NS hosts autism focused safety training for Georgia first responders

Norfolk Southern recently welcomed the House of Artists Foundation and Georgia Search & Rescue to its Atlanta headquarters for an autism‑focused safety training designed to support first responders during search‑and‑rescue missions involving autistic community members.

The annual session brought together nearly 60 first responders and agencies, including fire and police chiefs from across Georgia, for collaborative, scenario‑based learning.

Why it matters

Emergency situations involving autistic individuals can escalate quickly without proper awareness of communication differences, sensory sensitivities, and behavioral responses.

 This training helps equip first responders with practical tools to improve safety, reduce stress, and support better outcomes for individuals and families during high‑pressure moments.

What they learned

The session focused on real‑world do’s and don’ts, shared de‑escalation tactics, and sensory‑aware response strategies. Family storytelling was also a key component of the training, offering firsthand perspectives that reinforced the importance of patience, understanding, and compassion in emergency interactions.

The bigger picture

In addition to hosting the event, Norfolk Southern employees volunteered to assemble care kits for participating first responders to take back to their departments. The kits include Legos, coloring books, markers, and food gift cards — items designed to help comfort and calm autistic individuals during emergency responses.

The kit‑packing effort also drew participation from Norfolk Southern’s senior safety leadership. John Fleps, Vice President of Safety, and his team joined employees and volunteers as they assembled care kits for first responders—underscoring the company’s hands‑on commitment to safety, preparedness, and community partnership. 

The training was supported in part by a $10,000 Norfolk Southern Thriving Communities grant, reinforcing the company’s commitment to investing in programs that strengthen safety, preparedness, and inclusion across the communities it serves. We have partnered with House of Artists since 2023, providing over $36,000 in support to the organization since then. Additionally, we provided $2,500 to Georgia Emergency Search and Rescue through our Safety First Grant Program this year.

What we’re saying

“At Norfolk Southern, safety is a core value that extends beyond our operations and into the communities we serve and call home. We're honored to support our first responders with tools that help resolve stressful situations while protecting vulnerable individuals. Together, we’re helping create safer outcomes for everyone involved.” - Chief Safety Officer John Fleps

Kasandra Jenkins assists with external communications for Norfolk Southern, focusing on community impact, awards, and media relations. Kasandra joined NS in 2025, with more than 10 years of media relations, and corporate/crisis communications experience.