Safety Train prepares first responders in Birmingham

Apr 13, 2026

By Heather Garcia, Senior Communications Manager

From April 7–9, Norfolk Southern’s Safety Train rolled into Birmingham, Ala. for three days of hands-on learning aimed at one thing: helping first responders feel more prepared in the event they find themselves responding to a rail-related incident. Over the course of six sessions, firefighters and emergency personnel from around north-central Alabama took part in the free training offered through Norfolk Southern’s Operation Awareness & Response (OAR) program.

How it works:

The stop blended classroom instruction with time onboard the Safety Train, where responders could get up close to rail equipment they don’t see every day. Sessions focused on practical basics like how to safely work near tracks and how to recognize railcars and offered participants a chance to apply that knowledge in guided walk-throughs and demonstrations on the train.

Elliott Austin being interviewed by WVTM-TV in Birmingham, Alabama

In the room:

Departments represented included agencies from Birmingham, Helena, Decatur, Pelham, and more. The mix of agencies gave participants a chance to compare playbooks, align on approaches, and strengthen local coordination before an emergency ever happens.

Why it matters:

Rail incidents are rare, but when they do occur, familiarity with rail equipment, rail operations, and unique hazards can help. That’s why Norfolk Southern launched the Safety Train in 2015, giving emergency responders a clear, consistent foundation for working safely around the railroad across the company’s 22‑state network.

What’s next:

Birmingham is one of more than a dozen scheduled Safety Train stops planned across the network in 2026. The next stop is slated for Cleveland, Ohio April 21-23.

Heather Garcia serves as Sr. Communications Manager, Media Relations at Norfolk Southern, where she has worked since 2023.