Norfolk Southern Safety Train helps Macon first responders prepare before emergencies happen

Top Takeaway: Norfolk Southern’s Safety Train in Macon, Georgia, gave local first responders hands-on rail safety training and an up-close look at railroad equipment, helping strengthen emergency preparedness and response in the communities we serve.

For three days this week, Norfolk Southern's Safety Train made a stop in Macon, Georgia, giving firefighters, hazmat teams, and emergency personnel the opportunity to get hands-on experience with railroad equipment they may encounter during an emergency response.

Hosted through Norfolk Southern's Operation Awareness & Response (OAR) program, the free training combined classroom instruction with practical exercises aboard specialized railcars, helping first responders build familiarity with railroad operations, tank cars, emergency-response procedures and rail-safety technology.

While rail incidents are rare, preparation remains essential. The Safety Train travels across Norfolk Southern's network each year to help strengthen relationships with first responders and ensure local agencies have the knowledge and resources needed to respond safely and effectively should an incident occur.

Hands-on learning

The training began with Railroad 101 instruction covering topics such as railroad safety, railcar identification, emergency communications, tank-car components and the AskRail mobile app, which provides emergency responders with critical railcar information during an incident. Participants then moved outside for guided exercises aboard the Safety Train, allowing them to put those lessons into practice.

"This is a rare opportunity for first responders to get an up-close look at actual rail equipment and get a clear understanding of what to be looking for and how to operate safely around railroad tracks," said Robert Wood, NS Director of Hazardous Materials.

For many attendees, the opportunity to work directly with rail equipment was one of the most valuable aspects of the training.

"Being able to identify what we're looking at when we arrive at a scene, whether it's a derailment or another rail-related incident, gives our first responders the knowledge and training they need to respond safely and effectively," said Captain Andrew Tye of the Macon-Bibb Fire Department.