NS, RapidSOS roll out safety platform to aid first responders

Norfolk Southern Railway and RapidSOS yesterday unveiled a rail-safety solution designed to expand the availability of critical information for first responders in rare, significant incidents.

RapidSOS is an intelligent safety platform that securely links life-saving data from connected devices, apps and sensors directly to first responders. The new solution with NS is free to public safety agencies across the United States, NS officials said in a press release.

The solution provides first responders quick and easy access to cargo and hazardous material information and enables mutual aid requests. It also  provides ongoing training. The feature builds on similar programs available in the industry and evolves communication in a way that better integrates first responders, the way they work and how they communicate, NS officials said.

"When a rail incident occurs, seconds count. Through our partnership with RapidSOS, 911 call centers and first-responder agencies throughout our 22-state network will have faster access to the information they need to safeguard their response, save lives and protect the communities in which we operate,” said  John Fleps, NS vice president of safety.

In the event of a rail emergency, NS will initiate a digital emergency alert through RapidSOS, digitally transmitting critical information, the location of the incident and what the train is carrying to first responders. Also, the data:
• highlights any hazardous material the train may be carrying at the top;
• provides safe handling and emergency response guides for those materials; and
• can be shared via text or email from 911 to field responders and any mutual aid partners.