NS: Shaw to testify before Senate panel, first-responder training center in works

Norfolk Southern Railway President and CEO Alan Shaw today will testify before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works to answer questions about the Class I’s Feb. 3 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and the company’s plans to improve safety.

In a prelude to his testimony, Shaw wrote an opinion piece that appeared in today’s Washington Post about the railroad’s ongoing cleanup of the derailment site, assistance to families affected by the derailment and its aftermath and plans to improve rail safety.

"As an initial step, we are strengthening our network of early-warning sensors. That means installing more safety devices along our tracks that identify overheated wheels and axles, and reducing the distances between them," Shaw wrote. "Together with other railroads, we will launch a deeper analysis of the billions of data points the existing sensors generate to improve our ability to predict problems and respond to alerts along our routes. And we will make our safety culture the best in the industry."

Shaw’s op-ed can be read here.

Meanwhile, NS yesterday announced it will create a regional training center for first responders in a yet-to-be-announced location in Ohio. The new center’s mission will be to provide additional, free training for first responders in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and the greater region. It will also strengthen coordination between railroads and first responders in the event of an emergency response, NS officials said in a press release.

Additionally, the Class I will expand its Operation Awareness & Response (OAR) program, which involves a safety train that travels within the railroad’s 22-state network to help first responders learn how to respond safely to rail incidents.

In 2023, the OAR program will make 12 stops, including four to be scheduled in Ohio. The train includes a dedicated locomotive, specially-equipped classroom box cars and several tank cars designed to provide hands-on training.

"First responders are often immediately on the scene of a rail incident, and we want to ensure they have the knowledge and tools to work safely and effectively to protect the health and safety of their fellow citizens," Shaw said.