train cargo information instantly available through the chemical industry’s hazardous materials hotlines in the U.S. and Canada, known as CHEMTREC and CANUTEC. These emergency call centers provide a vital service, ensuring that essential information is just a phone call away. However, the new federal rule also casts its net wider to include the numerous smaller railroads not involved in AskRail. This mandate means even railroads with minimal personnel must devise a plan to quickly relay cargo details to the local fire department, even if it’s as rudimentary as having the fire chief’s cell phone number on hand.
Moreover, the regulation stipulates that these plans must be tested at least once a year to ensure their effectiveness. The need for such a rule became glaringly apparent following recent derailments, which spurred a nationwide call for enhanced railroad safety. These incidents have led both Congress and regulators, including Pete Buttigieg, to press for more stringent measures to prevent future derailments.
Despite various advisories from the Federal Railroad Administration on different aspects of railroad operations, legislative reforms have encountered hurdles. Efforts in Congress have stalled due to a wait-and-see approach advocated by some Republicans, pending the final report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Nevertheless, regulators have managed to implement some changes, albeit with limited success.
Overall, the new federal rule represents a proactive stride towards safeguarding first responders and the public. By ensuring quick access to hazardous materials information, the rule aims to mitigate the risks posed by rail accidents and enhance the preparedness of emergency teams across the country.
By
